Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

After Canadian COVID protocols limited him as an NAIA arm out of the University of British Columbia, Hawkins needed a standout performance in the MLB Draft League in 2021 to jump into the ninth round to the Padres that same summer. He dominated Single-A a year later, posting a 3.94 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings in the hitter-friendly California League, and made a quick trip to High-A to close out his first full season. Hawkins returned to Fort Wayne for four starts in 2023 but was limited by oblique and forearm strains and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in August.

When he was on the mound, Hawkins flashed a 92-95 mph fastball from his tall 6-foot-5 frame, and his high release point and large extension helped the heater play above its velo. Hawkins’ mid-80s changeup had the makings of a potential above-average pitch with good separation off the fastball, and that helped him post reverse splits in 2022 (though that trend reverted to norms during his brief 2023 run). His slider lacked consistent shape, making it a distinct third pitch.

Hawkins is capable of pumping in strikes when not injured or fatigued, and that’s all the more notable for someone his size. He needed a deeper arsenal before getting hurt, and the timing of the elbow surgery means he’ll miss needed in-season development in 2024. Considering he turns 25 next February, Hawkins could be a quick climber as a two-pitch reliever upon his return.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

Canadian COVID protocols meant that Hawkins had a limited NAIA career at the University of British Columbia. His path took a trip to Trenton in the MLB Draft League, putting him on the radar in 2021, and he did so with a 2.63 ERA and 32/2 K/BB ratio in 24 frames. The Padres made him a ninth-round pick that July, signed him for $75,000 and moved him straight to full-season ball a year later. Hawkins dominated at Single-A Lake Elsinore, leading the California League with a 16.7 percent swinging-strike rate but was humbled with a move to High-A Fort Wayne (8.80 ERA, 2.09 WHIP in 15 innings).

The 6-foot-5 right-hander owns a 92-95 mph fastball that explodes up in the zone from his high delivery point and tall frame. That helps it play above its already solid velocity, and Single-A hitters stood no chance. His mid-80s changeup plays well off the fastball with the way it drops late off anyone thinking they’re getting the high heat, and it was a big reason why lefties posted just a .661 OPS against him (compared to .830 for righties). He also shows a slider, but it isn’t nearly as close to the other two.

Hawkins has a history of throwing strikes, and while that control backed up on him at High-A, that may have been the result of fatigue at the end of a long season. The bigger concern might be his lack of a quality third pitch, and that will determine whether he can find a spot in the back end of a Major League rotation or is better utilized as a two-weapon reliever. He made four starts back in Fort Wayne to begin 2023 before an oblique and forearm strain moved him to the IL, stopping his development chances for a time this summer.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45

Coming out of an NAIA program at the University of British Columbia, Hawkins didn’t get to pitch much in school ahead of the 2021 Draft because of pandemic protocols north of the border. He joined Trenton in the MLB Draft League instead and impressed with a 2.63 ERA, 32 strikeouts and only two walks in 24 innings. The Padres liked what they saw there and scooped up Hawkins in the ninth round and signed him for roughly half slot at $75,000. Hawkins has pitched at Single-A Lake Elsinore in his first full season and pitched seven innings of a July 1 no-hitter.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander sits around 92-94 mph with his fastball and can touch a little higher when he needs to rear back. The heater plays well up in the zone, eliciting its fair share of swings and misses. It plays especially well against a mid-80s changeup that divebombs below the bat of any hitter sitting on the heat. The verticality of those two offerings play up even more because Hawkins throws from an over-the-top slot that, along with significant extension from his tall frame, puts him right on top of hitters. A slider offers another look but lags behind the other two offerings.

Despite his size, Hawkins has always had a reputation as a strike thrower, and that’s continued into pro ball. Don’t read too much into his opening assignment as he works to make up for the time he lost as an amateur. His high swinging-strike rate (the best among Padres full-season pitchers entering August) speaks to his impressive start and adds to the hope that he could be a ninth-round steal as a back-end starter.

Awards

CAL Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
07/2022
04/2022

CAL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
07/03/2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/03/2024	Fort Wayne TinCaps activated RHP Garrett Hawkins from the 60-day injured list.
	03/20/2024	Fort Wayne TinCaps placed RHP Garrett Hawkins on the 60-day injured list.
	11/06/2023	Fort Wayne TinCaps activated RHP Garrett Hawkins from the 60-day injured list.
	07/08/2023	Fort Wayne TinCaps transferred RHP Garrett Hawkins from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	05/09/2023	Fort Wayne TinCaps placed RHP Garrett Hawkins on the 7-day injured list.
	03/17/2023	RHP Garrett Hawkins and assigned to San Diego Padres.
	08/09/2022	RHP Garrett Hawkins assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Lake Elsinore Storm.
	08/09/2022	Fort Wayne TinCaps placed RHP Garrett Hawkins on the 7-day injured list.
	04/07/2022	RHP Garrett Hawkins assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
	08/12/2021	RHP Garrett Hawkins assigned to ACL Padres.
	07/19/2021	San Diego Padres signed RHP Garrett Hawkins.
	07/05/2021	RHP Garrett Hawkins and assigned to College Workout.
	05/21/2021	RHP Garrett Hawkins assigned to Trenton Thunder.
	09/13/2017	RHP Garrett Hawkins assigned to Prairies-Purple.