Cleveland Guardians 2024 Prospect Scouting Report: #41 RHP Ethan Hankins

Hankins still has big stuff despite the three years of missed time, but he'll need the package to come together in 2024 after shaking the rust off in 2023

Justin Lada

Feb 13, 2024

Ethan Hankins Bio

Age (2024 season): 24
Acquired: 2018 Draft (Round 1C 35
2023 Level: High-A
Height: 6’6
Weight: 200
Throws: Right

Ethan Hankins 2023 Stats

G/GS: 15
IP: 46
ERA/FIP: 4.70/4.01
K/BB: 50/26
K%/BB%: 24.9%/12.9%
WHIP: 1.39

Ethan Hankins 2024 Scouting Grades

Fastball: 55
Slider: 45
Curveball: 55
Changeup: 40
Command: 40
Overall: 40
Risk: Extreme
ETA: 2026

Build & Background

Hankins is a big-bodied, physical right handed pitcher that has the classic build of a durable starter. He has broad shoulders, and a lean, strong frame. Where conditioning was previously an issue for Hankins, he returned in 2023 with that learn and strong frame, also looking like he may have added an inch to his height. 2023 marked Hankins’ first affiliated action since 2019. After the 2020 pandemic season, Hankins had Tommy John, which wiped out his 2021 season completely, and all but one inning of complex league ball in 2022. He started 2023 in extended spring training, but later reported to High-A Lake County, for his first action at that level. He battled a minor injury during the season but returned to finish the season strong despite basically three years away from competitive baseball. Hankins was Cleveland’s comp pick in the 2018 draft, selecting him 35th overall and committing an overslot deal of $2,246,022 to him.

What Hanknis Does Well

A mid-to-upper 90s fastball with arm side run has always been Hankins’ bread and butter. Despite the surgery and time off, Hankins’ velocity has mostly returned. He sat mid-90s and touched 96 in 2023 with that same riding action. He has just average control of the pitch right now. His best secondary remains his big, high-70s breaking that he had as an amateur. It’s a slower, power hammer with 11-6 break, not quite an over the top curve. He can backdoor it at times and it gets swings and misses in and below the zone against High-A hitters. His changeup shows some armside drop as well. He’s working on his slider. Hankins’ physical build, now healthy and in good condition, should help him continue to progress as he makes up for lost time.

Where Hankins Needs to Improve

Control was always Hankins’ hurdle to climb when he was drafted. His time away from the mound makes that hurdle a little bigger now to get over. He needs to continue working on improving the shape of his slider and consistent movement of his changeup, which need more vertical drop. Innings and hopefully control are where Hankins needs to make strides now, coming into his age 24 season and likely seeing Double-A for just the first time. Right now he’s essentially a two-pitch pitcher without any upper-level experience with below-average command.

Key Stats

Hankins was about average age for High-A last year (-0.1 younger) and faced plenty of hitters that were younger than him. Younger hitters slashed .219/.323/.333 against him and older hitters went .232/.349/.393 against Hankins. The time away while injured does sort of put him on par with all High-A hitters, age aside, so perhaps age isn’t as much of a factor right now for Hankins, relative to level. His 60 innings in 2019 are his career high right now, which he may need to double in 2024 to start playing catch up as a starter.

Intangibles

The injury and surgery that kept Hankins out of action three years if you combine the COVID year in there has given Hankins a lot of perspective on his career and the work he puts in. He came back in 2023 in much better condition both mentally and physically when where he was in Low-A in 2019.

Future

Right now it’s hard to know where Hankins’ future and role is. This ranking could look low if he used 2023 to shake off the rust and starts to make strides in 2024, but that will probably coincide with his first taste of Double-A, which could be tough. He’s going to need to make up for lost time, but he can only pitch one game at a time. He showed flashes of the pitcher that was worth the 35th overall pick in 2018, with his strong fastball and big breaking ball. If the rest of the picture begins to come together he could still be a major league starter, but there’s still a big risk he never progresses enough. His two offerings and size could make an interesting reliever if Cleveland looks to speed up his timeline a little or the control doesn’t work as a starter.

Role

40 - High variance SP with mid-rotation upside, middle relief option, or misses completely