#46 Prospect - Kyle Hudson

[Jordan Tuwiner]

http://orioles-nation.com/?p=7812

The speedy outfielder and former Fighting Illini receiver, Kyle Hudson, comes in at #46 in our Top 50 Prospects Countdown.

Full top 50 list
46. Kyle Hudson
47. Sebastian Vader
48. Jarret Martin
49. Dudley Leonora
50. Justin Dalles

[ShowalterPower]

His arm strength is well below average though his speed and ability to cover the gaps helps his arm strength play up a bit.

What do you mean by this?

[Jordan Tuwiner]

His arm strength is well below average though his speed and ability to cover the gaps helps his arm strength play up a bit.

What do you mean by this?

In other words, he closes in very quickly on balls in the gap, restricting runners from taking the extra base despite his weak arm.

[ShowalterPower]

Thanks. What do you ultimately see him becoming??

[Shorebirdfan]

I think Hudson is going to need to improve a couple areas to have a chance at making the bigs. His speed is outstanding, but he does not have the best instincts in the OF and doesn't get a great jump on the ball off the bat. Offensively, his pitch selection is not good, and he needs to learn to drive the ball in order to use the gaps better in conjunction with his speed. Personally, I don't ever see him being a major league OF.

[Jordan Tuwiner]

I think Hudson is going to need to improve a couple areas to have a chance at making the bigs. His speed is outstanding, but he does not have the best instincts in the OF and doesn't get a great jump on the ball off the bat. Offensively, his pitch selection is not good, and he needs to learn to drive the ball in order to use the gaps better in conjunction with his speed. Personally, I don't ever see him being a major league OF.

I agree with most of this. I was actually very impressed with his reads and routes in the outfield. I believe I saw him 4 or 5 times last year. Agree with you on pitch selection; he always gets caught up in check & half swings especially with off speed stuff. The ball has started to jump of his bat but his power is minuscule and I'm not sure it will ever be more than it is now.

It's going to be very, very tough for him to ever become a full time starter but I believe his speed will ultimately get him the bigs as a reserve with the chance he sees time as a starter.