Dasan Hill’s Climb to the Top
The Twins’ 2024 Draft Pick Is Ascending to Top Prospect Status
Introduction
Dasan Hill was selected in the Compensation Round B in the 2024 MLB Draft at 69th overall by the Minnesota Twins. It was rather surprising to see Hill slide down draft boards as Major outlets (like Fangraphs) had him projected to go first round with reports that labelled him “among the best high school pitching prospects in the draft”.
Now in his first pro-season, Hill looks like the steal after a blistering start in Lo-A. He has a 1.69 ERA and 2.17 FIP across 10.2 IP with all the pitch characteristics to back it up. He is quickly gaining traction as one of the most exciting pitching prospects in baseball, and his rapidly ascending ranking reflects that.
Profile
Build
At draft time, Dasan Hill stood at 6’ 5” and 165 lb, making him one of the most projectible arms in the draft. Given his age and size, Hill had a ton of room to fill out his frame and improve his power. The Twins took the chance on Hill, and it has already paid off in spades. Hill sat at 88-90 MPH prior to the draft, and less than a year later he was chucking 97 MPH fastballs in Spring Training. This level of velocity gain is extreme, yet it seems sustainable. He is sitting 96 MPH on his fastball thus far in Lo-A, and it feels like this is just scratching the surface of his potential. Hill has the perfect body type for a pitcher, and throwing this hard at 19 years old gives him the foundation to be one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball.
Command
Hill has exhibited the ability to throw each of his offerings for strikes. He has a smooth and repeatable delivery which portends well for steady improvements in the command department.
Arsenal
Hill wields 4-pitch mix with each offering flashing plus characteristics: a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball.
Fastball
I would say that his fastball is his least interesting offering currently. Its velocity (94-97 MPH) helps it out, but its steeper vertical approach from his higher release lines it up with batter’s barrels, leading to harder contact allowed. The pitch does however have above average arm-side movement and subtle sinking action which should help it be an effective weapon against LHH.
Slider
Hill’s slider sits in the low 80s with 2-Plane action that he is comfortable throwing against both handedness in all counts. The pitch lives in the zone where its combination of sweep and drop helps it evade bats. His feel for the offering is solid and has made it one of the most effective weapons in MiLB this season.
Changuep
Hill exclusively uses his changeup vs RHH where its late breaking action and unexpected arm-side run stumps batters. I would say that it has the highest ceiling of all his offerings, and his command of the pitch this season looks very mature. As he develops further, I would not be surprised if it is considered one of the best pitches in MiLB.
Curveball
Hill rounds out his arsenal with a high 70s curveball that mimics his slider, but with more depth. I don’t expect this offering to more than an above average pitch given its shape; however, his command of the offering should make it effective as a put away offering against RHH.
Outlook
Dasan Hill’s early results in the FSL have been exceptional, and it is not a facade. Everything about his profile screams future mid rotation starter and he has the tools to develop into one of the most dynamic pitching prospects in baseball. Lefties that throw this hard with this level of pitchability at such a young age are destined to be MLB regulars. I would consider him a Top 100 Prospect at the writing of this article with a massive up arrow beside his name.
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