IP | 56 |
---|---|
ERA | 5.46 |
WHIP | 1.75 |
BB/9 | 4.18 |
SO/9 | 5.3 |
- Full name Juan Maurice Hillman
- Born 05/15/1997 in Winter Haven, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Olympia
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Drafted in the 2nd round (59th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2015 (signed for $825,000).
View Draft Report
In the last three years, Nick Gordon, Jesse Winker and Walker Weickel have all been drafted in the first 55 picks out of Olympia High School. This year, Hillman has a chance to join that group after starring for a team that began the year 25-0. Hillman transferred to Olympia for his sophomore year of high school. He has lived with Gordon since then and Tom Gordon, the former all-star and Nick's father, became his legal guardian. Hillman credits Gordon's tutelage for many of the strides he's made in the last few years. Hillman saw his velocity tick up last summer, as his fastball sat around 90 mph and touched 92. He hasn't pitched with that kind of fastball consistently this spring, more typically sitting 86-89 mph. His breaking ball looked better over the summer, when scouts thought it might develop into a plus offering, but it was inconsistent this spring. His changeup has always been ahead of his curve and earns above-average grades. There remains room for projection in Hillman's 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, particularly because he didn't turn 18 until May. He has good athleticism, a quick arm and a clean delivery, making it easy to dream on his potential. He is committed to Central Florida.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Before his sophomore year of high school, Hillman moved in with Tom Gordon, the former all-star righthander and the father of Hillman's prep teammate Nick Gordon. Tom became Hillman's legal guardian and mentor, and the lefthander credits their relationship for many of the strides he made during high school as he developed into a 2015 second-round pick. The Indians took things slowly with Hillman and assigned him to short-season Mahoning Valley in 2016, where he started strong before fading in the final month of the season. Early in the summer, Hillman's fastball sat 90-92 mph but backed up a tick later in the season. His changeup continues to be his best secondary pitch, but his curveball showed improvement and he can throw it for strikes. He has the makings of three average pitches with average control. He has good athleticism, a clean delivery and some projectability, giving evaluators plenty to dream on. Hillman's struggles at the end of the season illustrate his need to improve his stamina to withstand the rigors of a full pro season, as is the case with most teenagers. That will take on greater importance as he advances to low Class A Lake County in 2017. -
Hillman transferred to the Orlando powerhouse Olympia High for his sophomore year of high school. At the same time, Tom Gordon, the former all-star righthander and father of 2014 Olympia grad Nick Gordon, became his legal guardian and mentor. Hillman credits Gordon's tutelage for many of the strides that he's made in the last few years, leading him to become the fourth Olympia grad in four years to be drafted in the top 60 picks. Hillman saw his velocity and breaking ball tick up on the showcase circuit in 2014, but he was unable to consistently repeat those performances during his senior season. He more typically threw his fastball at 86-89 mph, instead of sitting around 90 and touching 92. His changeup always has been ahead of his curve and earns above-average grades, while his breaking ball has a chance to be an average offering. There remains room for projection in Hillman's 6-foot-2, 183-pound frame, particularly because he'll still be 18 on Opening Day in 2016. He has good athleticism, a quick arm and a clean delivery, making it possible to dream on his potential. Hillman will likely begin his first full season at low Class A Lake County, alongside fellow Florida prep pitcher and 2015 draftee Triston McKenzie.
Draft Prospects
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In the last three years, Nick Gordon, Jesse Winker and Walker Weickel have all been drafted in the first 55 picks out of Olympia High School. This year, Hillman has a chance to join that group after starring for a team that began the year 25-0. Hillman transferred to Olympia for his sophomore year of high school. He has lived with Gordon since then and Tom Gordon, the former all-star and Nick's father, became his legal guardian. Hillman credits Gordon's tutelage for many of the strides he's made in the last few years. Hillman saw his velocity tick up last summer, as his fastball sat around 90 mph and touched 92. He hasn't pitched with that kind of fastball consistently this spring, more typically sitting 86-89 mph. His breaking ball looked better over the summer, when scouts thought it might develop into a plus offering, but it was inconsistent this spring. His changeup has always been ahead of his curve and earns above-average grades. There remains room for projection in Hillman's 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, particularly because he didn't turn 18 until May. He has good athleticism, a quick arm and a clean delivery, making it easy to dream on his potential. He is committed to Central Florida.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Indians went for young pitchers with their first three draft picks in 2015, signing second-rounder Hillman for $825,000. As a high school student athlete, he lived with former big league pitcher Tom Gordon, who eventually became Hillman's legal guardian. Hillman has an athletic body with plenty of projection. His fastball, which sits in the high 80s to low 90s, needs a velocity bump as he gets stronger. The pitch mostly is straight with a little tail, and he does a good job of hitting spots. He has good feel for an above-average changeup, and the curveball taught to him by Gordon has spin. Hillman has good athleticism, a quick arm and a clean delivery, though he still has room for improvement with his mechanics. He commands his pitches and shows good poise on the mound. "He has a pretty good plan and sticks to it," Indians manager Anthony Medrano said.