With the 2017 Draft fast approaching (June 12-14 on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
Name: D.L. Hall
Position: LHP
School: Valdosta HS, Ga.
Rank on Draft Top 200: 14
DOB: 9/19/1998
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6'0" Weight: 190 lbs.
College commitment: Florida State
:: 2017 MLB Draft coverage ::
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Fastball: 60
Curveball: 60
Changeup: 50
Control: 50
Overall: 55
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Scouting report
After two years at Houston County High (Warner Robins, Ga.), Hall has returned to Valdosta (Ga.) High, where he pitched as a freshman. While he was gone, he helped Houston County win the 2016 state 5-A title and established himself as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the 2017 Draft.
Hall usually operates at 90-93 mph and can touch 95 with his heater, which has some running action but is more notable for its command than its life. His hard curve is often his best offering and features a high spin rate, though it can get slurvy at times. While his changeup is still in its nascent stages, it's showing improvement as he commits to throwing it more often.
Hall has a sound delivery, though his arm slot can wander and detract from his control and command. While the Florida State recruit isn't very big or physical, he still has some room to add strength. Hall's build and live arm prompt comparisons to Scott Kazmir.
MLB comp: Kazmir
Fun fact: Hall could dunk a basketball from a flat-footed, standing position when he was a freshman in high school.
He said it: "It's a lot of pressure for a lot of people, but I feel like I can deal with it pretty well now, just because of playing summer ball and going to some of the All-American games I was fortunate enough to go to. We kind of get used to it because it's like that at every event we go to during the summer with so many of the top kids in the country playing against each other."
-- Hall to the Valdosta Daily Times, on the pressure of throngs of scouts watching his high school starts.
They said it: "He's not a big guy, but he's always had special talent, and explosiveness. Even as a position player, he hits balls so hard, it's just different than everybody else. There's nobody I've seen throw like him before in high school."
-- Bart Shuman, Valdosta High School Head Coach