Prospect of the Day: Jeremy Hellickson

by John Sickels on Mar 31, 2026 1:27 PM EDT

Prospect of the Day: Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Named as Tampa's fifth starter, Hellickson had a minor blister problem in spring training but it isn't a major issue going forward. He posted a 2.45 ERA in four spring outings, solidifying his spot on the roster following a 3.47, 33/8 K/BB in 36 debut innings late in '10. He throws strikes with a solid fastball, terrific changeup, and good curve, has great mound presence and feel for his craft. Hellickson faces a tough challenge in the AL East but is as good a bet as any rookie to meet it successfully. Although he doesn't have the super-hot fastball of the classic number one starter, his feel for pitching is so strong that I rated him as the Number One pitching prospect in baseball on my pre-season list. The Rays originally drafted Hellickson in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, out of Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Comments

I think he's starting to get a little overrated imo.

He profiles as a James Shields type (the good version) to me.

The Bad Guy
Twitter: @KBRandDewey

by Dewey Finn on Mar 31, 2026 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

That or maybe Dan Haren

by Smiley Face from Hell on Mar 31, 2026 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Better FB, curve, and command than the good Shields.

by mr. maniac on Mar 31, 2026 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Shields' career BB/9 is a flat 2 in the big leagues

let’s not get hasty

by Kaorikaze on Mar 31, 2026 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

command, location within the zone, not control

Shields has a nasty tendency to leave pitches right down the middle, especially his fastball. Hellickson locates his stuff a touch better.

by Navi's_Navy on Mar 31, 2026 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Command is different than control.

Shields has a hard time controlling his FB sometimes.

by mr. maniac on Mar 31, 2026 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I love me some

Hellickson. This could be the best day ever!

check out VEB on facebook...just search groups for Viva El Birdos

by Dttl89 on Mar 31, 2026 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

I really want to call him overrated

but I cannot.

by SenorGato on Mar 31, 2026 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

One of my favorites

for a long time now. I will thoroughly enjoy watching him pitch. And I would not say he’s overrated at all. I would argue maybe still a little underrated as there are very few who consider him a true ace, but just a number 2 or 3. I think his command will get him very far along with his plus secondary pitches.

by OrangeAlert on Apr 1, 2026 8:18 AM EDT reply actions

Dare I say it...

He kind of reminds me of Greg Maddux with regards to his feel for pitching. Granted his feel for pitching isn’t as good as Maddux’ was, but his stuff might be a little better.

I'm finally proud of the fact that I went to VCU and fittingly it has nothing to do with academics!
Proud adoptive parent of Brett Bochy, he's my boy now Bruce!

by Giant Torture on Apr 1, 2026 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Let's dial it back

There seems to be a revisionist school of thought that Greg Maddux was a crafty junkballer of sorts who got by only due to his guile & intellgence. Actually, Maddux was quite physically talented and it showed in his prime. Probably the best pitcher of my lifetime by at least some margin.

by Matt0330 on Apr 1, 2026 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions