Luke Hayden
RHP 6-1 206 Edgewood HS (IN)
11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -
153. Luke Hayden - RHP
Bio:
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R-R
Hometown: Bloomington, IN
School: Edgewood
92-94, has touched 95. Inconsistent, high spin fastball can get flat. Some effort in the delivery and head-whack, but has a good arsenal. Works an above average slider with good horizontal and power vertical tilt at 84-85. Also shows a slower curveball that is a work in progress. If fastball command improves, plenty of helium on this arm.
9-13-20 - pbr -
Hayden scuffled a bit with his command working deep into count across two innings, but still managed to record every out via strikeout. The right-hander possesses a physical, 6-foot, 195-pound frame with strength throughout, and utilizes maximum effort with each pitch. He worked predominantly 90-92 (2288-2549RPM) with the fastball while going to his usual 78-80 slider early and often. With a “bulldog” mentality and competitive nature, Hayden refuses to give into hitters, and looks to overpower them with a quick, strong arm. This being the first outing of the fall, the sharpness of his stuff and ability to tunnel the breaking ball, which took more slurve shape that the usual slider, will likely return in coming weeks, albeit with continued relieverish look.
*Luke Hayden (R)
6’1’’ 206
Edgewood HS- Bloomington, IN
Luke Hayden is a pitcher that I am particularly high on when looking towards the 2021 draft. At 6’1 206, he is built strong, particularly in his lower half. Hayden tops out at around 95 on the gun right now, and should pick up a couple more MPHs as he gets his man muscles (would like to see him maintain a similar weight range but flip some bulk for muscle). The Bloomington, Indiana native gets a lot out of his back leg drive when throwing, and has a very lively arm and back side creating a ton of torque.
What I like most about Hayden though, is that his current mechanical weakness may end up being his ultimate strength. Simply put, his stride is shorter than it can be. As a fan of low approach angles, which result in less barreled baseballs in this launch angle crazed era, a low approach angle is key. When assessing Hayden, the idea that he is an arm already hitting 95 (from a 17 year old no less) without the use of the full force he can generate going downhill is exciting. The fact that he is already trending toward being a 3rd or 4th round type of selection with his smaller stride means he is doing a lot of other things right. His breaking stuff is plus (slider is elite), and he seems to be a well demeanored kid (student of the game).
After watching a lot of his tape, I observed that the last little bit that he can get out of that stride may not be there now due to a lack of flexibility in the groin muscles. This can be easily rectified post draft through the introduction of a flexibility program. If said flexibility can be added, Hayden could project out really well, as his potential is undeniable.
PG -
Luke Hayden is a 2021 RHP/2B with a 6-1 205 lb. frame from Bloomington, IN who attends Edgewood. Strong physical square shouldered build. Works from the stretch with a tight and compact arm action and a 3/4's release slot, gets lots of lower half drive to the plate. Fastball topped out at 95 mph, some late run and sink down in the zone. Slider is his pitch, up to 85 mph with power and tightness to go with a high spin rate, commands his slider better than his fastball and has confidence in the pitch, got some weak swings and takes on sliders. Developing change up from a lower release slot. Slider is a difference maker, continued improvement in his fastball command and change up will be key in his future development.
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