2024 Minnesota Twins Prospect Previews: Tanner Hall

[Jamie Cameron]

The Twins drafted collegiate right-handed pitcher Tanner Hall in the 4th round in 2023. Hall was ranked as the 98th overall prospect in the draft class, on our Consensus Draft Board. What can Twins fans expect from him in 2024?

Image courtesy of Thieres Rabelo

The Twins leaned into one of the strengths of the 2023 class with their first crop of picks, taking prep players Walker Jenkins, Charlee Soto, and Brandon Winokur with three of their first four selections. With their fourth round selection, they continued the Southern Miss-to-Minneapolis pipeline by selecting an incredibly productive college pitcher. Tanner Hall signed for $510,000, $76,000 under slot.

Minnesota has grown a reputation for successfully developing mid- to late-round college arms in recent seasons, through a combination of adding velocity, tweaking pitch mixes, and other small but important upgrades. Hall bucks the trend slightly, as he was an incredibly successful pitcher in college, such that he was a consensus All-American who also happened to win a Gold Glove at his position.

A converted reliever, Hall pitched 112 innings in 2023, managing a 2.48 ERA, striking out 124 and walking just 33. A 27% strikeout rate combined with a 7.3% walk rate. He was 10th among all Div. I pitchers in strikeouts. Yet, the Twins will probably feel there is ample fruit left on the tree, so to speak. Why? Let’s dig into what Hall offers on the mound.

Hall’s primary offerings in college were a fastball (88-91 mph) with a ton of sink and a devastating changeup (low 80s), one of the best in the entire draft class, with a ton of tumbling action. Hall also throws a sweeping slider (low 80s) which he leaned on less in college. That pitch has plenty of promise when it’s on, but can definitely use refinement if he’s going to stick as a starter. Despite not being a prototypical starter’s build (6-foot-1, 190 pounds), Hall has an efficient, repeatable delivery with a loose, quick arm from a three-quarter slot. It’s efficient and repeatable. The consistency of Hall’s performance in 2022 and 2023 at one of the more consistent programs in the country speaks for itself.

Like many of the Twins pitchers drafted in 2023, Hall didn’t make his debut right away, instead spending time at instructs with other pitching prospects. Like Soto, Dylan Questad, and others, 2024 will be our first extended look at what the Twins have been able to accomplish with an initial developmental focus.

There will be plenty to monitor in 2024. Can the Twins add a little velocity to take his fastball from the 89-91 mph range to the 92-94 mph range? I’d bet on the affirmative. I’d also imagine the shape and consistency of Hall’s sweeper will be another area of focus right off the bat. Hall has a great developmental platform with such pinpoint command and control. I’d expect him to find some early success in the lower levels of the minors. This entire crop of new Twins pitching prospects ought to be fun to follow in 2024.

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What are your thoughts on Tanner Hall? Which Twins draftees are you most excited to follow in 2024?

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[Karbo]

In this age he will have to gain some velocity on the fastball.

[Cory Engelhardt]

SUPER excited to see how his 2024 goes. He has the tools to stick as a starter. 

[jkcarew]

“Minnesota has grown a reputation for successfully developing mid- to late-round college arms in recent seasons…”

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The 2024 starting rotation is shaping up as 4 guys acquired in trades…and Bailey Ober.

I don’t think advancing guys (Festa, etc) through the minors entitles declaration of ‘successful development’. That’s not the objective, nor is the objective to simply reach the majors (Varland). I’d give you ‘promising’ with the likes of these two and others, but successful is premature, IMO.

[ashbury]

I just assumed Tanner Hall was the college dorm he lived in.

[DocBauer]

One of the most intriguing selections in the last draft. I'd speculate that if his velocity was already in the 93-94 range he would have been no worse than a #2 pick. 

But great control, a great change, and a decent breaking pitch to work with is a good start. He doesn't have the deception of the long Ober, and from the videos I've seen I don't know that he's got the "rise" that Ryan has. He doesn't have a large frame, so adjustments in velocity are probably coming from better mechanics. But if they can unlock some more, I think they've got a potential fast riser here.

[big dog]

I find myself wondering how we got this guy in the fourth round. What am I missing, other than he doesn't throw in the mid-90s? Is that the only obvious lack compared to other draftees of the same age?

[SaberNerd]

1 hour ago, big dog said:

I find myself wondering how we got this guy in the fourth round. What am I missing, other than he doesn't throw in the mid-90s? Is that the only obvious lack compared to other draftees of the same age?

There were some national guys who thought the same thing.  Won't succeed if he doesn't add more velo, but a few teams (us included) are much better at doing that than anybody is at developing changeups.  Fastball also has the right spin to succeed even if the average fastball is only 92-93.

