Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 50

The Pirates made Hoglund a supplemental first-round pick (36th overall) in 2018, but the two sides had differing views of his post-Draft physical, which killed any chances of a deal. He instead opted to attend Mississippi, where he immediately joined the weekend rotation and emerged as one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference in 2020 and 2021. He had pitched himself into the top 10 picks of this year's Draft until he injured his elbow in May and required Tommy John surgery.

Hoglund's stuff plateaued in his first two college seasons, as he showed the same 89-93 mph riding fastball and average breaking ball that he had in high school. His stuff ticked up last fall, however, and he now works at 92-95 for five innings at a time and displays a tighter, harder slider at 84-86. His low-80s changeup serves as a solid third pitch and he can give batters a different look by dusting off a curveball he relied on more as a prepster. 

With a durable 6-foot-4 frame, an easy delivery and a history of quality strikes, Hoglund already had a high floor as a back-of-the-rotation starter. His improved stuff still could land him in the first round despite his elbow reconstruction. Multiple scouts have likened him to a bigger version of Tanner Burns, another SEC right-hander whom the Indians drafted 36th overall last June.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45

Originally selected 19th overall by the Blue Jays in the 2021 Draft, Hoglund was acquired by the A’s in 2022 as a key prospect in the return for Matt Chapman. Hoglund, who was injured for most of his A’s career and arrived in the trade still recovering from Tommy John surgery, finally got to a good place with his health in 2023. Making stops at Single-A Stockton, High-A Lansing and Double-A Midland, he combined for a 6.05 ERA in 16 starts with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 61 innings as the club closely monitored his workload.

There was a thought that Hoglund came to the A’s with arguably the best pure stuff of any pitcher in the organization. Since then, he has yet to regain the fastball velocity that sat around 95-96 mph pre-surgery, topping out at 92-93 last season. His repertoire also includes a slider around 83-84 mph as his main secondary pitch, while his low-80s changeup and curveball provide different looks against hitters.

The A’s still have hope for Hoglund to develop into a quality Major League starter, mainly for his ability to consistently throw strikes. Entering his second year removed from Tommy John, the A’s will wait and see whether his velocity can get back to where it was, which could help accelerate his path this season.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60 | Overall: 40

The A’s haven’t seen much of Hoglund, the 19th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, since acquiring him last year from Toronto as part of the return for Matt Chapman while he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Returning to the mound in July 2022, he logged just eight innings combined in the ACL and with Single-A Stockton before a biceps strain kept him out the rest of the season. The A’s hoped to finally get a good look at the right-hander in 2023, though he didn’t pitch until late May and was on a strict innings limit.

The pure stuff Hoglund possesses when healthy is rivaled by few in the A’s organization. It includes a fastball that sits 92-95 mph, though the velocity on the heater was a couple of ticks below that just before the biceps issue. He also brings a hard slider that he throws around 84-86 mph as his main secondary pitch, while his low-80s changeup and curveball are useful in providing a different look against hitters.

A quality strike-thrower with good stuff, all indications are that Hoglund has what it takes to develop into a starter, with a floor of a back-of-the-rotation type, though he'll need to get past the recent health issues. With his estimated arrival to the Majors continuously pushed back, it’s now going to be about patience for the A’s.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60 | Overall: 50

The Pirates made Hoglund a supplemental first-round pick (36th overall) in 2018, but the two sides had differing views of his post-Draft physical, which killed any chances of a deal. He instead opted to attend Mississippi, where he immediately joined the weekend rotation and emerged as one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference in 2020 and 2021. He had pitched himself into the top 10 picks of last year's Draft until he injured his elbow in May and required Tommy John surgery. The Jays were still happy to snag him with the 19th overall pick and went just under slot to sign him for $3.25 million this summer. He was finishing up his rehab in Blue Jays camp when he became the top prospect acquired in the package that sent Matt Chapman to Toronto.

Hoglund's stuff plateaued in his first two college seasons, as he showed the same 89- to 93-mph riding fastball and average breaking ball that he had in high school. His stuff ticked up last fall, however, and he now works at 92-95 for five innings at a time and displays a tighter, harder slider at 84-86. His low-80s changeup serves as a solid third pitch and he can give batters a different look by dusting off a curveball he relied on more as a prepster.

