Scouting Report

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

The Tigers benefited from several pitching prospects graduating to Detroit last year, but defining the next wave was difficult. Then came Hamm, Detroit’s fifth-round pick from the 2023 Draft after a solid but unspectacular career at Middle Tennessee State. The Tigers signed him for below slot, had him throw more high fastballs, worked with him on developing a slider, then saw him dominate hitters at High-A West Michigan for his first full pro season. He posted a 0.96 ERA, .188 batting average and 51-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first 10 outings before hitters began to adjust. He seemed to wear down over the home stretch but still finished with impressive ratios of 11.1 K/9 and 6.6 H/9.

Hamm doesn’t look imposing at 6-foot-1, but his high arm angle allows his fastball to play up at the top of the zone. His velocity sat 92-95 mph in 2024 but has been down a few ticks (while maintaining the elite ride) while he's worked around an IL stint this summer. While the high heaters set up his buckling curveball, his slider has more horizontal movement than vertical, going in on left-handed hitters and away from righties. His changeup works as an occasional look but has upside. While he has the stuff and command to get through a lineup multiple times, the physical riggers of his first full pro season took their toll on his fastball and set him off-balance.

Hamm has the range and grasp of pitches to reach the big leagues, but how he maintains his pitches over a full season could determine whether he slots in as a starter or eventually moves into the bullpen. The 2025 velocity dip puts that into greater question.

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

Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 218 Draft prospect last year, Hamm was getting top-three-round interest early on as a junior starter at Middle Tennessee State, but he faded down the stretch, causing his stock to slip some. The Tigers selected him in the fifth round -- making him the second-highest pitcher picked in school history -- and signed him for below slot at $397,500. The former Blue Raider struck out 11 in 11 scoreless innings at Single-A Lakeland in his Draft year, was promoted to High-A West Michigan for his first full season and instantly became the Midwest League Pitcher of the Month in April.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander gets long on the backside of his delivery before throwing the ball from a high release point. His 92-95 mph fastball averaged 20.3 inches of induced vertical break during his Florida State League spin last year. He can wear out the top of the zone with the heater and then bury an 78-82 mph curveball that drops off the table and gets some funny swings. His mid-80s changeup has been a point of improvement in 2024, and he’s been working on adding a slider to provide another dynamic in his repertoire. 

Hamm showed spottier command in college, but his control has been solid in his first full season. Getting so much swing-and-miss up with the fastball and low with the curveball has helped keep those walk totals in check, and that’ll be tested the higher he climbs. That two-pitch combo has already made him one of the most interesting arms in the Detroit system.

Video scouting report »

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

Hard-throwing Eriq Swan was the main attraction at Middle Tennessee State's scout day last fall, but evaluators also stumbled upon Hamm, who touched 97 mph and showed a big-breaking curveball. A hot start to the season that included a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts against Evansville built up momentum that could have carried him into the top three rounds, but he struggled in the second half. He still could surpass big leaguer Zac Curtis (sixth round, 2014) as the second-highest drafted pitcher in school history, behind only Dewon Brazelton (No. 3 overall, 2001). 

Hamm's best pitch is a 78-82 mph curveball with good depth, though there are days when he struggles to land it for strikes. His fastball sat at 91-93 mph and peaked at 96 this spring, showing good carry at times but getting hammered when he worked lower in the zone. His low-80s changeup lacks consistency as well. 

Hamm's control and command fluctuated throughout his junior season, and he struggles to locate his pitches when he gets under the ball in his delivery. Though he's mostly a finished product, he looks like a three-pitch starter with a solid fastball and a plus curveball when he's on. His curve and competitiveness could make him a useful bullpen piece if he can't stick in the rotation. 

Awards

Baseball America High Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2024

MID Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

MID Pitcher of the Year

Year	Team
2024

MID Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
04/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/08/2025	Erie SeaWolves activated RHP Jaden Hamm from the 7-day injured list.
	07/22/2025	Erie SeaWolves sent RHP Jaden Hamm on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	07/22/2025	sent RHP Jaden Hamm on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	06/26/2025	Erie SeaWolves placed RHP Jaden Hamm on the 7-day injured list.
	06/26/2025	Erie SeaWolves placed RHP Jaden Hamm on the 7-day injured list.
	04/02/2025	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to Erie SeaWolves from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	03/30/2025	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to Erie SeaWolves from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	03/06/2025	activated RHP Jaden Hamm.
	03/27/2024	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	08/20/2023	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from FCL Tigers.
	08/20/2023	Lakeland Flying Tigers activated RHP Jaden Hamm.
	07/29/2023	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to FCL Tigers.
	07/14/2023	Detroit Tigers signed RHP Jaden Hamm.
	06/15/2023	RHP Jaden Hamm assigned to College Workout.