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Sam Hentges

Sam Hentges

P | B/T: L/L | 6' 8" 245 | Age: 23
Draft: 2014 (Rd: 4, #128, Cleveland Indians) - Mounds View (MN) HS
Shoreview, MN USA
MLB Pipeline Rank:
CLE: No. 15 |
MLB Rankings
Fastball Velocity
Fastball Spin
Curve Spin
K%
Exit Velocity
Hard Hit %
Pop Time
Framing
Outs Above Avg
Outfielder Jump
Sprint Speed
xwOBA
xBA
xSLG
 
Poor
Avg
Great

Stats

W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2019 2 13 5.11 26 26 0 128.2 126 1.65
Career Minors 14 32 4.34 95 85 0 406.2 433 1.51
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2019 26 2-13 5.11 128.2 126 1.65
Career Minors 95 14-32 4.34 406.2 433 1.51

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Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2014 AZL Indians AZL ROK 1 0 0.69 8 0 0 13.0 4 3 1 0 5 10 0.69
2015 2 Teams Minors 3 5 4.37 13 11 0 55.2 62 39 27 4 27 61 1.60
2015 AZL Indians AZL ROK 3 3 3.10 11 9 0 49.1 49 28 17 4 19 59 1.38
2015 Mahoning Valley Scrappers NYP A(Short) 0 2 14.21 2 2 0 6.1 13 11 10 0 8 2 3.32
2016 Lake County Captains MID A(Full) 2 4 6.12 14 14 0 60.1 71 49 41 8 29 73 1.66
2017 2 Teams Minors 0 4 3.23 11 11 0 30.2 21 16 11 3 15 41 1.17
2017 AZL Indians AZL ROK 0 3 4.85 6 6 0 13.0 16 9 7 2 3 18 1.46
2017 Mahoning Valley Scrappers NYP A(Short) 0 1 2.04 5 5 0 17.2 5 7 4 1 12 23 0.96
2018 Lynchburg Hillcats CAR A(Adv) 6 6 3.27 23 23 0 118.1 114 51 43 4 53 122 1.41
2019 Akron RubberDucks EAS AA 2 13 5.11 26 26 0 128.2 148 89 73 11 64 126 1.65

Scouting Report

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

The top prospect in Minnesota in 2014, Hentges was a high school two-way star who became a full-time pitcher after signing for an over-slot $700,000 in the fourth round. He spent most of his first two years as a pro in Rookie ball before blowing out his elbow in '16, with Tommy John surgery sidelining him for most of the subsequent season as well. He finally broke out in 2018, leading the Class A Advanced Carolina League in strikeout rate (9.3 per nine innings) and ranking second in ERA (3.27).

Hentges doesn't have a true plus pitch, but he has the potential for four solid offerings. He has shown more arm speed since having his elbow reconstructed and now works at 91-94 and touches 96 mph with his fastball. An upper-70s downer curveball is his second-most reliable option, a mid-80s cutter he began throwing in 2018 has promise and his changeup features some fade and should improve if he uses it more often.

Hentges uses his 6-foot-6 frame and high-three-quarters delivery to create steep downhill plane on his pitches, which helped him top the Carolina League in home-run rate (0.3 per nine innings). He has a fairly smooth delivery for an extra-large pitcher but has yet to prove he can throw strikes on a consistent basis. If he can do that and refine his secondary offerings, he could be a mid-rotation starter.

Transactions

Team Date Transaction
09/30/2019 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Sam Hentges from Akron RubberDucks.
03/08/2019 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Sam Hentges to Akron RubberDucks.
11/20/2018 Cleveland Indians selected the contract of Sam Hentges from Lynchburg Hillcats.
09/20/2018 Lynchburg Hillcats activated LHP Sam Hentges from the 7-day disabled list.
08/20/2018 Lynchburg Hillcats placed LHP Sam Hentges on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 16, 2018.
03/30/2018 LHP Sam Hentges assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/09/2017 LHP Sam Hentges assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from AZL Indians.
07/08/2017 Lake County Captains sent LHP Sam Hentges on a rehab assignment to AZL Indians.
04/06/2017 Lake County Captains placed LHP Sam Hentges on the 7-day disabled list.
09/12/2016 Lake County Captains activated LHP Sam Hentges from the 7-day disabled list.
06/23/2016 Lake County Captains placed LHP Sam Hentges on the 7-day disabled list.
04/03/2016 LHP Sam Hentges assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/28/2015 LHP Sam Hentges assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from AZL Indians.
07/17/2014 LHP Sam Hentges assigned to AZL Indians.
06/21/2014 Cleveland Indians signed LHP Sam Hentges.