MLB Scouting Report: Danny Hultzen, SP, Seattle Mariners

Earlier this month I got the opportunity to check out Seattle Mariners' lefty Danny Hultzen, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft, at the Arizona Fall League. Already a polished pitcher, Hultzen looked the part of a top overall selection and was easily the most impressive arm I saw over the weekend. Here were my observations:

-6’2”, 200 pounds—looked a little taller; a pretty much ideal pitcher’s build
-Long, slender build; high waist, strong legs, muscle well-distribute
-Mature body; little room for growth
-Has confidence and body language of a veteran; looked the part of a top draft pick
-Prior to delivery goes into squat; utilizes strong legs to generate power/velocity
-Maintains downhill plane despite mid-3/4 arm slot (about 30 degrees) that usually forces pitchers to throw across body; reduces original elbow-injury concerns I had at first glance
-Arm slot angle actually creates some deception; hides the ball well
-Good balance; generates solid push from lower half; motion is easy and repeatable
-Works fast; always ready for next pitch
-Fastball at 92-94; touching 97 MPH
-Good sink, especially when down in the zone
-Plays up a few MPH due to deception
-Terrific FB command; attacks both sides of the plate; K’d Kody Hinze on three straight FBs in the first.
-Changeup at 79-81 MPH
-Same arm action as FB; pitch has late sinking life
-Slider at 82-84 MPH
-Effective pitch low & outside vs LH hitters; tighter break when thrown down in the zone
-Potential to be an out-pitch
-Repertoire: FB & CH rate as plus-pitches; SL a tick above avg, could reach that level
-Sets up his pitches well; works inside/outside; mixes off-speed
-Terrific command; Keeps the ball low in the zone and pinpoints corners; very accurate
-Missed a few bats; Generated a ton of called strikes b/c of accuracy; six K's on the game (2.2 IP)
-Very polished; PITCHER as opposed to a thrower; ML-ready 

Simply put, Danny Hultzen is a future top of the rotation starter, ready to make an impact in Seattle as early as this season. He had the poise of a veteran out on the mound, reminding me a bit of New York Yankees lefty Andy Pettite.

Hultzen projects as a No. 2 SP on a quality team with the potential to be a low-end No. 1 starter if his slider develops into a plus-pitch. Seattle fans should be excited: a rotation featuring Felix Hernandez, Hultzen & Michael Pineda would be one of baseball's best, and it's not too far off.