Zach
Clayton

2017 Super 60 - Oregon State recruit. 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, physical athlete, mature build with proportional strength and defined lower half. A three-sport standout, Clayton didn’t showcase any flashy, loud tools at the Super 60 - except for the consistently loud contact when he struck a baseball - but delivered a rock-solid performance across the board. Especially at the plate. Offensively, he’s simple and strong to the ball, mechanically quiet, direct, short path, strong through contact, works all fields with confidence. Ball jumps with backspin carry. Advanced overall approach. Registered 92 mph exit velocity with wood. Runs well for his frame, 7.00 laser-timed 60. Defensively, profiles as third baseman or corner outfielder. Stiff-wristed throws have on-line carry, 88 mph across the infield, with accuracy. Reliable hands, average lateral range.

6.21.16 - Oregon State recruit. Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound third baseman, mature build, proportionally strong, defined lower half, barrel-chested. Has shown vast improvements over the last year; was one of the biggest risers at the PBR Midwest ProCase with his all-around performance. Offensively has advanced approach. Right-handed hitter, balanced and simple, minimal moving parts, direct, short path, strong through contact, knows how to backspin a baseball. Comfortably worked all fields in BP, consistent loud contact, present power with more to come. Registered 90 mph exit velocity with wood. Athletic for his size and strength, ran a 7.05 laser-timed 60. Defensively, plays shortstop for his high school team, but profiles as third base prospect. Easy arm strength, throws carry on line, 87 mph across the infield. Reliable hands, above-average range at third base; with refined footwork could develop into power-hitting third baseman and become a high-interest draft follow in the coming years.


7/7/16 - Oregon State commit. 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a jacked, athletic frame. Offensively hits from an upright, balanced setup, smooth load with a short stride. Short swing path with consistent feel for the barrel. Explosive bat speed, creating leverage through contact. Had a huge say at the plate going 4-4 with three doubles. Athletic defender with a strong arm across the infield.

2/28/16 - Oregon State commit. Currently ranked No. 7 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. Offensively hits form a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with some pop. Fluid rhythm at the plate with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 96 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.00. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry across the infield at 86 mph. Athletic actions with average hands. Projects best at third base or a corner outfield spot, and his bat will likely play in the middle of any lineup.

8/9/15 - Verbally commits to the Oregon State

7/31/15 - 6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a strong, athletic frame. First Team Wisconsin player to commit after the Future Games, committing to Oregon State. Sold runner running the 60 at 6.91. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a short stride and leg lift trigger. Short, level swing path. Went 1-7 in games with a run scored. Defensively took drills at shortstop has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Good body control with solid lateral agility. Threw 84 mph across the infield. Projects for third base and shows the athleticism to play a corner outfield spot as well. On the mound his arm works from a ¾ slot, from an upright rotational delivery. Fastball touched 86 mph, sitting 83-85 mph with slight arm side action. Curveball has slurve type action at 73 mph. Changeup moved arm side with sink, 77-78 mph.

6/4/15 - 6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitter with a strong, mature frame. Soft hands with a playable arm. Showed lateral agility going deep into the hole and throwing across his body on the run to get the runner at first. At the plate hits from an upright stance with a leg lift trigger. Short level swing path. Inside outed a single to center. Went 2-3 on the day with a run scored. Will represent Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games later this summer.

2/8/15 - Strong build, very athletic, large frame, 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-way player, good raw athlete. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger, strong lower half generates pop, good balance. Makes hard contact, big bat speed, level path gets extension. Pull side power type approach, also showed the ability to go the other way. Athletic hitter, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, some carry, showed advanced arm strength for his age, 84 mph across the diamond. Showed athleticism in the field, could outgrow a middle infield spot, big strong physical athlete could project more at a corner infield/outfield positon. Comps similarly to Illinois commit Doran Turchin. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, with regular effort, arm strength present. Fastball has arm side run, pitched at 84-85 mph, touched 86 mph. Curveball has sweeping action, 11/5 tilt, 71-73 mph. Changeup had sink, occasionally decelerated arm action, 71-74 mph. High follow 2017 prospect.