Hitt, a left-handed pitcher, was taken during the second day of the draft Monday, July 10, with the Arizona Diamondbacks nabbing him in the fourth round, 112th overall. He was one of the more impressive prospects three years ago as well, but COVID-19 intervened, shortening the draft to five rounds.
Hitt headed to Alabama instead and compiled a 6.61 ERA in his first two seasons. He was impressive during fall practice in 2022, however, throwing his fastball consistently between 93 and 97 miles per hour while touching the upper-80s with his cutter and landing in the mid-80s with his slider.
In 2023, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder started eight games and finished 3-1 with a 4.19 ERA before suffering an elbow injury in April that required Tommy John surgery.
“I think if we had had a (high school) senior year (in 2020), he definitely would have been a first-round prospect, if not a top 15 pick overall,” Houston coach Lane McCarter told The Daily Memphian in 2020. “He can do so many things at a high level ... (and) he’s one of the most athletic kids we’ve ever had.”
Indeed, Hitt’s athleticism has always been an intriguing part of the mix; as a wide receiver in 2019, he led all of Shelby County in receptions (54), yards (1,101) and touchdowns (18) while helping the Mustangs to victories in their first 13 games before losing to Ravenwood in the Class 6A semifinals. <... Click here to read full article
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