South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 63: Hunter Schryver

Hunter Schryver
6´1´´
198 pounds
Throws: Left
Age: 24
SSS rank among all left-handed relief pitchers in the system: 5

Schryver, a Mechanicsburg, Pa. native, had a respectable run as starting pitcher (despite a 13-23 record) for Villanova from 2014-17, where he struck out 249 hitters over 277 1⁄3innings of work (20.6%). His results were solid but unexceptional for the Wildcats, as he compiled a 3.57 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, .249 OBA and 122 walks (10.1%) during his four-year stint.

Schryver’s senior season was arguably his best despite an increase in walks, as he posted a 2.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .213 OBA, 11.8 BB%, 29.0 K% and no homers allowed. Others seemed to agree, as Schryver was named to the All-Big East team as a result of his efforts. The Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB draft, and immediately converted the lefty to a bullpen role.

Schryver instantly took to his new opportunity, and threw many more strikes out of the pen. His first team was the Hudson Valley Renegades, Tampa’s New York-Penn League short-season affiliate. In 20 outings encompassing 34 1⁄3 innings, Schryver posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.15 WHIP by allowing 35 hits (.252 OBA) and just five walks (3.4 BB%), while striking out 38 (26.0 K%). For an encore in 2018, Schryver combined with Bowling Green (A) and Charlotte (A+) for a 2.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while surrendering just 38 hits (.212 OBA) and 14 walks (7.0 BB%); he also punched out 59 hitters in the process (29.5%).

The White Sox traded international signing bonus pool money for Schryver on July 31, 2018, just two days after receiving higher-profile southpaw Caleb Frare from the New York Yankees in a similar deal. In 15 innings over nine appearances for the Dash, Schryver continued to build upon his success, with a miniscule 1.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .170 OBA (nine hits), 5.1 BB% (three walks), and 35.6 K% (21 strikeouts). This obviously was a small sample size, but was quite encouraging nonetheless.

According to Baseball America, Schryver owns a fastball that mostly runs 88-91 mph but has been clocked as high as 93. Other pitches in his repertoire include a spike curveball (often called a knuckle curve, which former hurlers Mike Mussina and Cliff Lee successfully deployed) and a changeup. Schryver hasn’t been treated as a LOOGY, and for good reason — righties hit him slightly worse this year (.201) than lefties (.205), which points to the effectiveness of his change. Schryver’s career GO/AO ratio of 1.68 is terrific, and is largely a testament of the effectiveness of his spike curve and his ability to keep fastballs down. This ratio would be ideal for a bandbox like Guaranteed Rate Field.

Schryver was promoted to Double-A Birmingham this season, and has a perfect 0.00 ERA in his first three appearances through six innings with the Barons.

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2019 South Side Sox Top 100 Prospects

63. Hunter Schryver, LHRP
64. Romy González, CF
65. Carlos Perez, C
66. Trey Michalczewski, 3B
67. Taylor Varnell, LHSP
68. John Parke, LHSP
69. Mike Morrison, RHRP
70. Zach Remillard, 3B
71. Luis Martinez, RHSP
72. Zach Lewis, RHSP
73. José Nin, RHRP
74. Colton Turner, LHSP
75. Jhoandro Alfonso, C
76. Ramon Beltre, 2B
77. Charlie Tilson, CF
78. Hunter Kiel, RHRP
79. Jason Bilous, RHSP
80. Nick Johnson, RHRP
81. Danny Dopico, RHRP
82. Harvin Mendoza, 1B
83. Logan Sowers, RF
84. Maiker Feliz, 3B
85. Brayan Herrera, RHSP
86. Craig Dedelow, LF
87. Wilber Pérez, RHSP
88. Kyle Kubat, LHRP
89. Johan Dominguez, RHRP
90. Mitch Roman, 2B
91. Ty Greene, C
92. Tanner Banks, LHSP
93. Jake Elliott, RHRP
94. Kevin Escorcia, LHRP
95. Luis Rodriguez, RHSP
96. Ian Dawkins, LF
97. Victor Diaz, RHRP
98. Travis Moniot, LF
99. Will Kincanon, RHRP
100. Brian Clark, LHRP

More information on South Side Top Prospects.