Scouting grades 20–80
50Fastball
55Curveball
55Changeup
55Control
Herst checks every box for what scouts look for in a projectable right hander. It's a physical frame with a strong lower half that still could hold plenty of muscle. Herst is fluid, low effort mover down the mound who generates elite extension with his long limbs. It's an elite frame and silky smooth movement patterns.
Herst has a pretty complete three pitch arsenal for his age. The first is a fastball that will live in the high 80's into the low 90's and has touched 93. The pitch plays way up because of the extension Herst creates and can sneak up on hitters at the top of the zone. That being said, Herst's biggest critique in his profile is that he dosen't throw as hard as the other top right handers in the class, but those bullish on the profile see a ton of velocity potential in the frame. Herst flashes a slurvy upper 70's curveball with above average spin rates and shape. It's a pitch that has ticked up over the last calender year and could jump another grade with some added velcocity. Herst also has great feel for a low 80's changeup that he sells well with arm side fade.
Herst has a long track record of filling up the zone and commanding his pitches to all quadrants of the zone. It's a starter profile that could see some real helium if Herst can add a couple ticks to his fastball, but that will be crucial in how high he ultimately gets drafted.
