Overview
- Hess worked three innings against Pittsburgh with five strikeouts, two hits, one run, two walks and 11 swinging strikes on 48 pitches while touching 95–96 mph.
- Data from the outing highlighted a fastball with strong induced vertical break and a curveball generating heavy horizontal movement and whiffs, reinforcing the pitch mix that drew Yankees’ draft-day interest.
- In 2025 he logged a 3.22 ERA with 12.11 K/9 and a 0.26 HR/9 across High-A and Double-A, then improved at Somerset to a 2.70 ERA and 3.19 BB/9, though overall command remains the key hurdle.
- Scouting notes emphasize a four-pitch repertoire led by a mid-70s curveball praised by the organization, with Yankees pitching development credited for boosting trust in secondaries.
- Recent coverage projects continued seasoning in the upper minors this year with a realistic 2027 MLB timeline, with some writers noting a possible earlier look only if command sharpens or needs arise.