6. Taylor Hearn, LHP
Birthday: 8/30/1994 (24)
Acquired: Trade with Pittsburgh Pirates, July 2018
Level(s): AA Altoona, AA Frisco
Statistics: 4-8, 24 GS, 129 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.8% BB, 26.2% K
When you have arm talent like Taylor Hearn from the left side, there will always be teams very interested in your services. Hearn was drafted in four consecutive drafts by four teams before finally signing as a 5th round selection by the Washington Nationals in 2015.
Hearn’s raw stuff has often been missed due to a lack of strikeout rate, but what was impressive early on in his career was that with a blazing fastball from the left side, Hearn was able to maintain a 15/45 BB/K over 48 innings in his draft season before posting a 23/75 BB/K over 51 2/3 innings in his second season.
Hearn was traded to the Pirates as part of the return for closer Mark Melancon at the 2016 trade deadline. The second piece of the deal alongside now-closer Felipe Vazquez, many overlooked Hearn in that finish to the 2016 season.
He came out in 2017 and while his ERA wasn’t great, at 4.12, he posted a 1.14 WHIP, and a 37/109 BB/K over 89 1/3 innings. This season, Hearn was in the midst of another impressive season when he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Keone Kela. Combined, he tossed 129 innings, with a 3.49 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 47/140 BB/K.
Hearn uses a mid-90s fastball that can reach 98-99 and appears even faster with his incredible extension from his 6’5″ height and long arms. He’s reworked his slider grip and the pitch now flashes plus and sits average while his change is also an average pitch, flashing above-average.
As Hearn improves his command, he can achieve his mid-rotation expectation. Hearn still could work for the Texas Rangers as an elite bullpen option or even achieve a higher ceiling as a potential #2. He’ll open in AAA in 2019.