2023 Review of Minor League Player: Drue Hackenberg…
Similar to Hurston Waldrep, Hackenberg experienced a rapid ascent through the minor leagues following his selection in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Apart from Waldrep, Hackenberg emerged as one of the Braves’ most aggressively promoted prospects from the 2023 draft class, reaching Double-A by the season’s end.
Acquisition Details: In the 2023 MLB Draft, the Braves prioritized right-handed college pitchers, selecting three such players in the initial three rounds. Hackenberg, chosen 59th overall from Virginia Tech, signed with the team for a bonus just under $2 million.
Preseason Assessment: The Braves made a somewhat unexpected move by selecting Hackenberg early in the draft. Despite a challenging previous season at Virginia Tech, where he recorded a 5.80 ERA over 15 starts and 85 1⁄3 innings, the right-hander displayed promising skills. Scouts held varied opinions on Hackenberg’s draft position, with Baseball America ranking him 148th, MLB Pipeline at 200, and ESPN more optimistic at 86.
Performance in 2023: Following the draft, the Braves assigned Hackenberg directly to Low-A Augusta for his professional debut. Despite only making two starts, he showcased potential, offering a glimpse of what attracted the Braves to him. In these starts, Hackenberg did not concede an earned run and recorded FIP and xFIP values both below 1.00. Notably, he struck out 12 of the 23 batters faced, with a high 77.8 percent ground ball rate.
Hackenberg’s impressive performance prompted the Braves to promote him directly from Low-A Augusta to Double-A Mississippi, skipping High-A in Rome. However, in his sole start at Double-A, he struggled, exiting the game in the first inning after pitching two-thirds of a frame. Despite allowing one earned run, he struck out one batter and walked four.
Outlook for 2024: Considering his conclusion in Mississippi at the end of the 2023 season, it is likely that Hackenberg will begin the 2024 season at the same level. Turning 22 on April 1, his rapid progression through the minors raises the possibility of a big league opportunity in the coming year, contingent on various factors such as performance, injuries, and team needs. The Braves have demonstrated a willingness to test promising players in the major leagues when they deem them ready.
Regarding his future role as a pitcher, uncertainty looms. Initially labeled as a reliever by most pundits when drafted, the Braves have been open to utilizing Hackenberg as a starter unless he proves otherwise. Given the limited post-draft pitching data, it remains unclear when or if such a reassessment might occur.
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