A fifth-round Draft pick in 2014 out of Tennessee Tech, Hess made steady progress early in his career while reaching Double-A in his first full season. Though he struggled the following year over a full season in the Eastern League, Hess rebounded in his return to the level in 2017, posting a 3.85 ERA and logging a career-high 154 1/3 innings, and the Orioles added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
Hess attacks the zone from an over-the-top slot that helps him achieve downhill plane with a fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph and usually sits around 93. Both his slider and curveball are average offerings, with the former currently grading ahead of the latter, though he can get caught between them at times. He also has a serviceable changeup that plays against left-handed hitters and demonstrates average control of his four-pitch mix.
Questions remain about whether Hess, with his high-effort delivery and lack of an out pitch, can remain a starter. It's long been thought that his stuff would play up in short bursts out of the bullpen, where his fastball-breaking ball pairing could make him a force against right-handed hitters. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 1752 335 30 9.0 87.9 18.0 .245 .450 .350 .330 .356 34.6 16.3 8.1 2019 1430 265 35 13.2 91.5 17.4 .304 .607 .390 .397 .464 49.4 18.6 8.2 ALL 3182 600 65 10.8 89.5 17.7 .271 .520 .367 .360 .404 41.2 17.3 8.2 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Hit By Pitch Year HBP Rank 2018 8 17th in AL Losses Year Losses Rank 2019 10 20th in AL 2018 10 19th in AL Home Runs Year HR Rank 2019 28 18th in AL Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/03/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled RHP David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 08/08/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 07/29/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 07/14/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 07/13/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 07/08/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 07/06/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 06/17/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 07/25/2018 Baltimore Orioles recalled RHP David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 07/06/2018 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 05/20/2018 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 05/13/2018 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 05/12/2018 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 04/16/2018 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 04/15/2018 Baltimore Orioles recalled David Hess from Norfolk Tides. 03/09/2018 Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP David Hess to Norfolk Tides. 11/20/2017 Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of David Hess from Bowie Baysox. 02/27/2017 RHP David Hess assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 03/02/2016 RHP David Hess assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 09/01/2015 RHP David Hess assigned to Bowie Baysox from Frederick Keys. 04/06/2015 RHP David Hess assigned to Frederick Keys from Delmarva Shorebirds. 03/29/2015 RHP David Hess assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 08/21/2014 RHP David Hess assigned to Delmarva Shorebirds from Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/28/2014 RHP David Hess assigned to Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/12/2014 Baltimore Orioles signed RHP David Hess.
