Drafted in the 6th round (190th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 (signed for $500,000).
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KC Hobson is the son of Butch Hobson, well known to baseball fans as the former third baseman and later manager of the Boston Red Sox. Unlike his dad, KC bats and throws left handed. The younger Hobson is 6'2" tall and 210 pounds, with a mature and powerful build. A pitcher and first baseman, Hobson is the type of player who shows ability at both spots, but perhaps not quite enough to warrant first three round attention. On the mound, Hobson has an impressive but not overwhelming arm. His fastball sits from 87 to 90, peaking at 91. Hobson's 72 to 74 curve will show some sharp break occasionally, but he has poor command and exhibits difficulty controlling both pitches. Undoubtedly, Hobson's arm is sufficient for one of the corner outfield spots, however, he doesn't run well enough to play beyond the infield. That leaves first base as his probable defensive home. Hobson displays interesting potential as a hitter. Fundamentally sound and blessed with outstanding power, Hobson can put on eye opening batting practice spectacles Unfortunately, his performances at the plate in game situations can be uneven, and he has shown difficulties in making consistent hard contact. Hobson's big league lineage will unquestionably assist him in the draft. His value is perhaps highest as a power hitting lefthanded first baseman.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Hobson resembles his father Butch, a former big league player and manager, with his bulldog mentality, 6- foot-2 and 205-pound frame, and strong hands and forearms. Lured away from a commitment to Texas A&M with a $500,000 bonus as a sixth-round pick in 2009, he signed late that summer and made his pro debut last season. Hobson has a compact stroke and his bat stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He can go to the opposite field with authority, and he really started to sting the ball in 2010 as he learned to pull the ball more. His power hasn't quite shown up yet, but he has plenty to all fields. Because he grew up around the game, he has a good understanding of hitting mechanics and fundamentals. Though he pitched and played some outfield in high school, Hobson is a below-average runner who is limited to first base. He shows good footwork and has improved defensively since signing. He'll head to low Class A this year.
The son of former big league player and manager Butch Hobson, K.C. has his father's physical strength, with big hands and forearms. He also takes after his dad with a bulldog, edgy kind of personality. The Blue Jays lured him from a commitment to Texas A&M with a $500,000 bonus after drafting him in the sixth round last June, but he signed too late to play in 2009. Hobson has a fundamentally sound and simple swing that produces big raw power. His mechanics are traditional, but he can get overaggressive at times, with his stroke getting long and his lower half opening up too soon. Hobson threw 90-91 mph off the mound and also saw action in left field as a high schooler, but he'll likely settle at first base as a pro because he has below-average speed. His feet work well around the bag and he has more arm than most first basemen. Toronto thinks he'll have the bat to profile at the position. He'll like begin 2010 in extended spring training before beginning his pro career at Auburn or in the Gulf Coast League.
Minor League Top Prospects
The son of former major league third baseman and manager Butch Hobson, K.C. signed for $500,000 as a sixth-rounder in 2009 and made his pro debut this summer. He resembles his father, with a powerful 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and strong hands and forearms. Most of Hobson's value comes from his bat. He uses the whole field and hits the gaps well, and he has started to get more comfortable turning on pitches. He makes plenty of contact but needs to be more selective at the plate. Hobson has the arm strength to play the outfield, but he's a below-average runner who fits better at first base. He has good footwork around the bag.
Career Transactions
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs activated 1B K.C. Hobson.
1B K.C. Hobson roster status changed by Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs signed 1B K.C. Hobson.
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