Florida ProCase Preview: OF Clayton Hodges
May 27, 2020
The PBR ProCase has been a staple of the Prep Baseball Report's pro coverage over the last 17 years. The event has become one of the more high-powered pro showcases in the state and has seen multiple high draft picks in year’s past. There have been four players drafted in the top five rounds of the MLB Draft to have attended the Florida ProCase in previous years. The biggest of them all was Mason Denaburg, who was taken in the 1st round of the 2018 draft by the Washington Nationals. Another ProCase alum was Freddy Tarnok. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft. Sam McMillan attended the first Florida ProCase in 2016. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 draft by the Detroit Tigers. And just last year, Tyler Callihan was selected in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
The 2020 Florida ProCase will take place Friday, May 29th at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, Florida. The event will feature a pro-style workout followed by simulated gameplay that we will be broadcasting live on Twitter. Continuing today, we will be spotlighting some of the players that will be in attendance at the 2020 Florida ProCase.
If you still wish to attend the 2020 Florida ProCase you can request your invite and register HERE.
Next up is 2021 OF Clayton Hodges (Episcopal). Hodges is an athletic 5-foot-11, 175 pound outfielder. He was a 2019 Future Games participant where he committed to Jacksonville shortly after. Clayton was also a standout at the 2019 All-State Games, which earned him an invite to the Future Games. Hodges is ranked No. 76 in the PBR Florida Class of 2021 rankings.
OF Clayton Hodges
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Scouting Report
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, lean, athletic frame, strength in lower half, beginning to physically fill out, looks the part. Offensively, balanced, reverse toe-tap stride, high hands drop on load and cock the barrel towards the backstop, getting the angle of the barrel set early. Barrel works somewhat uphill, is able to get loft in swing due to this, present bat speed, flicks wrists through contact, gap-to-gap type hitter.
Simple, simple, simple with the approach and swing. Quiet head, feet and lower half, just puts the barrel on the ball with extension. Starts tall, sinks into swing well. Arms can get barred at times if he gets long, but stays short and compact for the most part. 6.98 runner with athletic movements. Gap to gap pop currently with some long ball potential with added strength. Well above average, accurate arm in the outfield, topping at 89 mph. Feet are quick and in rhythm. Uses legs efficiently on throws. Athletic, quick releases. 91 mph exit velocity.
Athletic in his movements throughout and impressed with a simple swing and quiet approach. 7.16 60-yard dash. Hands were quick and connected. Really quiet and simple in his load and lower half. Displayed good strike zone awareness and feel in the box. Well above average defender with athleticism and arm strength notching 87 mph.
A long, lean and athletic 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, defensively he came through the ball with rhythm and athleticism, showed a loose, easy arm action and throws were accurate with carry at 83 mph. Offensively, he uses a leg kick trigger. Looked to pull which created some length at times, but the bat is loose and whippy through the zone and as he squared up balls they came off the barrel with some life through the gaps. A lot of offensive upside as he matures and adds strength.
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder, athletically-built. Defensively, plays through the ball with fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Arm plays accurately from the outfield, 82 mph. Offensively, open setup, reverse toe-tap stride, hands start high, load back slightly remaining high, maintains balance. Line drive approach, long barrel path through the zone. Ran a 7.20 60.