Prep Baseball Report

Top 10 Profiles of 2021: No. 7 Ben Hess


By: Peter Hamot
Area Scout

Alabama RHP Ben Hess comes in at No. 7 for the most viewed profiles of 2021. On September 3, 2020, Hess took over the No. 1 spot in the Illinois '22 rankings and never looked back, remaining in the No. 1 position throughout the rest of his high school career. 

Currently at the University of Alabama, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander has all the makings of a legit power arm. With a four-seamer living in the low- to mid-90s, Hess possesses one of the most electric fastballs in state prior to graduating. The separator in Hess' repertoire is his ability to spin the breaking ball, using both a curveball (T2495 rpm) and a slider (T2345 rpm) to pair off his fastball effectively. Hess also features a power changeup, thrown at 82-85 mph and flashing plus sink/fade at times. With his polished four-pitch mix, Hess offers the ability to fit into multiple roles at the next level.  

The Charleston graduate has long been one of the most exciting players to watch in all of Illinois prep baseball. Now in the SEC, Hess will look to add depth to an already loaded Crimson Tide pitching staff.

Ben Hess

Class of 2021 / RHP

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2021
  • Primary Position: RHP
  • High School: Charleston
    State: IL
  • Summer Team: 17U RakeCity
  • Height: 6-5
    Weight: 220lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
94
Max FB
(06/25/20)
92 - 93
FB
(06/25/20)
66 - 72
CB
79 - 80
CH
(07/07/20)
78 - 79
SL
(07/07/20)
Pitching
Max FB
79
FB
75 - 79
CB
64 - 66
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
90 - 92
CH
79 - 80
SL
78 - 79
Pitching
Max FB
94
FB
92 - 93
Pitching
Max FB
88
FB
86 - 88
CH
74 - 76
SL
76 - 78
Pitching
Max FB
85
FB
83 - 85
CH
74 - 76
SL
73 - 75
Pitching
Max FB
84
FB
81 - 84
CB
66 - 72
CH
71 - 73
Pitching
Max FB
84
FB
82 - 83
CH
64 - 69
SL
65 - 67
Position
8.52
60-yard
(01/27/18)
82
INF Velo
83
Exit Velo
5.01
H-1st
Position
60-yard
8.52
INF Velo
82
Exit Velo
83
Trackman - Fastball
92.6
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
90.0 - 92.5
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
90.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
2146
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
2062
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
Zone %
(07/07/20)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
92.6
Velo Range
90 - 92.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
90.7
Spin Rate (max)
2146
Spin Rate (avg)
2062
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Slider
79.3
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
78.9 - 79.3
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
77.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
2234
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
2191
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
79.3
Velo Range
78.9 - 79.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
77.1
Spin Rate (max)
2234
Spin Rate (avg)
2191
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Trackman - ChangeUp
80.3
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
78.7 - 80.2
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
78.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
1686
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
1613
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
Zone %
(07/07/20)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
80.3
Velo Range
78.7 - 80.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
78.8
Spin Rate (max)
1686
Spin Rate (avg)
1613
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(07/07/20)
Rise+
(07/07/20)
Sink+
(07/07/20)
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
Pitch Scores - Slider
Hammer+
(07/07/20)
Sweep+
(07/07/20)
Pitch Scores - Slider
Hammer+
Sweep+

Scouting Report

6/26/21

Verbally committed to Alabama.

5/08/21

Currently ranked No. 1 in Illinois and No. 133 overall. Is coming off a pars fracture in his back and looked to be 100% in a recent 40-pitch bullpen with live at-bats mixed in. His 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame continues to lengthen out and looks even more impressive since our last look. Showed a well above-average four-pitch mix throughout. Fluid tall and fall delivery, repeatable, on-line and lands front toe slightly closed. Free-flowing, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, ultra-quick out front. Fastball which sat mostly 93-95 mph throughout, plays with life, late arm-side-run and occasional sink. Control over command in this showing. Ability to get carry with his fastball at times at the top of the zone at times. Curveball, 75-77 mph (2480-2495 rpm) flashed swing-and-miss action; thrown aggressively, sharp, late action off an 11/5 plane; has a chance to be a swing-and-miss offering at the next level.  Slider is thrown with same intent, feel, 10/4 shape and late, sharp action, 80-82 mph, 2200-2345 rpm. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed, intent to locate at the bottom of the zone and flashed plus sink and fade at times; 83-85 mph. 


Videos

(5/8/21)

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