LSU right-handed pitcher Zack Hess had a coming out party as a freshman in the 2017 College World Series as a reliever.
That season he posted a 3.12 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched with 4 saves, 83 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.14.
He pitched in the Cape Cod League that summer and had a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts and WHIP of 1.68 as he walked seven batters.
LSU moved Hess back to the starting rotation because of necessity and he wasn’t quite the same. He posted an ERA of 5.05 in 92.2 innings pitched with 107 strikeouts and a 1.42 WHIP.
Hess went back to the Cape this past summer and pitched seven scoreless innings over two starts with eight strikeouts. He also pitched for the US Collegiate National team.
The 6-foot-6 righty can work in the upper 90s with a nasty slider, which is how he racks up all the strikeouts.
I know LSU needs him to be a starter, but it’s hard not to view him as a reliever at the next level after seeing how effective he was as a freshman.
