Steve Hajjar

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #13 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Hajjar was a talented draft prospect dating back to his prep days, and a bump in fastball velocity during the summer prior to his draft year at Michigan helped raise his draft stock significantly. That stuff didn’t hold during the spring, but Hajjar still showed a solid pitch mix and control—enough for the Twins to sign him for $1,129,700 in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: Where Hajjar’s velocity settles into is probably one of the bigger questions for the big lefthander now. He pitched in the low 90s for the most part with Michigan, and while he didn’t get into an official pro game this summer, he reportedly touched 97 and was sitting comfortably above 93 mph in bullpens with the Twins. Hajjar threw a curveball, slider and changeup in college, though he will likely use the slider and changeup the most at the pro level. His slider has been up to 87 and flashes hard, biting action at its best, while he’s made tremendous progress over the last three years with a low-80s changeup that has impressive tumble. There’s a bit of funk in Hajjar’s delivery that could add some deception to his overall operation, and for the most part he’s done a good job throwing strikes.
  
  The Future: Hajjar has starter traits and back-end stuff now, though the quality of his fastball could tick his ceiling up.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #60 prospect in 2021 draft
  Hajjar has pedigree going back to his high school days, when he was a projectable, 6-foot-5 lefthander with a fastball in the low 90s, good feel to land his breaking ball and solid athleticism. The industry put huge expectations on him last summer after he showed a fastball in the mid 90s, and at the beginning of the draft process he was considered one of the top pitchers in the class. While he’s not quite seen through that lens now, he quietly put together a strong season at Michigan without his best velocity, posting a 3.09 ERA over 14 starts and 81.2 innings, while striking out 110 (12.1 K/9) and walking 29 (3.2 BB/9). Hajjar has worked with a four-pitch mix, led by a fastball that sits in the 89-91 mph range and touches 94. The pitch has shown better in brief outings, but scouts like the vertical movement it has despite a low-spin profile. He shows good feel for a low-80s changeup with solid tumbling action and throws both a curveball and a slider. The curve is a slow bender in the mid 70s with 12-to-6 shape, while his slider sits around 80 mph with 2-to-7 movement and looks like the better swing-and-miss and chase offering. Hajjar has a bit of a funky arm slot but has always shown good feel to throw strikes and seems like a relatively safe starting profile, with more upside if he can tick his velocity up as he moves further away from an ACL injury he had as a freshman.
• Ranked #201 prospect in 2018 draft
  Hajjar has seen his stock rise this spring, even if it's still more likely that he honors his commitment to Michigan. The projectable, 6-foot-5, 210-pound lefthander can reach 93-94 mph with his fastball, although it more consistently comes across in the 89-92 mph range. Despite a jerky delivery and extended arm action, Hajjar shows decent feel for a 78-80 mph slider. The offering is inconsistent, sometimes lacking the tight spin it needs, but when he's able to snap it off the pitch shows late bite and above-average potential. His changeup is well behind his fastball and slider and will need additional development to become an average third pitch. A good athlete, Hajjar typically pounds the strike zone with above-average control. He has more room on his frame to add weight and will likely throw harder in the future.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record:: Hajjar was a talented draft prospect dating back to his prep days, and a bump in fastball velocity during the summer prior to his draft year at Michigan helped raise his draft stock significantly. That stuff didn&#39t hold during the spring, but Hajjar still showed a solid pitch mix and control—enough for the Twins to sign him for $1,129,700 in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: Where Hajjar&#39s velocity settles into is probably one of the bigger questions for the big lefthander now. He pitched in the low 90s for the most part with Michigan, and while he didn&#39t get into an official pro game this summer, he reportedly touched 97 and was sitting comfortably above 93 mph in bullpens with the Twins. Hajjar threw a curveball, slider and changeup in college, though he will likely use the slider and changeup the most at the pro level. His slider has been up to 87 and flashes hard, biting action at its best, while he&#39s made tremendous progress over the last three years with a low-80s changeup that has impressive tumble. There&#39s a bit of funk in Hajjar&#39s delivery that could add some deception to his overall operation, and for the most part he&#39s done a good job throwing strikes.
  
  The Future: Hajjar has starter traits and back-end stuff now, though the quality of his fastball could tick his ceiling up.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Hajjar was a talented draft prospect dating back to his prep days, and a bump in fastball velocity during the summer prior to his draft year at Michigan helped raise his draft stock significantly. That stuff didn’t hold during the spring, but Hajjar still showed a solid pitch mix and control—enough for the Twins to sign him for $1,129,700 in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: Where Hajjar’s velocity settles into is probably one of the bigger questions for the big lefthander now. He pitched in the low 90s for the most part with Michigan, and while he didn’t get into an official pro game this summer, he reportedly touched 97 and was sitting comfortably above 93 mph in bullpens with the Twins. Hajjar threw a curveball, slider and changeup in college, though he will likely use the slider and changeup the most at the pro level. His slider has been up to 87 and flashes hard, biting action at its best, while he’s made tremendous progress over the last three years with a low-80s changeup that has impressive tumble. There’s a bit of funk in Hajjar’s delivery that could add some deception to his overall operation, and for the most part he’s done a good job throwing strikes.
  
  The Future: Hajjar has starter traits and back-end stuff now, though the quality of his fastball could tick his ceiling up.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  The Twins drafted the Michigan standout in the second round this year based on the strength of his four-pitch mix that the organization values. Hajjar remained effective in college this season even as his velocity ticked down a bit to 89-91 mph with a high of 94 with good vertical movement. He shows feel for his tumbling changeup, 12-to-6 curveball and swing-and-miss slider.