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Dodson

5/2/18 - Aggressive, athletic and competitive closer for the Golden Bears. Was very impressive during a two-inning save on Thursday night. I had not seen him since one inning in the Cape Cod All-Star game last summer. He was good then, and even better on this look. After playing the first seven innings in center field and batting second in the lineup, Dodson’s first five pitches were sinking fastballs at 95, 94, 96, 95 and 97 mph. Mixed in several average to better sliders ranging from 83-87 mph with the best ones at 83-84. Threw one changeup to a left-handed hitter at 86 mph. Super aggressive during his outing as he filled up the strike zone. Confident body language. Pitched like a winner. Teams typically don’t select talents like Dodson who profiles more as a reliever, until the fourth-to-fifth rounds. But with his athleticism and current stuff, he could be the outlier…a college reliever turned into a pro starter. Whether he simply turns into a valuable late inning reliever or lessens the effort, polishes his pitchability and transitions into a future starter’s role, Dodson has talent that MLB craves. And he’s a superior athlete. Is he the next Tim Hudson (two-way SEC talent turned pitcher only)? Or…Dodson was also impressive in centerfield and as a switch-hitter. He led the Cape Cod League in hitting last summer (.365/.461/.500). The position player evaluation may come at another time as his greatest draft value is currently as a pitcher. However, could he become Charlie Blackmon (pitcher turned hitter)? Easy to dismiss, but fun to think about. Dodson is likely to be selected early during Day 2 of the draft.