A Perfect Prospect: Brandon Hynick

It was a perfect night for Colorado Rockies triple-A hurler Brandon Hynick. The right-hander threw a perfect game last night in the second game of a double-header with Portland. The San Diego Padres’ affiliate erupted for 10 runs and 13 hits in the first game, before being quieted in the second contest.

Hynick threw 66 of his 80 pitches for strikes in the seven-inning game (each game during minor league double-headers are always seven innings in length). He relied heavily on his defense, while inducing nine ground-ball outs and six fly-ball outs. He also struck out six batters. Although the Portland team did not field a prospect-heavy lineup, it still featured players with big-league experience such as Drew Macias and Val Pascucci, who also played in Japan.

On the season, Hynick has allowed 85 hits in 90 innings or work, while posting a walk rate of 2.82 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of just 4.55 K/9. The 24-year-old is a former 2006 eighth-round selection out of Birmingham-Southern University. He works mainly in the upper-80s with his fastball, while also utilizing a curveball, changeup and his newly-developed cutter.

His best season came in 2007 at the high-A level when he went 16-5 with a 2.52 ERA (3.26 FIP). Hynick allowed just 170 hits in 182.1 innings of work, while posting rates of 1.53 BB/9 and 6.71 K/9.

Due to his modest fastball and fly-ball tendencies (he’s also seen his K/9 rate drop for four straight seasons), Hynick is probably not suited to pitching at the Major League level in Colorado. Based on his recent success – he has a 5-3 record and 2.60 ERA in his last 10 starts – Colorado may be able to get more value out of Hynick in a trade to help the club take a run at the National League wild card.

Playing in a very good hitter’s park and league, Hynick has shown that he has more than enough ability to succeed in the upper levels of professional baseball. He’s been the most successful starting pitcher on the Colorado Springs staff this year and he should fit in nicely on a National League club’s MLB roster as a No. 4 starter.