Hudson Head

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Teams didn’t have much history with Head, who was a high school quarterback in Texas, prior to his emergence as a popup prospect for the 2019 draft. That didn’t stop the Padres from signing him for $3 million in the third round. He flashed explosive tools in limited instructional league looks with San Diego, and was sent to Pittsburgh in the Joe Musgrove trade after the 2020 season. Head showed power but struck out 31.6% of the time with Low-A Bradenton in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Scouts struggled to evaluate Head in 2021. He showed above-average power potential at times, hitting 15 homers, with bat speed to produce above-average exit velocities from his wiry frame. But multiple evaluators expected a bit more physicality based on what he had shown previously in 2019. Head also struggled with premium velocity at times, especially at the top of the zone, leading to concerns his swing is a bit grooved. He also struggled mightily against lefthanders. The Pirates worked with Head to shorten his swing throughout the season. Defensively, Head is a solid defender with the arm to handle any outfield position, but his speed and arm may ultimately play better in a corner.
  
  The Future: Those bullish on Head will give him a mulligan for 2021, citing his age and uneven development timeline. He has the floor of a fourth outfielder with more upside if he can make more contact.
  
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #6 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Head played quarterback at his San Antonio high school and didn’t draw baseball scouts’ attention until he hit .645 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs his senior year. The Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million, a then-record for a third-rounder. Head spent time at the Padres alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, but he was limited by a recurring hamstring injury. The Pirates acquired him after the season as the top prospect in the trade that sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head is one of the best athletes in the Pirates’ system. He’s a lean, twitchy athlete who is a plus runner, has explosive bat speed and is ambidextrous—he threw with his right hand when he rolled right and threw with his left hand when he rolled left as a quarterback. Head has a lot of extra movement in his swing, which leads to questions whether he’ll catch up to upper-end velocity. He drives balls with authority when he does connect and flashes surprising plus raw power out of his lean frame. Head is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. He needs to rein in his approach, and evaluators expressed concern he could hurt himself with how aggressively he plays center field. He’s a potential above-average defender in center with an above-average arm when he plays under control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head has plenty of athleticism, but he still has to prove he can make consistent contact against advanced pitching. He’ll try to show he can in 2021.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #20 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Head entered 2019 virtually unknown as a draft prospect, in part because his dual role as a high school quarterback kept him off baseball's showcase circuit. He hit .615 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs for San Antonio's Churchill High to become one of the draft's biggest risers, and the Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million—a record bonus for the third round.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head has a tall, lean, wiry body with quick-twitch actions. His bat speed is already among the fastest in the Padres organization, and he's a plus runner with the athleticism and quickness to stay in center field. Head plays with an aggressive football mentality and sometimes swings too hard or takes too aggressive a route in the outfield. When he slows down, he shows a sound swing with surprising plus raw power for his frame. He is supremely confident and has an above-average, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head needs experience to fine-tune his plate discipline and outfield routes, but he has the ability to be an impact player on both sides of the ball. He'll head to low Class A Fort Wayne in 2020.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #128 prospect in 2019 draft
  Much like 2017 third-round pick Mason House, Head is a pop-up prospect who turned himself into a coveted draft prospect with a very strong spring. Very few scouts had much track record with Head before this spring, but he's impressed with his speed--he's a plus runner--and some surprising pop from a smaller, wiry frame. House has hit some lengthy home runs this spring with a good-looking lefthanded stroke, although it begins with a significant bat waggle that he may need to clean up eventually. He shows above-average bat speed and has a chance to stick in center field. The Oklahoma signee is expected to be a difficult one to sway from his commitment. The success rate of pop-up prospects with little track record isn't ideal, but Head had a great senior season and has several teams that seem interested in taking him early enough to give him something to think about.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #10 prospect in 2019
  Head was one of the more surprising pop-up prospects in this year’s draft, in part because his dual role as a quarterback in high school limited his exposure in baseball showcases. He appeared likely to head to Oklahoma until the Padres gave the Texan a $3 million bonus, a record for the third round. Head was surprisingly advanced in his pro debut, with tools that include plus speed and an above-average arm. He showed the ability to manipulate the barrel with good bat speed and make adjustments during at-bats. His swing gets long, and he could learn to better use his hands at the plate. An average defender now, Head’s speed and athleticism should allow him to stay in center field. He mostly just needs more reps. What impressed the Padres' coaching staff the most was the confidence that Head—and teammate CJ Abrams—showed in making their pro debuts. "They know they’re the best players on the field,” Padres manager Vinny Lopez said. "They know they’re the best hitters in the box. You really can’t teach that.”

