Then & Now: Bryce Hubbart, Florida State
February 22, 2022
THEN- OCTOBER 2017: Bryce Hubbart currently stands 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a lean, athletic build. Repeatable, up-up tempo wind up with a big leg kick for his delivery. Quick arm throwing out of the high ¾ slot. Works with a good pace and located his fastball down in the zone at 85-87 mph, touching 88 with run. Shows a feel for the curveball that had a hard 12/6 break with depth that he threw for strikes at 71-73 mph while also mixing in a 75-76 mph changeup. Athletic and can really pitch.
NOW- FEBRUARY 2022: After dominating the Cape Cod League last summer with a 0.71 WHIP, .135 BAA, and 13.06 SO/9, Hubbart continues to build momentum towards the top round. His five inning, 13 strikeout performance against JMU further solidified an ever-improving draft resume. His raw stuff doesn’t jump off the page, but the lefty checks boxes for generating whiffs with his fastball. His above average spin rate (2325 rpm) creates plus movement, and above average Hop and Rise generated from the unique ability to create more backspin than side spin. Velocity (89-93 mph) with these pitch characteristics makes matching the plane of the pitch extremely tough for hitters. His fastball generated an eye opening 37% whiff rate against James Madison.
Hubbart also uses his elite curveball and slider spin rates (2700-2900 rpm) to manipulate movement vertically and horizontally, keeping hitters off balance and getting them to chase. His slider sat 79-81 mph with sharp, sweeping action while the curve worked 74-76 mph with good depth. Listed at 6-foot-1 with a medium build, an athletic delivery and easy arm action, he showed excellent feel for his arsenal and worked quickly and aggressively with confidence and poise.
Currently, Hubbart looks the part of a mid-second rounder or supplemental pick and could continue to grow his stock as he builds off his incredible summer and eye-popping opening weekend performance.