Did the New York Yankees hit a home run by selecting the University of Alabama right-hand pitcher Ben Hess with the 26th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft?
Can Hess walk up to the mound and take the lead to become the next Gerrit Cole-like pitcher? Let’s look at the young pitcher and how he became a top prospect.
Hess played for the Charleston High Trojans in high school, and right from the start, the team knew he would be going places.
With a fastball already reaching 95 mph, the youngster struck out eight batters and threw a one-hitter on 70 pitches in 3 1/3 innings in his first varsity start. The Trojans won the game against the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs 10-5.
In the crowd were several MLB scouts watching the state’s No. 1 high school baseball prospect, who they could see had pro-level talent and would be offered by big-time college baseball programs in the near future.
The 6’5″ 255 lb. flamethrower also had an interesting college career. Pitching for the Alabama Crimson Tide last year, the 21-year-old recorded an ERA of 5.80 while striking out an impressive 106 batters.
Hess also gave up 35 walks and had a 1.39 WHIP. He totaled 205 strikeouts in 138 1/3 innings pitched and was 12-6 with a 4.81 ERA. Of the 33 games played, Hess started in 30.
In his first college outing, Hess earned his first win in a weekend start against the Richmond Spiders. He pitched 6.0 innings while striking out six and holding the Spiders off the score sheet.
The New York Yankees have a reputation for scouting big-bodied pitchers who project to be “ace-level.” Hess also draws comparisons to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young ace, Paul Skenes. A big flamethrowing pitcher who rocks a cool-looking mustache.
In terms of playing the game, the 6′ 6″, 260 lb. big-armed athlete made the big leagues very early due to his MLB pitching skills as a rookie. The same could apply to Hess, as during his first minor league game for A+ Hudson Valley, he mowed the hitters down with nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
If Hess keeps pitching like this, he’ll be on track to make the big leagues either during September call-ups this year or as a full-time starter in 2026.
However, the New York Yankees weren’t done there, as they then took right-hander Bryce Cunningham from Vanderbilt as the 53rd pick overall. New York’s first eight picks in the draft were workhorse pitchers with big arms that should make them stars as they work their way up through the Yankees’ minor league system.
Even though it’s projected that Hess won’t make his major league debut until 2027, look for him to make it sooner than that. With all of the Bombers’ pitching injuries lately, they may need him. Which is another reason they took the impressive pitcher in the first round of the draft.
The last pitcher the Yankees selected first before Hess was none other than Clark Schmidt in 2017, who will be making his 2024 Yankee debut this Wednesday. Hess is also the fifth Alabama Crimson Tide member to go in the first round, joining Joe Vitiello (1991), Jeremy Brown (2002), Taylor Tankersley (2004), and Tommy Hunter (2007).
The New York Yankees know what they are getting out of Hess. A big, hardworking pitcher with a laser arm comparable to Gerrit Cole or Jack Flaherty of the Detroit Tigers. The team also knows he made an outstanding first impression, pitching nine strikeouts in his minor league debut with A+ Hudson Valley.
This draft pick is a gamble, but if it works, the Yankees will have hit the jackpot with a potential first-round steal in Hess.
Let’s hope the Yankees didn’t strike out with their choice.
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