BA GRADE
50
Risk: High
Born: May 8, 1997. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-8. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Alton, Ill., 2015 (3rd round). Signed by: Stan Zielinski.
Hudson was raw when the Cubs signed him for $1.1 million in 2015 as the 82nd overall pick, but he made significant strides in 2017 and has evolved considerably as a pro. Hudson flashed one of the better breaking balls in the 2015 draft class, a low-80s power curveball that, along with his projectable 6-foot-8 frame, prompted the Cubs to buy him out of his Missouri commitment.
Hudson’s gains as a pro started with stepping back to focus on fundamentals—fitness, a functional delivery and his fastball. His work ethic has improved as he’s adapted to the rigors of pro ball, giving him the strength to stay tall in his delivery and drive the ball downhill. He used his angle to pitch off his 89-90 mph fastball in 2017, producing an extreme groundball rate, with more than three ground outs for every air out, and finished well, going 8-1, 3.69 in his last 13 starts. Hudson’s curveball and changeup lack consistency at this point because he’s focused so much on commanding his fastball. He’s spun the curveball and has flashed 94-95 mph velocity in the past.
If Hudson can recapture his curve and improve the consistency of his velocity, he’ll have two plus weapons to attack hitters, profiling as a mid-rotation starter. He’s headed to high Class A in 2018.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
2015 |
Cubs (AZL) |
R |
0 |
0 |
2.70 |
5 |
0 |
2016 |
Eugene (NWL) |
SS |
5 |
4 |
5.06 |
13 |
13 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
LoA |
9 |
3 |
3.91 |
24 |
24 |
Minor League Totals |
14 |
7 |
4.22 |
42 |
37 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
CG |
SV |
IP |
H |
HR |
2015 |
Cubs (AZL) |
0 |
0 |
7 |
6 |
0 |
2016 |
Eugene (NWL) |
0 |
0 |
59 |
56 |
4 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
0 |
0 |
124 |
128 |
10 |
Minor League Totals |
0 |
0 |
190 |
190 |
14 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
BB |
SO |
K/9 |
WHIP |
AVG |
2015 |
Cubs (AZL) |
2 |
5 |
6.8 |
1.20 |
.222 |
2016 |
Eugene (NWL) |
41 |
41 |
6.3 |
1.65 |
.262 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
52 |
81 |
5.9 |
1.45 |
.272 |
Minor League Totals |
95 |
127 |
6.0 |
1.50 |
.267 |
|