Cleveland Guardians 2023 Top 50 Prospects, No. 37 RHP Ethan Hankins

Can the former first round pick return to top prospect form after a nearly three-year layoff

Matthew Carper

As the future of the organization prepares for a new year and spring training to begin, there’s no better time to bring you the Cleveland Baseball Insiders top 50 prospects for the upcoming 2023 season.

The Guardians are widely regarded as having one of the deepest and top farm systems in all of baseball. So deep, in fact, that it was very difficult to trim the list down to just 50 players I think could have an impact at the MLB level. I probably could easily have ended up listing 75 or more players.

I am implementing the Fangraphs future value grading scale which you will be able to locate under each player video. Future Value is a grade on the 20-80 scale that maps to anticipated annual WAR production during the player’s first six years of service.

My rankings are based off seeing the players live, watching video and having conversations with other evaluators and writers. While prospect lists are fun and entertaining for fans, they are not an end-all-be-all in terms of who make it eventually to the major leagues. Remember, Jose Ramirez was never a top 100 prospect nationally and Oscar Gonzalez wasn't even a top 20 prospect in the Guardians organization.

The ultimate goal here is to inform our readers and give you information on some of the young talent in the organization that they can follow and look forward to seeing in the future at the MLB level.

No. 37 Ethan Hankins - RHP

Lake County RHP Ethan Hankins started Game 2 tonight for the Captains vs the Great Lakes Loons in the Midwest League Quarterfinals. Hankins struck out 8 over his 3.1 scoreless innings pitched.

- 3.1(IP) 3H 0R 0ER 3BB 8SO (83 Pitches 52 Strikes)@EthanHankins #Indians pic.twitter.com/aZ2zFiBdl8

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 6, 2019

Lake County Captains RHP Ethan Hankins was electric tonight setting a new career high w/ 10 strikeouts on the road vs Bowling Green. Hankins did all his damage in just 4 innings w/ 10 of the 12 outs coming via the strikeout.

- 4.0(IP) 2H 1R 1ER 2BB 10SO@EthanHankins #Indians pic.twitter.com/70Zv3xgqRd

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 30, 2019

2022 Stats

Bio

The 22-year-old RHP Ethan Hankins was drafted 35th overall by Cleveland in 2018. He fell in the draft after missing a month during his senior year in high school with shoulder tightness. At the time he was being viewed as a possible No. 1 overall pick.

Hankins coming into 2022 had only thrown 63.0 professional innings all coming during the 2018-19 seasons. He missed the 2020 season due to the pandemic but was selected to train at the team's alternative site during the shortened MLB season.

During 2021 spring training Hankins injured his elbow and underwent TJ surgery in May of that year. 

2022 Season

Hankins spent almost the entire 2022 season rehabbing from his Tommy John surgery out at the Guardians Goodyear Development Complex. He made his return appearing in just one rehab game on August 1st throwing a scoreless inning in the Arizona Complex League striking out one batter without allowing a hit or walk.

Arsenal

Hankins arsenal pre-Tommy John surgery included a fastball that has sinking action with a lot of run it sits around 92-96 mph and peaks at 98. His second-best pitch is an above average changeup that runs and sinks like his fastball. He also offers a curveball and slider which need continued development but show promise to be plus pitches.

#Guardians 22yr old RHP prospect Ethan Hankins had his fastball up to 98.3 mph his last time out on the mound. Great to see Hankins regaining his velo coming back from TJ surgery.

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 12, 2023

2023 and Future Outlook

Hankins is currently being held back in extended spring training. He had been pitching in minor league spring training and was up to 98.3 mph with his fastball. There is no word of an injury as to why he didn't start the 2023 minor league season on the roster of a full-season minor league affiliate. The current thought is that they held him back to build up his pitch count and to make sure he's 100 percent ready to go when he finally gets an assignment. 

When the organization deems, he's ready he likely either opens up at High-A Lake County where he last pitched in full-season ball back in 2019 or he could be bumped up a level to Double-A Akron. 

For now, Hankins future depends totally on his health and what he shows in his potential return to action this season. If he shows he's healthy and back to the form, he showed prior to Tommy John Surgery as a starter his stock should rise tremendously and could be a potential top of the rotation arm. 

With so much time off and uncertainty abound Hankins is considered a boom or bust prospect at this time. Like so many others including myself we all just want to see him back on the mound healthy and answer all the questions surrounding his future.

Read More:

CBS Sports Predicts Jose Ramirez To Do This In 2023

Who Will Enter Guardians Rotation In Wake Of Triston McKenzie Injury?

Triston McKenzie Faces Lengthy Stint On Injured List

This Is Where The Guardians Land On MLB.com's Opening Day Power Rankings

Oscar Gonzalez Heads Into The Regular Season On Hot Streak

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