CSS Button No Image Css3Menu.com

Baseball Prospectus home
  
  
Click here to log in Click here to subscribe

Niko Hulsizer

Born: 02/01/1997 (Age: 22)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 225
Primary Position: LF
Secondary Position: RF
Physical/Health
Excellent physical condition, with lean, cut legs and arms. Explosive athlete with a lifting man's strength.
Evaluator Ricky Conti
Report Date 07/13/2019
Dates Seen 6/27, 6/28, 6/29, 6/30, 7/1,7/10,7/12
Affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Video
2021 Medium/Hig 45 Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 45 Lightning fast bat speed that actually comes from a short bat path with not much load. Has mastered the art of using his quick twitch muscles to generate power. Pitch recognition is average, but pitch selection needs work. Looking for his pitch early in the count allows him to stay off bad pitches, but will be trigger happy with two strikes, causing tons of strikeouts. Not afraid to take walks, especially if he gets ahead early. Needs to hit mistakes more often. Uphill swing plane means the bat isn't in the zone a long time, leaving small margin for error. Some swing-and-miss, but less than one would expect.
Power 70 The 2017 College Home Run Derby champion has easy plus-plus raw power, coming from his pure strength and bat speed. The uphill swing was designed specifically for launching baseballs into the air. The power is to both the pull side and center.
Baserunning/Speed 50 The athleticism gives him average speed, but the jury is still out if there is enough first step quickness to steal bases. Hasn't attempted much on the bases, but the ability is there.
Glove 45 Has yet to make an error this season, but that is mostly a product of super passive play in the outfield. Takes decent routes. Overall play is enough to hang in the outfield.
Arm 50 Average arm that makes accurate throws, enough to play both corner outfield spots
Overall

The plus-plus raw power is no joking matter. Although the bat speed is electric, it does come from a sell-out, uphill swing. Players with this type of power usually come with a super-aggressive approach and severe swing and miss tendencies, resulting in lots of strikeouts. While Hulsizer does strike out often, it's more of a product of poor pitch selection than pure swing-and-miss. The fact that there is some approach at all is encouraging. Although his defensive ability itself is average, the value probably comes out to below-average because of limited range and passive play. With some small changes, Hulsizer is a rising candidate for the backend of the Dodgers organizational rankings.

Baseball Prospectus Home  |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Customer Service  |  Newsletter  |  Masthead  |  Contact Us