Clinton Hollon
| IP | 88 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.682 |
| WHIP | 1.216 |
| BB/9 | 3.682 |
| SO/9 | 7.977 |
- Full name Clinton Alexander Hollon
- Born 12/24/1994 in Lexington, KY
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Woodford County
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Drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 (signed for $467,280).
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Hollon started throwing in the mid-90s after his sophomore season, establishing himself as a potential first-round pick for 2013. Elbow tendinitis sapped his arm strength toward the end of last summer, but he has bounced back this spring to work at 90-93 mph with a peak of 95. He's athletic and has good arm speed, but the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder also throws with some effort. That costs him command and consistency, though at his best Hollon can display a sharp slider that projects as a plus pitch and a changeup that projects as average. Questions persist about his maturity, which could knock him down to the third round. Though he has committed to Kentucky and may not get selected as early as once expected, teams consider him signable.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Hollon was a lottery ticket when the Jays made him a second-round pick out of a Kentucky high school and signed him for $467,280, and he's still that same kind of prospect now. The highest-drafted player to sign with the Jays in 2013, he's made limited progress thanks to two significant setbacks. The first was Tommy John surgery in 2014, which cost him that entire season. Second was a 50-game suspension in August 2015 for amphetamine use that ended his comeback season after just 12 starts and will push back the start of his 2016 season. When he returned from Tommy John, Hollon showed his stuff was on its way back as well. His fastball had reached 94-96 mph, though not consistently, as he was pitching more in the low 90s. He'd shown all four pitches, keeping his plus slider and solid-average curveball distinct. His changeup missed the development time he lost to surgery. While he's athletic, Hollon still needs to repeat his high-energy delivery more consistently. He should head back to low Class A Lansing when his suspension is over. Hollon still has rotation upside. -
Scouts keyed in on Hollon after he touched 95 mph as an underclassman, and the Jays grabbed him in the second round last June. His bonus ($467,280) was reduced to 40 percent of slot value after a post-draft physical raised questions about a ligament in his right elbow, but he showed he was healthy during a brief summer debut. A plus athlete, Hollon has broad shoulders, a strong build and powerful lower half that produces a power arsenal. With a loose, quick arm, he throws a 90-94 mph fastball that touches 95 with life and sink and should produce groundballs at an above-average clip. His 82-85 mph slider is a plus pitch with late tilt. His curveball and changeup could be above-average offerings but need development. Hollon has worked on maintaining direction to the plate, keeping his front shoulder closed and limiting his spinoffs to the first-base side. He projects to have average or better control and a delivery that will hold up in the rotation. With athleticism, a deep repertoire and strike-throwing ability, Hollon profiles as at least a No. 3 starter and will likely begin 2014 in Bluefield.
Draft Prospects
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Hollon started throwing in the mid-90s after his sophomore season, establishing himself as a potential first-round pick for 2013. Elbow tendinitis sapped his arm strength toward the end of last summer, but he has bounced back this spring to work at 90-93 mph with a peak of 95. He's athletic and has good arm speed, but the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder also throws with some effort. That costs him command and consistency, though at his best Hollon can display a sharp slider that projects as a plus pitch and a changeup that projects as average. Questions persist about his maturity, which could knock him down to the third round. Though he has committed to Kentucky and may not get selected as early as once expected, teams consider him signable.
