College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball…
10 MLB Pitching Prospects With Standout Data In August
Geoff Pontes digs through August data to highlight 10 MLB prospects who produced noteworthy pitching performances this month.
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Rays' Top Prospect Brody Hopkins Unveils Pitching Secrets and Development Strategy
Tampa, FL – Brody Hopkins, currently ranked as the Tampa Bay Rays' fifth-best prospect, recently offered an in-depth look into his pitching repertoire and strategic approach on the mound. In an exclusive interview, Hopkins elaborated on the pitches he is currently utilizing and the thought process behind their execution, providing valuable insight into his development within the Rays' farm system. Hopkins confirmed his current arsenal includes a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a changeup, and a cutter. When discussing his four-seam fastball, Hopkins stated, "I'm trying to generate as much carry as I can because I have low arm slot." He credited the Rays organization for teaching him these nuances, emphasizing his focus on throwing the four-seamer "through the catcher's mask." Regarding his cutter, the prospect explained his intention to "rip the cutter off of a righty's front elbow," indicating a strategic aim to induce weak contact or swings and misses against right-handed batters. For his changeup, Hopkins described a more target-oriented approach: "I just kind of throw it at my catcher's right shoulder and just kind of let it do its thing." He concluded with a lighthearted remark about his curveball, noting, "I just rip it as hard as I can straight down the middle. That's really all I think about with it." Hopkins' candid discussion highlights the continuous refinement of his pitching skills and the strategic guidance provided by the Tampa Bay Rays as he progresses through their minor league system.
