Daxton
Hyde

Hyde turned in an intriguing three-inning look with six strikeouts in his first start of the spring, working 86-88 mph and touching 89.8 on one occasion. He mixed a 74-75 mph curveball and 78-79 mph changeup, showing feel for all three pitches early, with the changeup flashing as a real wipeout pitch, especially to LHHs. The outing started loudly as Hyde struck out the first four batters of the game, all experienced senior hitters and multi-year varsity contributors who hit between .330 and .420 in 2025. The fastball jumped out of his hand early, and both secondary pitches played well off it to generate uncomfortable swings. Momentum later shifted after a two-out, two-strike ground ball in the second inning wasn’t handled cleanly at third base, allowing two runs to eventually score. Another defensive miscue in the third helped start an RB rally and push Hyde’s pitch count up, and his command began to waver from there. After clocking the 89.8 fastball, Hyde’s velocity settled more into the 85-86 mph range shortly thereafter, which was around the same time the pitch count climbed in the third inning. Despite the final line not fully reflecting how sharp he looked early, the flashes were loud. This was the second live look at Hyde, and both the velocity in the early going and strength in the frame have taken noticeable steps forward. Hyde also hit third in the lineup, making a clear two-strike adjustment in his third at-bat by shortening up and smoking a line drive at the shortstop. When not pitching, he’s expected to see time at third and first base for Mission Hills, giving the Grizzlies an athletic two-way option with plenty of projection.

Freshman right-hander and two-way athlete Daxton Hyde turned in a brief but highly intriguing outing for Mission Hills, continuing to flash the tools that make him one of the more projectable arms in the ‘28 class. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Hyde brings a long, athletic frame with present strength and plenty of room for physical growth. The body projects well, and his movement patterns—both on the mound and as a position player—suggest even more velocity and refinement to come. Hyde worked 83-86 mph with the FB, touching 87, and the pitch showed late life out of the hand with carry through the zone. He demonstrated the ability to challenge hitters up in the zone with confidence, creating uncomfortable at-bats despite limited innings. The FB played particularly well when elevated, often sneaking past barrels with late hop. His SL sat 72-75 mph and showed flashes of tight spin with short, late break, especially effective as a change-of-pace pitch after establishing the heater. While the command and feel of both pitches are still developing, the foundation is there for a true two-pitch mix with swing-and-miss potential. Even though his outing lasted just over two innings (2+ IP, 1 ER), Hyde made a strong impression with his presence and composure on the mound. He worked with poise, didn’t shy away from contact, and showed an understanding of how to sequence. His tempo is smooth, and he moves well down the mound, repeating a relatively compact delivery for his size. The arm action is clean and works from a high three-quarter slot, with solid extension and a finish that stays directional through his target. A two-sport varsity athlete (basketball), Hyde’s natural athleticism is evident across all aspects of his game. It translates not only to his delivery and mound presence but also to his ability as a position player, where he swings it from the right side and plays 3B and SS. Overall, Hyde checks a lot of early boxes: size, athleticism, arm speed, competitiveness, and projection. With continued development in pitch shaping, command, and overall polish, he has a chance to make a real jump over the next couple of years. He already carries himself with confidence and competes like a gamer, traits you love to see in a freshman. One of the more exciting names to follow in the 2028 class, Hyde is a NTK talent whose ceiling is as high as any in the state. Don’t be surprised to see his stock climb quickly as he continues to log varsity innings and refine an already promising two-way skill set.