Eric Hurley (1 Viewer)

[Gr00vus]

Hi all,

I've been going over my prospects and after doing a lot of study the one name I've seen that says stay away is Eric Hurley. His three best pitches are fastballs and they're good - his breaks and changes are pretty much still under development. What scares me the most about him though is that he's a fly ball pitcher (about a 37% ground ball percentage last year) who would end up playing his home games in Arlington as it currently stands. He gave up 26 HRs last year in the minors in about 160 IP. So I'm asking what am I missing that should convince me not to write this guy off in consideration of where he's been ranked in most prospect analysis? I'm trying to keep an open mind.

 

[Eephus]

Way too many questions to consider him in a redraft, unless it's a deeeeep AL only league.

As a keeper, I'm not sure. The HR rate is cause for concern but his other minor league numbers have been good. I could see him developing into a #3 guy in the rotation but probably not a superstar.

 

[Knightro]

the flyballs are going to hurt but Ranger prospects come up in the Cal Legue, Texas League, and PCL as they climb the ladder. All 3 of those leagues are hitter friendly so Hurley won't be completely shellshocked with playing in Rangers Park. I still consider him a Top 100 prospect (#40 on my list). He has solid control so he limits the damage longballs can lead to.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Keep in mind he didn't turn 22 until the very end of last season. He was pretty dominant in AA as a 21 year old and didn't fare poorly in AAA either until his last 2 starts. He reportedly wore down a lot and gave up 6 or 7 HRs in his last two starts, but he wasn't overmatched as a 21 year old in AAA.

Yes, he's an extreme flyball pitcher so far, but the further development of his changeup will help with that.

He's also got quite a slider that compliments his fastball already.

 

[Finless]

the flyballs are going to hurt but Ranger prospects come up in the Cal Legue, Texas League, and PCL as they climb the ladder. All 3 of those leagues are hitter friendly so Hurley won't be completely shellshocked with playing in Rangers Park. I still consider him a Top 100 prospect (#40 on my list). He has solid control so he limits the damage longballs can lead to.

Are you an official baseball scout ETA...seriously

 

[Bobcat10]

the flyballs are going to hurt but Ranger prospects come up in the Cal Legue, Texas League, and PCL as they climb the ladder. All 3 of those leagues are hitter friendly so Hurley won't be completely shellshocked with playing in Rangers Park. I still consider him a Top 100 prospect (#40 on my list). He has solid control so he limits the damage longballs can lead to.

Are you an official baseball scout ETA...seriously

There's a few people on here that strike me this way that I wonder about....or just how do you know so much!??!?! Knightro is one that you want posting in your thread.

 

[Gr00vus]

I know it's a tricky question, but when would you estimate he'd actually be ready for the majors if you think he'll land there? Does he have the work ethic to develop the non-fastball pitches he'll need to make it at that level?

I realize the above are tough to gauge, but what the heck, we're just talking here.

 

[Knightro]

the flyballs are going to hurt but Ranger prospects come up in the Cal Legue, Texas League, and PCL as they climb the ladder. All 3 of those leagues are hitter friendly so Hurley won't be completely shellshocked with playing in Rangers Park. I still consider him a Top 100 prospect (#40 on my list). He has solid control so he limits the damage longballs can lead to.

Are you an official baseball scout ETA...seriously

No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night Minor league prospecting is a sick hobby of mine - comes from living in Florida before the major league teams got here and having a crap load of minor league teams to watch. Hurley will be in Texas at some point this season.

 

[Bogart]

the flyballs are going to hurt but Ranger prospects come up in the Cal Legue, Texas League, and PCL as they climb the ladder. All 3 of those leagues are hitter friendly so Hurley won't be completely shellshocked with playing in Rangers Park. I still consider him a Top 100 prospect (#40 on my list). He has solid control so he limits the damage longballs can lead to.

Are you an official baseball scout ETA...seriously

There's a few people on here that strike me this way that I wonder about....or just how do you know so much!??!?! Knightro is one that you want posting in your thread.

Knightro is a GOLDEN GOD of minor league ball. I would take the man's word on any player in baseball's lower levels (including the Rays). He is so good, that players in one of his keeper leagues (former owner here) would use his cheatsheets to draft their minor leaguers. So not only is he that good, he is that generous, with an adorable family and an up and coming podcast to boot.That said.....Eric Hurley will win multiple Cy Young awards and probably cure cancer in his spare time.:RangerKoolAid:

 

[Gr00vus]

Decent outing by Hurley yesterday.