Uncommitted Spotlight: 18' Keenan Hodgkin, SS/RHP, Providence Academy
October 30, 2017
The talent pool in the state of Minnesota is becoming deeper and deeper each year, especially with the aid of baseball/softball training facilities becoming more prevalent. Today's spotlight focuses on Keenan Hodgkin out of Providence Academy. The 6'3, 180lbs infielder/RHP is a player who shows he invests reps in facilities like mentioned above with above average mobility and body control for someone with a larger, lanky frame. His arm length doesn't cause issues in the infield where he shows a short field-and-release on GB's thrown on the run and as he gets stronger for longer arm throws in the hole or from potentially 3B. Added strength will help produce mound velocity with continued development of the lower half (even though he shows great balance before delivering) in the pitching game as well as increased bat speed to help deliver the barrel to the zone with even more authority to a slightly uphill launch angle.
PBR: What schools have expressed interest in you?
I have been hearing from Sioux Falls, Upper Iowa, Winona State, Concordia(NE), St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, Bethel, Concordia(WI), Wartburg, and Augsburg along with some other schools.
PBR: Have you taken any visits, or have any visits scheduled in the near future?
I have visited Sioux Falls, Concordia(NE), St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, and Wartburg and I have some other visits scheduled for the future.
PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.
I am looking for a four year school near home where I can excel in the class and on the field. I am also looking for a school with a strong business program.
PBR: What were some of your highlights during your junior year, personally and as a team?
My personal highlights from this year were being able to drive the ball more and have over twenty extra base hits between spring and summer. I also hit two homeruns in a legion win against Maple Lake who we lost to in the section championship game. As a team we made a strong playoff run with only one starting senior. We went on to lose in a very competitive section championship game.
PBR: What goals do you have this year for your team and yourself?
As a team we have the goal to win the section championship this year. We did not lose any pitching and we have pretty much the same returning team, so we should be able to make a deep playoff run. Personally I want to get bigger so I can be better at the plate and continue hitting the ball harder. I also want to be a good senior leader giving the team lots of confidence.
PBR: Are you playing with anyone this fall/winter? If so, where?
During the fall I played for TCBA. This winter I am not playing with anyone but I will be training at TCBA with Brett Thorney.
PBR: Do you play any other sports?
I used to play basketball and run cross country. Now I play rec basketball in the winter with friends.
PBR: What is your ACT and GPA?
My GPA is a 3.44 and I have a 26 on the ACT.
Scouting Report
6/20/17- 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Slight collapse creating lift and launch in swing plane, fly ball hitter, occasional pop in bat, mid/pull approach, 82 mph exit velocity. Good angles to field, solid range, shows ability to throw from multiple slots, solid college infielder, 83 mph arm across infield. On mound; produced 78-79 mph fastballs with athletic delivery to plate. Strike thrower. Curveball has large 10/4 shape at 62-65 mph.
3/20/17- 6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.58 runner. Open stance, easy leg kick trigger, deep load with arm bar, length to contact, uphill plane to swing, mid/pull approach with occasional pop in bat, 81 mph exit velocity. Plays through ball, active feet, avg. hands, long release on throws, throws are accurate with solid carry to bag, 80 mph arm strength across field.
2/27/16- 5-foot-10, 142-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Higher balance point with some body control. Good direction to plate. Longer arm action that is clean. Cut action on fastball at 70-71 mph; topping out at 75 mph. 11/5 breaking with good shape and spin. Ok fade on changeup. Overall good feel for zone with 3 pitches for 2018 grad. Open stance. Strides to square. Slight uphill plane and length to contact. Underneath baseball at contact. Avg. pop in bat. 71 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays through the ball well if good feet and hands for age. Clean arm action. Accuracy to bag. Follow player with physical growth and maturity. 72 mph arm strength.