Austin Hansen

Austin Hansen - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 HOU RHP 27 40

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cont/Cmd
40 40 55 45 55 30 45/40

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: Ian Smith

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 8
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Stocky, medium build. Wide lower half with present strength. Very broad shoulders. Very compact frame overall.

Delivery & Mechanics: Will work exclusively out of the stretch. Sets up at the far third base side of the rubber with a true three quarters slot. Implements a drop and drive delivery, working extremely quickly to the plate. Some effort in the finish of his delivery with a slight head whack. Will get into his back hip extremely well and gets good extension. Arm speed is above average, and he will get the most out of his simple mechanics.

Fastball: 93-96; will get good ride at the top of the zone. Creates a bunch of swing and miss due to near flat approach angle from his low release height. Can try to nibble the corners too much sometimes and will get behind in counts. Overall command of the pitch is average, but the combination of his movement profile, velocity, and approach angle tends to show this pitch an above average offering. Grade: 55

Curveball: Slightly distant third pitch. Sits mid 70s with true 12 to 6 shape. Shows quality depth with a very loopy shape, but does not get on top of the ball at a consistently enough basis. When in on, and you combine the velo separation and movement then it can flash as a plus offering. Grade: 45

Slider: Hansen will work this pitch in the low to mid 80s with wipeout horizontal movement at times. Has been his bread and butter strikeout pitch to this point in his career. Will get very tight, sweeping shape to the break, but sometimes shows the tendency to hold on too long and is prone to yanking pitches glove side. Tunnels well off the fastball, but will need to improve his overall command of the pitch for it to grow into its full potential. Grade: 55

Changeup: Very limited looks in the CH. Showed some feel for the pitch, and can maintain arm speed well. Grade: 30

Control and Command: This is the area of Hansen's game that may ultimately decide if he starts or comes out of the bullpen long term. Will command his FB better than anything in his arsenal, but still will seem to overthrow when he gets behind. SL and CB command are spotty at best, and will be prone to a handful of wild pitches, regardless who's behind the plate. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Houston gave the former Boomer Sooner the chance to start in 2019, but Hansen's profile gives you all the makings of a 6th/7th inning guy who will come in with an explosive FB/SL combo to shake any lineup up. Will be the best option to limit control concerns while likely always being a high K/9 guy.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: High