Skyler Hales scouting report
Posted: 31 Jul 2025 17:11 pm
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40
The Rangers made Hales the third reliever taken in the 2023 Draft, selecting him in the fourth round out of Santa Clara. He finished his pro debut in the High-A South Atlantic League playoffs, then advanced to Double-A midway through his first full season before getting some extra work in the Arizona Fall League. He could reach the big leagues in 2025 if he can find a reliable pitch to complement his fastball, which can be unhittable at times.
Hales turns to his heater about two-thirds of the time, operating at 94-97 mph and reaching 100 with tremendous carry and deception as well as some armside run. His mid-80s slider is his most trusted secondary pitch and features sharp horizontal action at its best, though it doesn’t result in many chases or empty swings. He got roughed up in the AFL while fiddling with a low-80s curveball he couldn’t throw for strikes and an upper-80s cutter that didn’t fool anyone.
Hales works from a low slot with a short arm action in back, and his mechanics allow his fastball to get on hitters more quickly than they expect. He has a history of filling the strike zone when he comes out of the bullpen, and his competitiveness contributes to his ceiling as high-leverage option.
The Rangers made Hales the third reliever taken in the 2023 Draft, selecting him in the fourth round out of Santa Clara. He finished his pro debut in the High-A South Atlantic League playoffs, then advanced to Double-A midway through his first full season before getting some extra work in the Arizona Fall League. He could reach the big leagues in 2025 if he can find a reliable pitch to complement his fastball, which can be unhittable at times.
Hales turns to his heater about two-thirds of the time, operating at 94-97 mph and reaching 100 with tremendous carry and deception as well as some armside run. His mid-80s slider is his most trusted secondary pitch and features sharp horizontal action at its best, though it doesn’t result in many chases or empty swings. He got roughed up in the AFL while fiddling with a low-80s curveball he couldn’t throw for strikes and an upper-80s cutter that didn’t fool anyone.
Hales works from a low slot with a short arm action in back, and his mechanics allow his fastball to get on hitters more quickly than they expect. He has a history of filling the strike zone when he comes out of the bullpen, and his competitiveness contributes to his ceiling as high-leverage option.