2014 MLB Draft Profile: Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

East Carolina right-hander Jeff Hoffman has done his best to separate himself form the pack of pitchers after Rodon. His summer in the cape put him safely in that #2 spot in the draft behind Rodon. Looking more like a prototypical pitcher at 6'4", 180, his lanky build allows for projection. His high waist and long legs add deception to his ¾ delivery.

Hoffman wasn't drafted out of high school. He was a two sport star and team captain but he didn't garner a lot of attention out of Shaker HS in Latham, New York.

Hoffman's stats as both a freshman and sophomore won't blow you away and are not eye popping with a 6.7 and 6.9 K/9 and 2.6 and 3.2 BB/9 respectively. His 33 K's in 24 1/3 IP on the Cape in 2013 is a little more representative of what the potential and stuff project to be.

His fastball sits in the 93-96 range and can get up to 98. His command is improving and was the best it has been this past summer. It tends to be fairly straight but has good armside run when down in the zone. His curveball has two plane break and is a plus pitch at 78-82. It is a swing and miss pitch when he's on. His slider is a little flat on occasion but when he stays on top of it, it's devastating, especially away to righties.  His change sits from 80-84 and flashes plus.

The comparisons have been from Adam Wainwright for the Cape dominance to Kevin Gausman for his build and repertoire to Justin Verlander for his ability to reach the upper 90's late in the game. His lack of K's in his first two seasons and his lack of dominance don't get me excited but the stuff does. I don't know that he will be a top of the rotation arm but I can see him be a #2/3 type that any team would be happy to have.