11/1/09

The Keepers - #38 - SP - Lachlan Hodge




38. Lachlan Hodge – SP – 21/yrs.

Hodge came out of the MLB Academy on the Gold Coast in 2005, when he was 16 years old. He held out from immediately signing a big league contract, and continued to work with his coach, Barry Holland. The Mets got a slight glimpse of Hodge in April 2006, but he returned to his finishing school back in Australia to complete his schooling. Hodge did resurface in 2008 for the GCL Mets, going 0-1, 8.10 in 11 games (5 starts).

From: http://www.youronlinecommunity.com.au/: - Lachlan Hodge has a big future. He is Cronulla-Sutherland’s latest baseball talent who has landed himself a scholarship in the American Major League. The 18 year-old recently returned from Port St Lucie, Florida, after having signed a contract with the New York Mets as a pitcher earlier this year. He participated in what is known as extended spring training for the last month. “It’s a training regime for all the younger guys to get ready for the upcoming rookie season. At first, it was hard getting used to the long days and five thirty wake up calls every morning, but I really enjoyed the experience,” he said. However, Hodge who is currently in his final year studying at St. Patrick’s College, Sutherland will not be heading back to the US this year.

From: http://www.flushinguniversity.com/: - Lachlan Hodge LHP: Couldn’t have sounded more sincere upon signing the most lucrative contract ever given to an Australian player, “The Mets are such a famous team that it’s sure a great honor to now be one of them.” Like most players signed out of Australia he surfaced while at the MLB Academy on the Gold coast as a 17 year-old in January of 2005. He was well prepared though having worked with Barry Holland who looks after many of Australia’s top amateur arms. Lachlan held out from signing a big league contract then and continued to work with Holland who exceedingly refined his control and action. Unfortunately, the Mets will only get a slight glimpse of Hodges when he heads to extended spring training in April as finishing school remains a top priority for him.

Hodge did finally settle into a rotation with the GCL Mets in 2009, and produced: 4-2, 3.35, in 13 games, 11 of which were starts. OBA was .225, and he had 56-K in 53.2-IP.

Forecast: it seemed like this kid has been a Met for twenty years. 2009 was a good year for him and returns him to a pitcher the Mets will count upon in the future. There’s no reason to send him to Kingsport, so it will either be Brooklyn or Savannah in 2010.

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