Uncommitted Countdown: Kaden Hilburger

 

TPG East

Hilburger is 5-11 with an athletic frame that has some strength present and some projection left to it.  He is a switch hitter, from the left side, hits from an open athletic stance, two tap stride on line, smooth load down, has rhythm. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Hands stay inside, short and quick to the ball, slightly uphill line drive swing path, showed good approach working gap to gap with some carry in the gaps. From the right side, hits from a slightly open athletic stance, strides on line, short load back. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Hands stay inside, short and quick to the ball, slightly uphill line drive swing path, strong at contact with extension through the ball, showed a pull approach with some power present.  In the outfield, gets behind the ball and fields through it with average hands, clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters arm slot, position velocity was 91. Ran a 6.94 60 yard dash.

 

 

Richmond Braves Workout

Hilburger stands 5-foot-11, 170-pounds with an athletic frame. Defensively he possesses the speed and arm strength to play three outfield positions. Ran a 7.0 60 on the day, but is a better in game runner than what the time would indicate. Was 92 mph from the outfield so there is plenty of raw arm strength. Has recently transitioned into a switch hitter, was previously primarily from the right side. Small step to stride from both sides of the plate. Is short to the ball and a slight uphill tilt to the swing from both sides. It appeared as though he needs to see more right handed arms because there seemed to be some pitch recognition issues, but that is understandable and should not be a problem in the long run. The swing is more fluid from the left side and when the timing is on he seems to be more balanced from the left side with the head and the rotation of the body. Offers some two-way potential as he was 80-83 on the mound, but I think long term he will be positional only because of his ability to defend and the athleticism in the swing.

 

 

Mid-Atlantic Summer Championship

Projectable athletic frame at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. On the mound pitches with shoulder slightly uphill with a slight drop and drive down the mound, landing on line at foot strike. Lead leg could stand to firm up a bit sooner on landing. Arm circle longer, but showed some arm speed getting it through from a high three-quarter arm slot. Fastball sat 74-76 and topped at 77 mph on the day. Solid armspeed and intent on the breaking ball that had some depth and 12/6 action at 65-66 mph.