Top 10 Profiles of 2019: No. 7 Luke Hayden

December 22, 2019
Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

The seventh most viewed player profile this year was 2021 RHP Luke Hayden of Edgewood HS. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Hayden continues to rise on a national level after an impressive 2019 campaign. The Indiana commit is ranked No. 1 in Indiana and No. 48 in the PBR overall '21 rankings.

No. 7

Scouting Report

9/13/19: RHP Luke Hayden (Edgewood HS, IN) started for Team Indiana in their night game, tossing three innings and striking out seven. He was up to 93, sitting 89-92 and repeatedly spun a nasty slider with hard, wipeout break. At its best, it was 78-81. He made one mistake, allowing a two-run home run in his first inning.

4/13/2019 PBR Midwest Select: Indiana recruit, currently ranked No. 3 in Indiana’s 2021 class, No. 195 nationally. 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander with proportional strength throughout. Delivered an impressive performance, throwing an eight-inning complete game in which he allowed only three hits, one run while striking out nine with no walks and one hit batsman. Pounded the strike zone with a fastball that ranged between 87-90, touching 91. He also shuffled in an aggressive 77-80 mph slider that he regularly landed for strikes. Slider had sharp late bite, averaged around 2,500 spin rate per Trackman. He finished off his 102-pitch masterpiece with a strikeout on an 89-mph fastball. Athletic delivery, repeats well. Arm swing is clean and compact, high-3/4 slot, aggressive, high-intensity finish with substantial head-whack. Quiet, competitive demeanor on the mound, attacks hitters, moves off the mound well, making a few athletic defensive plays.

2/23/2019: Luke Hayden, RHP/SS, Edgewood HS, 2021, 6 foot, 190 pounds, throws from a mid ¾ slot and a short quick arm action. Fastball sat 87-91 with some effort and tight spin. Slider is an out pitch and sat 77-80 with downer action and really tight spin. CH was 78-79 with some arm side run. Was around the plate with all his pitches, and showed good down angle with fastball and slider and both pitches seem be extremely high in the spin rate category. Luke is a high follow in the 2021 class.

4/10/18 Spring Scout Blog: The recent Ball State commit got the nod at SS. Showed good actions during IN/OUT, did tend to sit on his heels at times. In game had a few bad hops eat him up once in the 5/6 hole on a back hand and one glove side that he showed his range on. Will need to increase foot speed in the field and on the bases (sub average runner). That should definitely come as his body develops over the next 3 years. Hits from the right side from crouched stance/wide base. Showed good approach and looked comfortable in the box for a freshman although was 0-2 on the evening with a K, BB and GO. Hopped on the bump in the 4th inning with runners on base and sat 81-84 T85 and then settled into the 79-82 range in his 2nd inning of work. Has some effort to delivery and did tend to fall off to glove side. Pitched out of the stretch only. Also spun a 11/5 shape breaking ball that showed future plus potential at 69-71. Command of both FB and CB in his outing was shakey as he tended to miss up in the zone with FB and CB hung at times. Very intriguing young prospect who will be fun to watch develop over the next 3 years.

4/10/2018 Spring Scout Blog: The recent Ball State commit got the nod at SS. Showed good actions during IN/OUT, did tend to sit on his heels at times. In game had a few bad hops eat him up once in the 5/6 hole on a back hand and one glove side that he showed his range on. Will need to increase foot speed in the field and on the bases (sub average runner). That should definitely come as his body develops over the next 3 years. Hits from the right side from crouched stance/wide base. Showed good approach and looked comfortable in the box for a freshman although was 0-2 on the evening with a K, BB and GO. Hopped on the bump in the 4th inning with runners on base and sat 81-84 T85 and then settled into the 79-82 range in his 2nd inning of work. Has some effort to delivery and did tend to fall off to glove side. Pitched out of the stretch only. Also spun a 11/5 shape breaking ball that showed future plus potential at 69-71. Command of both FB and CB in his outing was shakey as he tended to miss up in the zone with FB and CB hung at times. Very intriguing young prospect who will be fun to watch develop over the next 3 years.

2/17/2018: 5-foot-10, 165 pound right-handed pitcher works at with a quick tempo, high effort delivery. Short, clean arm swing. Some arm speed, twitch in lower half rotation. Fastball sat 81-83 for strikes. Breaking ball has late depth in an 11/5 shape. Potential plus pitch. Splitter sat 71-72 with some late tumble action. Potential for more velocity as he fills in his athletic frame. In the box, Hayden has a balanced setup with slight leg kick. Twitch in the hands. Long path, slightly uphill to contact. Showcased arm strength across the infield. Topped 86 with some accuracy. Long transfer, fluid footwork. Sure hands. Ran a 8.5 60 yard dash.