Scouting Report

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

The second tier of Texas high school pitchers includes several Texas Tech recruits, with Hampton ranking as the best of a group that also includes right-handers Marco Raya (United South High, Laredo) and Levi Wells (LaPorte High). As a junior, Hampton led Kilgore to the state 4-A semifinals. He showed improved stuff this spring and looked like a third- or fourth-rounder on his best days.

Hampton can show a 91-93 mph fastball that tops out at 95 with four-seam, riding action, and there also are games when he works more at 88-91. His curveball similarly fluctuates in quality, ranging from a near-plus offering with depth to a looser version. His changeup displays some fade and should improve as he uses it more often. 

Hampton's arm works fine and he has cleaned up his three-quarters delivery some since last summer, so he should throw enough strikes to start. Like many high school pitchers, his control is more advanced than his command and he'll have to learn to locate his pitches better at the next level. If he doesn't turn pro, scouts believe he can contribute immediately at Texas Tech.

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

Hampton overcame a midseason bout with salmonella poisoning as a Draft-eligible sophomore in 2022 to match or set his career high in strikeouts in each of his last four starts for Texas Tech and pushed his fastball to 99 mph against Notre Dame in the NCAA regionals. The Yankees excel at finding pitching value in the middle rounds and grabbed him in the sixth round, signing him for an over-slot $497,500. He dominated High-A and held his own in Double-A during his 2023 pro debut, posting a 145/37 K/BB ratio in 106 2/3 innings, but missed the first three months of this season with elbow discomfort.

Hampton's fastball sits at 92-94 mph and usual peaks around 97, but what makes it special is its high spin rates and flat approach angle, producing well-above-average carry. His tight low-80s slider gives him a second plus pitch, and New York has helped him add an upper-80s cutter that is nearly as effective. He also can spin a solid curveball in the upper 70s but has yet to show much feel for a fading changeup that's often too firm in the upper 80s.

His long arm action and low release point create deception without hampering Hampton's control. Not only can he throw four quality pitches for strikes, but he also sequences them well. He has the upside of a No. 3 starter and will be able to help the Yankees as soon as he fine-tunes his command.

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

Hampton flashed third-round talent as a Texas high-schooler in 2020, but the pandemic cut his senior season short and didn't give him enough time to attract interest from pro teams to divert him from attending Texas Tech. Eligible again as a 21-year-old sophomore in 2022, he overcame a midseason bout with salmonella poisoning to match his career high for strikeouts in each of his last four outings, fanning 37 in 21 2/3 innings and pushing his fastball to 99 mph against Notre Dame in the NCAA regionals. New York selected him in the sixth round and signed him for an over-slot $497,500. 

Hampton's fastball usually works at 91-95 mph and plays as at least a plus pitch with high spin rates, well above-average carry and some armside run. He has nice feel for spinning the ball, with both his upper-70s curveball and tight low-80s slider eliciting plenty of swings and misses and showing the potential to be plus offerings. He complements those three weapons with a fading changeup that's too firm in the mid-80s.

The Yankees like Hampton's starter traits and he looks another mid-round find along the lines of Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Will Warren and Richard Fitts. With his ability to mix multiple quality pitches and throw them for strikes, he advanced to Double-A two months into his first full pro season. He has a strong 6-foot-2 build and a delivery with a long arm action and a relatively low release point. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/26/2024	Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton from the 7-day injured list.
	07/30/2024	Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton from the 60-day injured list.
	07/30/2024	Somerset Patriots placed RHP Chase Hampton on the 7-day injured list.
	07/30/2024	Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton from the 60-day injured list.
	07/30/2024	Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton from the 60-day injured list.
	07/09/2024	Somerset Patriots sent RHP Chase Hampton on a rehab assignment to Tampa Tarpons.
	07/01/2024	Somerset Patriots sent RHP Chase Hampton on a rehab assignment to FCL Yankees.
	05/04/2024	Somerset Patriots transferred RHP Chase Hampton from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	04/05/2024	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to Somerset Patriots.
	03/07/2024	New York Yankees Prospects activated RHP Chase Hampton.
	02/06/2024	New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP Chase Hampton to spring training.
	09/22/2023	Somerset Patriots activated RHP Chase Hampton.
	08/29/2023	Somerset Patriots transferred RHP Chase Hampton to the Development List.
	06/15/2023	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to Somerset Patriots from Hudson Valley Renegades.
	04/02/2023	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to Hudson Valley Renegades from FCL Yankees.
	02/27/2023	RHP Chase Hampton roster status changed by New York Yankees.
	02/27/2023	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to New York Yankees.
	08/09/2022	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to FCL Yankees.
	07/26/2022	New York Yankees signed RHP Chase Hampton.
	06/11/2022	RHP Chase Hampton and assigned to College Workout.
	02/08/2022	RHP Chase Hampton and assigned to Texas Tech Red Raiders.
	02/01/2021	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to Texas Tech Red Raiders.
	02/01/2021	RHP Chase Hampton assigned to Texas Tech Red Raiders.