Ben Hess

School: Alabama
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.

Hess is an extra-large righthander with a 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame and big velocity. He pitched in parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons for Alabama but was limited by injuries before turning in his first fully healthy season in 2024. In 15 starts this year, he posted a 5.80 ERA in 68.1 innings with a 34.8% strikeout rate and 11.5% walk rate. That walk rate was much higher than scouts hoped or expected to see and was particularly an issue as he tried to navigate Southeastern Conference competition. Hess has a fastball that sits around 94 mph and has been up to 98-99 with above-average riding life. He complements it with three different secondary pitches. Hess’ mid-80s slider has traditionally been his go-to breaking ball. When executed properly, the pitch features two-plane break and solid depth, but his location of the offering was inconsistent this spring. Hess also throws a mid-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape and solid depth and a mid-80s changeup with lots of armside life. Like his slider, Hess’ changeup was another pitch he showed less feel for in 2024 compared to his previous years with Alabama. Hess’ four-pitch mix, strong frame and relatively easy delivery give him a chance to start, though he’ll need to rediscover some of the control that he flashed in previous years to do so.