[terrydactyls]

I must be really old if 6' 1" and 190 pounds is considered undersized.  That sounds pretty large to me!  ☹️

[jkcarew]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

I just assumed Tanner Hall was the college dorm he lived in.

No. But based on prognostications…some day, Southern Miss WILL have a Hall Hall.

[DocBauer]

8 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

I must be really old if 6' 1" and 190 pounds is considered undersized.  That sounds pretty large to me!  ☹️

It's not just size. If it were, Ober would throw 100 MPH. Pedro Martinez have never been the pitcher he was. Nor would have Radke been the pitcher he was. And I understand the humor you tossed in. Top prospect Raya wouldn't have the velocity and stuff he has.  Sometimes it comes down to physical build, and sometimes it comes to better mechanics. If Hall can find a couple more MPH, he could be an outstanding prospect to watch in 2024

[Cornholio]

The pre-draft scouting report on Hall showed his fastball maxing out at 95 MPH. I think the velocity will be there consistently after spending some time in instructs. A very exciting prospect with plus command and changeup.

[Fatbat]

It seems like he is a young version of Sonny Gray.  Hall was a known commodity in college ball but it was a deeep draft. The kids knows how to mix his pitches and put up 00000’s.  He will develop what he needs to, to have a successful MLB career.  Just another great 4th round pick for the Twins. Lol 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Hall is going to succeed no matter what in my mind,  its just going to be how good will he be.  

He is already a pitcher,  he knows how to command a zone, hit locations, and have filth on the stuff he throws.  He ran a 2.8 ERA in 2022 on 110 innings and a 2.48 ERA in 2023 on 110 inning.  He is a stud already.  You add a deadly slider/sweeper, and increase velocity 4 mph.  Move him from  88-91  to 92 to 95 and watch out.  

For top 5 prospects in 2026 he is my safest pick.  I have no doubt he will succeed and fly up through the minors and prospect boards.  High end #2 pitcher is what I am looking for from him right now.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

23 hours ago, jkcarew said:

“Minnesota has grown a reputation for successfully developing mid- to late-round college arms in recent seasons…”

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The 2024 starting rotation is shaping up as 4 guys acquired in trades…and Bailey Ober.

I don’t think advancing guys (Festa, etc) through the minors entitles declaration of ‘successful development’. That’s not the objective, nor is the objective to simply reach the majors (Varland). I’d give you ‘promising’ with the likes of these two and others, but successful is premature, IMO.

Damn you have a high hurdle for late round prospects.  The Twins are finding MLB players and prospects late in the draft on a routine basis. I am looking at players drafted in Rd 4 or later.  

2017.  Ober (12)

2018,  Winder (7th) Funderburk (15)

2019  Varland (15th)

2020 Raya (4)

2021 Festa (13), Ohl (14)

2022  Morris (4), Jones (7) Matthews (8), Lewis (9), Culpepper (13)

2023 Hall (4), Questad (5) Stoffal (8), Dougherty (9), Dunn (10), Langenberg (11), Pasqualotto (12), Lee (13)

What are you looking for or wanting.  Out of the 17-19 drafts you have a #3 starter,  a #5 starter (so far) and a reliever.  In the 21-23 drafts you already have a current top 5 and top 10 prospect as a starting pitcher in Raya and Festa,  and you have a crap load of talent in the 2022 and 2023 draft.  Yes some will flake out,  but you have a ton of options,  a couple will rise to the top at minimum.  That is out of draft picks that are expected to fail.  That they have found any type of MLB talent is impressive.  

[Twinsrtheworst]

Got an opportunity to speak with Tanner for 20 minutes or so yesterday.  Really smart and dedicated young man.

[Paul Walerius]

On 2/16/2024 at 10:23 AM, Karbo said:

In this age he will have to gain some velocity on the fastball.

 I don't believe Kuechel had high velocity.  If he can get up to 92-94 and have good control those other pitches will help him keep hitters off balance.   

[Karbo]

15 minutes ago, Paul Walerius said:

 I don't believe Kuechel had high velocity.  If he can get up to 92-94 and have good control those other pitches will help him keep hitters off balance.   

That may be, but Kuechel was the exception to the rule. As I remember, Keuchel got lit up pretty well last year. Do you know if he signed anywhere else this season?

[Paul Walerius]

1 minute ago, Karbo said:

That may be, but Kuechel was the exception to the rule. As I remember, Keuchel got lit up pretty well last year. Do you know if he signed anywhere else this season?

I don't believe he has but he is 36 (35 last year after injuries).  I am sure there are others that don't throw hard, he is just the first that came to mind.   For 6 years he was a top pitcher in the league winning CY once and could have easily one it a second time.