Sean Hjelle RHP. DOB: 5/7/1997. 6'11", 228 lbs.
2022 AAA: 6-9, 4.92, 97 IP, 7.42 K/9, 3.53 BB/9, GB/FB= 2.40.
2022 MLB: 1-2, 5.76, 25 IP, 10.08 K/9, 2.88 BB/9, GB/FB= 3.54, FIP= 3.51, xFIP= 2.72.
Other prospect rankings seem to think Sean Hjelle has graduated to the major leagues and I guess I assumed that too. He is not ranked in the Giants top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline and I don't see him on any other lists either, but he's only pitched 25 innings at the MLB level and it looks like he has not exceeded the maxium allowed active roster days. Baseball Reference states he has not exceeded rookie eligibility. So, let's go ahead and profile Sean Hjelle who I would definitely rank in the top 10 Giants prosepects, possibly as high as #3 or 4.
Sean Hjelle was a Friday starter for a major college program, Kentucky. He was drafted in Round 2 by the Giants in 2018, has worked his way up the organizational ladder and saw significant action in the major leagues in 2022.
Hjelle presents a unique physical challenge for hitters as he is tied for being the tallest MLB player in history. If he every makes the Giants starting rotation, he will be the tallest SP in MLB history. He adds to his height advantage with an over-the-top delivery which gives him an extreme downhill plane on his pitches. He has a 3-pitch mix: FB averages 94 MPH and he must release it at least a foot closer to home plate than the average pitcher. Slider which is a nice strikeout pitch and a changeup with some fade.
He uses the downhill plane to induce an extreme groundball rate. Coupled with the double digit K/9 and low BB/9, that is a profile that should play at the MLB level. One curiosity is he never achieved anything close to those K and BB rates in the minors which may cause some analysts to dismiss his MLB numbers as a sample size aberration although the Giants major league pitching coaches are now famous for finding tweaks that boost performance.
I understand the need for pitching depth but I find it frustrating the Giants are signing free agents and counting on bouncebacks when they have a rook in-house who appears poised to break out. Even more frustrating is in all of the discussions I've read about Giants pitching depth, I have yet to see Hjelle so much as mentioned even once. Here's hoping this unique talent gets a fair chance to establish himself as a MLB SP or at least bulk innings guy in 2023.
I'm very critical of FZ and loathe his desire to build the team in his own image. I have little faith in the team's want to give Hjelle a chance. He pitched well last season, in limited appearances. I see him as being perhaps the next Randy Johnson. However, said hall of famer was traded from his original team (Expos), in a package deal, for Mark Langston. I really hope that the same doesn't happen with Hjelle. However, he's currently listed on the depth chart behind major league flotsam and jetsam in the persons of Cobb, Wood , Junis, Desclafani (if he's back.... doubtful), Stripling, and
ReplyDeleteManaea. He deserves more than this. FZ appears to be blind to what he has here. I find that to be sad. Perhaps he should take a look at another pitcher whom he almost overlooked (Logan Webb) before he does anything rash with regards to Hjelle.
I don't think Sean Hjelle is likely to be the next Randy Johnson by any stretch and that seems a bit harsh on FZ. While I appreciate what Jake Junis did for the Giants last year, if it comes down to him or Hjelle for a roster spot, I would be in favor of finding a trade for Junis. I would also favor very short leashes for DeSclafani and Wood.
DeleteMaybe the lack of love for Hjelle has to do with his 200 innings of work in 2021-22 in AA/AAA with pedestrian K and BB rates and the last 150 innings with xFIP over 5? The projection systems seem to think he'll be a serviceable bulk innings guy though. Not unlike a Jacob Junis. But nothing to be peeved about?
DeleteI think I basically said that.
DeleteSorry, I think the second anon was replying to the first anon who hates FZ and comped Sean Hjelle to Randy Johnson.
DeleteYou'd think a guy 6'11" would be hard to hide!
ReplyDeleteA couple comments about ratings:
1. Who on DrB's 2019 Giants Top 50 Prospects inherited by FZ has been overlooked? Not Logan Webb. He was already rated DrB's #4 then (December 31, 2018). Drafted @ 17 yo, he made it to the majors @ 22 yo after TJ surgery.
2. This not only refers to Heliot Ramos, once a #1: It seems to be a very bad sign when a prospect starts falling in the ratings. Luciano getting passed by someone new like Harrison climbing very fast is one thing but falling like Tyler Beede, and perhaps Will Wilson, is another.
The reason why I make the comparisons to Randy Johnson is that he didn't become dominant until he was 29, in his 5th full season in the majors. He was 49-48, 3.95, 818.0 IP, 519 BB (led the league three straight seasons for this one), 818 K. The thing was, he played for two horrible teams Expos and Mariners, who were patient with him (moreso Seattle). I fear that the Giants won't show that patience and Hjelle, who is 25, will either be traded or cut and star somewhere else. Hopefully I'm wrong in this assessment.
ReplyDeleteRJ always had a way higher ceiling than Sean Hjelle, but I do think Hjelle is underrated by a lot of people, hopefully not by FZ and the Giants.
DeleteI think part of the reason for no mention is Hjelle is being overshadowed by Kyle Harrison . But this FO values having enough SP to get through 162 games over just a good 5 man rotation. Based on this, I'm sure Hjelle will get his chance to pitch for the big club. Don't agree with giving Alex Wood a short leash. He's one of their better SP who throws strikes when healthy. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteAgree on Wood but if he's getting bombed he's probably not healthy and probably should not keep running out there.
Delete.....But a big part of FZ and Kap's game plan seems to be to get struggling pitchers to the IL as quickly as possible.
DeleteFZ seems to understand the need for depth at SP. That doesn't mean having a 6th SP anymore, it means having an 8th dude ready or 10th option lined up. A hyper deep rotation will probably become an organizational norm, just like the churn!
DeleteThat said, I love Wood as our 6th SP. He seems to embrace the role which adds a lot of value, not everyone does. Even if our rotation is healthy, I bet we see more spot starts from more dudes. I cannot wait for Kyle Harrison's first cameo.