Could this guy be a fast-mover?  Tremendous numbers in the year plus since he was drafted in the 22nd round out of UC-Berkley.  I've heard he tops out around 90, but has a funky Neshek-like delivery.  Anybody got an 'eyes on' report? 

Guys like Hildenberger come around every year. He is 24 pitching against kids. He is supposed to be dominant. Since he is a righthanded bullpen guy and if he tops out at only 90 we can probably assume he will struggle as advanced hitters see him more.

 

I think if he gets to AA sometime next year he will struggle. But ive been wrong before!

 

Guys like Hildenberger come around every year. He is 24 pitching against kids. He is supposed to be dominant. Since he is a righthanded bullpen guy and if he tops out at only 90 we can probably assume he will struggle as advanced hitters see him more.

I think if he gets to AA sometime next year he will struggle. But ive been wrong before!

If you think stats like Hildenberger's "come around every year", look again. Even dominant pitchers have off-days. He was sharp every day, which indicates a repeatable skill level, rather than dominance.

Yeah, those stats are amazing... and yeah, he's a 4-year senior, but he's still in his first full minor league season.

 

I thought he should have moved up to Ft. Myers about 5-6 weeks earlier than he did, but even though he didn't, he continued to dominate.

 

He does have a unique delivery. I saw him in spring training. I was at three games in Cedar Rapids early this season and didn't see him. But it's similar to Neshek's, I'd say. When he was named the Minor League RP of the Month of May, I asked him a few questions and he was a terrific interview. Here's the link.