By Frankie Piliere

The scouting road has been taking me all over creation of late, but I return to you with a scouting report on Old Dominion junior RHP Dan Hudson.

Hudson had huge buzz building behind him as I went to see him for the first time in the Cape Cod League. He was a guy that was popping up on everyone’s watch list after a fast start in which he piled up huge strikeout numbers. But, when I got to see him, and saw him again and again, I came away unconvinced that the buzz was warranted.

Granted, I think Hudson, a pitcher with a strikeout slider out of Old Dominion, is a very legitimate prospect but not the type of pitcher he was being heralded as early last summer. Needless to say, Hudson has faltered this spring despite posting, once again, huge strikeout numbers and having a sturdy 6′4, 215 lb frame.

And, I think that will allow a team to grab a very solid relief pitching prospect (which I think is where he belongs) somewhere in the 5th or 6th round. Bottom line: he’s not as good as originally hyped to be but much better than what he’s shown this spring. Find out more in his scouting report after the jump…

Dan Hudson, RHP, Harwich Mariners (Old Dominion)

Pitch - Present/Future Grades

Fastball - 45/50

Slider - 60/60

Curveball - 35/35

Changeup - 45/45

Command - 50/50

Physical Description - Extra large, thick frame. Definitely some projection left, has room to muscle up his lower half. Physically mature with wide shoulders and long arms.

Fastball - 87-89 MPH, reportedly was throwing a couple ticks harder. Looked uncomfortable in outings attended. Not overpowering in this effort but late life allows him to still miss bats. Must work ahead, however, because his pure velocity isn’t enough to beat hitters inside. Doesn’t hold velocity in mid-late innings. Looks like a future reliever.

Slider - Hard, 75-77 MPH breaking ball. A legitimate plus pitch, throws with conviction and can spot it in just about any count. Relies heavily on it. True slider with hard, tight, two plane break. Devastating against righties. Sometimes falls in love with it, hitters appear to sit on it. Must develop some complimentary pitches. Plus pitch.

Curveball - Slow 72-75 MPH curveball. Telegraphs it. Changes arm angle to a more over the top slight, giving it away very quickly. Lacks snap and hangs it up in the zone. Not confident in this pitch. Not an effective pitch, should consider bagging it.

Changeup - 76-78, lacks feel for this pitch. Good fade due to arm angle but can’t throw it for strikes. Only uses it when he’s way ahead and buries it. Needs this pitch versus lefties. Often turns it over.

Mechanics - Has a lot of flaws. Doesn’t drive towards the plate. Spins off his front foot towards first base. Very deceptive on righties but his changing arm angles on breaking pitches makes him very inconsistent in terms of command. Weight rushes towards home plate. Pitches from a low-3/4 arm angle. Very deceptive. Not a clean arm motion, arm straightens out far behind his back. Doesn’t use lower half, could be a serious injury risk. Extra quick arm.

Notes - Tough on righties but struggles versus lefties. Needs an improved changeup or another weapon to be an effective starter. Works quickly, probably too quickly. Has mechanical flaws, if fixed, could greatly improve velocity. Definite upside. Good all around athlete. Needs to change speeds more. More of a thrower right now with some plus stuff, must become more of a pitcher.

Adjusted Overall Future Potential: 51
Present Group: P, Future Group: D
Projected Role: Middle Reliever
Draft Projection: 5th-6th round pick
Overall Comparison: Paul Quantrill (taller version)

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