Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Crespi Carmelite HS (Encino, Calif.) has spawned seven big leaguers, most notably Rick Dempsey, Jeff Suppan and Trevor Plouffe. The Celts' latest prospect is Hodge, who some evaluators ranked as the most athletic catcher in the 2025 Draft. Chicago selected him in the fourth round and paid him a well over-slot $1,097,500 to lure him away from a Louisiana State commitment.

Hodge moves so well behind the plate that some scouts believe he could handle second base or the outfield corners if desired. There's no reason he shouldn't remain a catcher, as he possesses solid arm strength and could have receiving skills to match as he continues to develop. The White Sox love his work ethic and leadership skills.

Hodge is a disciplined left-handed hitter with a gap-to-gap approach. Though he has a quick, compact stroke, he swings and misses at pitches in the strike zone more than he should, especially fastballs on the outer third of the plate. If he can improve his timing and add some strength, he could become an average hitter who produces 15 homers per year.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Calif., has had four players come from the program and make it to the big leagues. The best of that group was drafted way back in 1967, when the Twins took catcher Rick Dempsey in the 15th round, and he went on to play in parts of 24 big league seasons. Five catchers have been taken since Dempsey from the school, none of whom made it to the big leagues. Hodge, an athletic backstop who performed on the showcase circuit at events like the Area Code Games and participated in USA Baseball’s 18U National Training camp, is hoping he can break the schneid.

Strong and athletic, Hodge checks off a box many teams favor when it comes to backstops in that he is a left-handed hitter. It’s a hit-over-power profile, with Hodge using a short swing to spray the ball to all fields. He’ll show solid gap power when he’s locked in, and he’s an average runner who has recorded solid 60-yard dash run times, especially for a catcher.

Behind the dish, Hodge’s above-average arm is a definite asset and he excels at controlling the running game. The rest of his defensive tools are a work in progress, with evaluators agreeing that his receiving needs work. His athleticism could give teams faith that he’ll improve back there, and that, combined with his feel to hit, could make him an early-round contender, though they’ll have to contend with his commitment to Louisiana State.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/04/2025	ACL White Sox activated C Landon Hodge.
	07/23/2025	Chicago White Sox signed C Landon Hodge.
	07/23/2025	C Landon Hodge assigned to ACL White Sox.
	05/23/2025	College Workout activated C Landon Hodge.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated C Landon Hodge.
	01/30/2024	C Landon Hodge assigned to High School Workout.