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Teams didn&#39t have much history with Head, who was a high school quarterback in Texas, prior to his emergence as a popup prospect for the 2019 draft. That didn&#39t stop the Padres from signing him for $3 million in the third round. He flashed explosive tools in limited instructional league looks with San Diego, and was sent to Pittsburgh in the Joe Musgrove trade after the 2020 season. Head showed power but struck out 31.6% of the time with Low-A Bradenton in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Scouts struggled to evaluate Head in 2021. He showed above-average power potential at times, hitting 15 homers, with bat speed to produce above-average exit velocities from his wiry frame. But multiple evaluators expected a bit more physicality based on what he had shown previously in 2019. Head also struggled with premium velocity at times, especially at the top of the zone, leading to concerns his swing is a bit grooved. He also struggled mightily against lefthanders. The Pirates worked with Head to shorten his swing throughout the season. Defensively, Head is a solid defender with the arm to handle any outfield position, but his speed and arm may ultimately play better in a corner.
  
  The Future: Those bullish on Head will give him a mulligan for 2021, citing his age and uneven development timeline. He has the floor of a fourth outfielder with more upside if he can make more contact.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Teams didn’t have much history with Head, who was a high school quarterback in Texas, prior to his emergence as a popup prospect for the 2019 draft. That didn’t stop the Padres from signing him for $3 million in the third round. He flashed explosive tools in limited instructional league looks with San Diego, and was sent to Pittsburgh in the Joe Musgrove trade after the 2020 season. Head showed power but struck out 31.6% of the time with Low-A Bradenton in 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Scouts struggled to evaluate Head in 2021. He showed above-average power potential at times, hitting 15 homers, with bat speed to produce above-average exit velocities from his wiry frame. But multiple evaluators expected a bit more physicality based on what he had shown previously in 2019. Head also struggled with premium velocity at times, especially at the top of the zone, leading to concerns his swing is a bit grooved. He also struggled mightily against lefthanders. The Pirates worked with Head to shorten his swing throughout the season. Defensively, Head is a solid defender with the arm to handle any outfield position, but his speed and arm may ultimately play better in a corner.
  
