Indians Top 100 Prospects: #99 Brad Hinkle

99. Brad Hinkle - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 10/13/1984 Height: 6'10" Weight: 220 Bats: Right Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2008	23	Mahoning Vy	A-	1	1	##	19	6	2	48.1	45	19	6	14	56	2.6	10.4	1.22
		Career		1	1	##	19	6	2	48.1	45	19	6	14	56	2.6	10.4	1.22

History: Hinkle is an undrafted free agent signing by the Indians after the 2007 Draft, and was signed out of Spring Arbor University (MI).

Strengths & Opportunities: Listed at 6'10" and 220 pounds, Hinkle towers over opposing hitters and uses that height to his advantage where he can stay on top of the ball and get it on a downward plane. His fastball used to sit at 85-87 MPH in college, but has seen a velocity increase since joining the Indians where it is more consistently around 90-91 MPH. In limited action at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley last year, he was very tough on opposing hitters where he did not allow very many hits and he piled up strikeouts. He has a good makeup, and is very coachable. He continues to show improvement with his command and secondary pitches. Because of his tall, lanky build, one of his main goals going into 2009 is to come into spring training stronger and to add some more weight.

Outlook: Hinkle is very much a project, and the Indians will continue to work on his development this spring. He should open the 2009 season at Single-A Lake County.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Brad Hinkle's MinorLeagueBaseball.com stats page

Brad Hinkle's Baseball-Reference page

Brad Hinkle's MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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