By Mike White
Staff Writer
Lakewood BlueClaws reliever Dan Hodges has looked sharp thus far since being promoted from Batavia on June 7.
LAKEWOOD — Baby-faced and chomping on a slice of pizza following a recent home game, Lakewood BlueClaws relief pitcher Dan Hodges looks more like a high school senior than a professional baseball player.
Hodges doesn’t give off the appearance of being a dominating reliever.
He is relatively small compared to the rest of the other players milling about the locker room.
In fact, Hodges is much shorter than his listed 6 feet in the team’s media guide. However, there is nothing slight about his contributions to the BlueClaws’ pitching staff this season.
Since joining the team June 7, Hodges has proven to be a capable reliever.
In seven appearances, Hodges hasn’t allowed a run in 13 innings. In addition, the 22-year-old crafty left-hander, who was drafted in the 26th round out of Florida State, recently earned his first pro victory when he pitched 1 2/3 of scoreless relief as Lakewood rallied for a 6-5 win over the visiting Hickory Crawdads during the last home stand.
"That was pretty exciting," Hodges said. "It was nice to get my first win with this club here at home."
Hodges spent some time at Batavia before getting transferred to Lakewood in June.
"I’m starting to settle in," Hodges said. "The players here are making me feel at home. I’m feeling real comfortable playing with the BlueClaws. I think that is important if I’m going to continue to play well."
Lakewood manager Buddy Biancalana considers Hodges a welcome addition to the BlueClaws’ staff.
Lakewood recently lost the services of Cole Hamels, who was promoted to Clearwater two weeks ago. The Lakewood manager said he admires Hodges’ ability to use off-speed pitches to keep opposing batters off balance.
"He is definitely a trickster," Biancalana said. "He is never going to be a guy who is going to overpower hitters with a 95 mph fastball. He has a good approach to pitching. He throws a lot of strikes and he is quick to the plate. He likes to battle. Those kinds of guys are usually successful in this game."
Hodges knows his strength lies in his craftiness. As a teenager growing up in Hilliard, Fla., his dad, Wayne, often worked with him on pitching mechanics in the back yard, he said.
Hodges messed around with various grips and putting different spins on his pitches. He somehow learned how to throw a screwball, but didn’t realize it at the time. Hodges has fallen back on that pitch time after time.
"It is my out pitch," Hodges said. "When I first started to throw it, I thought it was a change-up. I had no idea that it was a screwball."
During his four years at FSU, Hodges’ role was that of a closer. He is primarily being used in a set-up man role here at Lakewood, but that role could change.
"I’m comfortable coming out of the bullpen," he said. "It’s all I’ve really done since college. For four years I was a closer down there."
Hodges feels playing at a big time baseball program like Florida State was a good way to prepare for the pros.
"The level of competition was outstanding," he said. "I loved it there. It was a great place to play baseball. The atmosphere was unbelievable. I think it helped me prepare for getting to this level."
Hodges realizes there is plenty to learn.
"I’ve been working on getting tougher on left-handed batters," he said. "I need to develop a better breaking ball. The screwball isn’t as effective throwing it to lefties."