  The Future: Those bullish on Head will give him a mulligan for 2021, citing his age and uneven development timeline. He has the floor of a fourth outfielder with more upside if he can make more contact.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Head played quarterback at his San Antonio high school and didn't draw baseball scouts' attention until he hit .645 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs his senior year. The Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million, a then-record for a third-rounder. Head spent time at the Padres alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, but he was limited by a recurring hamstring injury. The Pirates acquired him after the season as the top prospect in the trade that sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head is one of the best athletes in the Pirates' system. He's a lean, twitchy athlete who is a plus runner, has explosive bat speed and is ambidextrous—he threw with his right hand when he rolled right and threw with his left hand when he rolled left as a quarterback. Head has a lot of extra movement in his swing, which leads to questions whether he'll catch up to upper-end velocity. He drives balls with authority when he does connect and flashes surprising plus raw power out of his lean frame. Head is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. He needs to rein in his approach, and evaluators expressed concern he could hurt himself with how aggressively he plays center field. He's a potential above-average defender in center with an above-average arm when he plays under control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head has plenty of athleticism, but he still has to prove he can make consistent contact against advanced pitching. He'll try to show he can in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Head played quarterback at his San Antonio high school and didn’t draw baseball scouts’ attention until he hit .645 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs his senior year. The Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million, a then-record for a third-rounder. Head spent time at the Padres alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, but he was limited by a recurring hamstring injury. The Pirates acquired him after the season as the top prospect in the trade that sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head is one of the best athletes in the Pirates’ system. He’s a lean, twitchy athlete who is a plus runner, has explosive bat speed and is ambidextrous—he threw with his right hand when he rolled right and threw with his left hand when he rolled left as a quarterback. Head has a lot of extra movement in his swing, which leads to questions whether he’ll catch up to upper-end velocity. He drives balls with authority when he does connect and flashes surprising plus raw power out of his lean frame. Head is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. He needs to rein in his approach, and evaluators expressed concern he could hurt himself with how aggressively he plays center field. He’s a potential above-average defender in center with an above-average arm when he plays under control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head has plenty of athleticism, but he still has to prove he can make consistent contact against advanced pitching. He’ll try to show he can in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Head played quarterback at his San Antonio high school and didn’t draw baseball scouts’ attention until he hit .645 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs his senior year. The Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million, a then-record for a third-rounder. Head spent time at the Padres alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, but he was limited by a recurring hamstring injury. The Pirates acquired him after the season as the top prospect in the trade that sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head is one of the best athletes in the Pirates’ system. He’s a lean, twitchy athlete who is a plus runner, has explosive bat speed and is ambidextrous—he threw with his right hand when he rolled right and threw with his left hand when he rolled left as a quarterback. Head has a lot of extra movement in his swing, which leads to questions whether he’ll catch up to upper-end velocity. He drives balls with authority when he does connect and flashes surprising plus raw power out of his lean frame. Head is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. He needs to rein in his approach, and evaluators expressed concern he could hurt himself with how aggressively he plays center field. He’s a potential above-average defender in center with an above-average arm when he plays under control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head has plenty of athleticism, but he still has to prove he can make consistent contact against advanced pitching. He’ll try to show he can in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Head entered 2019 virtually unknown as a draft prospect, in part because his dual role as a high school quarterback kept him off baseball’s showcase circuit. He hit .615 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs for San Antonio’s Churchill High in the spring to become one of the draft’s biggest risers, and the Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million—a record bonus for the third round.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head has a tall, lean, wiry body with quick-twitch actions. His bat speed is already among the fastest in the Padres organization, and he’s a plus runner with the athleticism and quickness to stay in center field. Head plays with an aggressive football mentality and sometimes swings too hard or takes too aggressive a route in the outfield. When he slows down, he shows a sound swing with surprising plus raw power for his frame. He is supremely confident and has an above-average, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head needs experience to fine-tune his plate discipline and outfield routes, but he has the ability to be an impact player on both sides of the ball. He’ll head to low Class A Fort Wayne in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Head entered 2019 virtually unknown as a draft prospect, in part because his dual role as a high school quarterback kept him off baseball's showcase circuit. He hit .615 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs for San Antonio's Churchill High to become one of the draft's biggest risers, and the Padres drafted him in the third round and signed him for $3 million—a record bonus for the third round.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Head has a tall, lean, wiry body with quick-twitch actions. His bat speed is already among the fastest in the Padres organization, and he's a plus runner with the athleticism and quickness to stay in center field. Head plays with an aggressive football mentality and sometimes swings too hard or takes too aggressive a route in the outfield. When he slows down, he shows a sound swing with surprising plus raw power for his frame. He is supremely confident and has an above-average, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Head needs experience to fine-tune his plate discipline and outfield routes, but he has the ability to be an impact player on both sides of the ball. He'll head to low Class A Fort Wayne in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Head was one of the more surprising pop-up prospects in this year’s draft, in part because his dual role as a quarterback in high school limited his exposure in baseball showcases. He appeared likely to head to Oklahoma until the Padres gave the Texan a $3 million bonus, a record for the third round. Head was surprisingly advanced in his pro debut, with tools that include plus speed and an above-average arm. He showed the ability to manipulate the barrel with good bat speed and make adjustments during at-bats. His swing gets long, and he could learn to better use his hands at the plate. An average defender now, Head’s speed and athleticism should allow him to stay in center field. He mostly just needs more reps. What impressed the Padres' coaching staff the most was the confidence that Head—and teammate CJ Abrams—showed in making their pro debuts. "They know they’re the best players on the field,” Padres manager Vinny Lopez said. "They know they’re the best hitters in the box. You really can’t teach that.”
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Much like 2017 third-round pick Mason House, Head is a pop-up prospect who turned himself into a coveted draft prospect with a very strong spring. Very few scouts had much track record with Head before this spring, but he's impressed with his speed--he's a plus runner--and some surprising pop from a smaller, wiry frame. House has hit some lengthy home runs this spring with a good-looking lefthanded stroke, although it begins with a significant bat waggle that he may need to clean up eventually. He shows above-average bat speed and has a chance to stick in center field. The Oklahoma signee is expected to be a difficult one to sway from his commitment. The success rate of pop-up prospects with little track record isn't ideal, but Head had a great senior season and has several teams that seem interested in taking him early enough to give him something to think about.