NYS Games Player Preview: 2018 LHP/1B Nathan Hampson (Victor HS)

Preseason All-State (February 20th, 2017)

Hampson is solidly built at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Registered a 60 yard dash time of 8.11 seconds. Offensively- Has a wide base and knees bent. Hands are aligned just above back shoulder. Uses a small leg kick to trigger swing as hands load back and downwards. Hips are rotational throughout swing. Hands get slightly away from body before going forward. Swing plane is uphill. High, one handed finish with line drive-gap potential. Had an exit velocity of 87 MPH, his new personal best. Defensively- Feet move well off of bag. Fields with feet close together and hands under body. Bends at waist to get to ball. Uses a double shuffle to generate momentum on throws. Improved throwing velocity to 72 MPH on throws across the diamond. Pitching- Begins with feet together on first base side of the rubber. Feet and body are turned to first base. Small back step to initiate wind up. Knee lift comes to chest height at balance point. Lead leg drives toward catcher and lands directly in line with home plate. Full arm circle on the backside with a traditional ¾ arm slot. Full hand extension through delivery. Fastball was in the 78-81 MPH range and located mostly to arm side. Threw a change up with fastball arm speed that showed fade at 70-71 MPH. Also showed a slider with a tight break at 68-70 MPH.

NY All-Star Games (September 17, 2016)

Hampson displays a plus build at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Offensively - during BP he displayed some pull-side power. Some fluid movement on the pitch, barrel drops short to the slot, hands drop, path is slightly inclined through contact with signs of bat-strength (85-mph exit velocity). Defensively- looks comfortable at the corner with a big-target and softer hands; 71 MPH on his extended throws to 3B. Pitching - signs of next-level projection evident on the mound. From the left-side he uses a side-ways approach to a high-knee lift during his delivery, hands follow high before separation. As he drives forward his arm-action stays short and back (possibly gaining more length will help). Throws from a high-3/4 slot with fastball velocity sitting 77-79 MPH, have seen him slightly higher with arm-side tail. Curveball has signs of sweeping action, at times trying to backdoor right hand hitters, 68-70 mph. This winter is critical for Hampson, extra attention to his arm-strength and hand-speed could shoot him into the spotlight come spring. 

 WNY Prospect Preview (July 5, 2016) 

Nathan is a solid 6-foot-2, 195 pound LHP/1B. He ran a 4.89 home to 1B. Offensively- Nathan stands tall at the plate with his feet just outside shoulder width. Starts with his hands tucked up right next to his head; slight drop of the hands on the back end of the load. Some lift in the swing but for the most part/line drive results middle to pull side. Exit velocity of 87 MPH Defensively- Nathan was quick off the bag at 1B with lateral actions; squares up to the ball; quick release with a low arm slot.  . Pitching-  Nathan starts on the mound with his feet very narrow and slightly pointed towards the 1B side on the middle-right side of rubber. He uses a small side step with a 90 degree leg kick and a tall finish. Arm action is infield like from a ¾ slot.  FB sat 77-80 MPH (+6 MPH from Aug. 2015); with elevation. Stuck mainly with his FB but did flash a few Curveballs (68-70 MPH) and Change up with some feel at (70-72 MPH).