With a durable 6-foot-4 frame, an easy delivery and a history of quality strikes, Hoglund already had a high floor as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Multiple scouts have likened him to a bigger version of Tanner Burns, another SEC right-hander whom the Guardians drafted 36th overall last June. Now the A’s will have to be patient to see how his stuff and control returns from the surgery, but if it does, it’s possible they got a top-10 talent from last year’s Draft.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 50

The Pirates made Hoglund a supplemental first-round pick (36th overall) in 2018, but the two sides had differing views of his post-Draft physical, which killed any chances of a deal. He instead opted to attend Mississippi, where he immediately joined the weekend rotation and emerged as one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference in 2020 and 2021. He had pitched himself into the top 10 picks of this year's Draft until he injured his elbow in May and required Tommy John surgery. The Jays were still happy to snag him with the 19th overall pick and went just underslot to sign him for $3.25 million this summer. He was finishing up his rehab in Blue Jays camp when he was the top prospect acquired in the package that sent Matt Chapman to Toronto.

Hoglund's stuff plateaued in his first two college seasons, as he showed the same 89-93 mph riding fastball and average breaking ball that he had in high school. His stuff ticked up last fall, however, and he now works at 92-95 for five innings at a time and displays a tighter, harder slider at 84-86. His low-80s changeup serves as a solid third pitch and he can give batters a different look by dusting off a curveball he relied on more as a prepster. 

With a durable 6-foot-4 frame, an easy delivery and a history of quality strikes, Hoglund already had a high floor as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Multiple scouts have likened him to a bigger version of Tanner Burns, another SEC right-hander whom the Indians drafted 36th overall last June. Toronto will be patient to see how his stuff and control returns from the surgery, but if it does, it’s possible it got a top-10 talent in this year’s Draft.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

In a deep crop of talent in Florida, Hoglund had been a known commodity, one who participated in summer events like the Perfect Game National Showcase and East Coast Pro Showcase. But his name really started rising up boards with consistent performances right out of the gate this spring.

Big, strong and physical, Hoglund is also a basketball player in high school, as well as a solid hitter. The right-hander throws strikes with a three-pitch mix, pitching mostly off of his fastball, which he’ll throw anywhere in the 89-95 mph range. He throws his heater with good angle and plane, keeping it down in the zone. He does show an ability to spin a breaking ball, though he doesn’t always stay on top of it, which keeps it from having enough bite at times. He has feel for a changeup, though he doesn’t use it much. While he does come across his body a bit, that adds some deception and there’s ease in his delivery that points to good command in the future.

Hoglund’s size, stuff and athleticism should interest teams in the top three rounds, and there could be more in the tank as he focuses on pitching only. He is committed to Ole Miss should he not go the pro route.

Awards

MID Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
08/27/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/19/2024	Athletics selected the contract of RHP Gunnar Hoglund from Las Vegas Aviators.
	09/22/2024	Las Vegas Aviators activated RHP Gunnar Hoglund.
	08/28/2024	Las Vegas Aviators transferred RHP Gunnar Hoglund to the Development List.
	07/30/2024	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Las Vegas Aviators from Midland RockHounds.
	03/07/2024	Oakland Athletics Prospects activated RHP Gunnar Hoglund.
	09/16/2023	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Midland RockHounds from Lansing Lugnuts.
	08/22/2023	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Stockton Ports.
	05/29/2023	Stockton Ports activated RHP Gunnar Hoglund from the 7-day injured list.
	04/06/2023	Stockton Ports placed RHP Gunnar Hoglund on the 7-day injured list.
	09/30/2022	Stockton Ports activated RHP Gunnar Hoglund from the 7-day injured list.
	09/30/2022	Stockton Ports activated RHP Gunnar Hoglund from the 7-day injured list.
	08/01/2022	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Stockton Ports from Lansing Lugnuts.
	08/01/2022	Stockton Ports placed RHP Gunnar Hoglund on the 7-day injured list.
	07/23/2022	Lansing Lugnuts sent RHP Gunnar Hoglund on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
	04/08/2022	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Stockton Ports.
	03/17/2022	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Stockton Ports.
	03/16/2022	Oakland Athletics traded 3B Matt Chapman to Toronto Blue Jays for LHP Zach Logue, RHP Gunnar Hoglund, LHP Kirby Snead and SS Kevin Smith.
	07/16/2021	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to FCL Blue Jays.
	07/16/2021	Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Gunnar Hoglund.
	01/28/2021	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Ole Miss Rebels.
	01/28/2021	RHP Gunnar Hoglund assigned to Ole Miss Rebels.