FORT WORTH, Texas – Completing a dream every young ball player dreams of, Washington junior shortstop Cam Clayton heard his named called during the 2024 MLB Draft, being selected in the 14th round by the Miami Marlins.
Clayton becomes the first Husky infielder to be selected in the MLB Draft since Ben Baird was taken in the 34th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019. The Huskies have had at least one player drafted in each of the last 13 years dating back to 2012.
A three-year starter at shortstop for the Huskies, Clayton established himself as one of if not the finest glove in the West, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024, becoming the second Husky to receive the honor.
Having started all 162 games during his three seasons in Seattle, ironically a full major league season, the Lake Oswego, Oregon, native has hit for average and power. Clayton owns a .294 career average with 63 extra base knocks on 37 doubles, four triples and 22 home runs. The shortstop owns 130 career runs and has driven home 99 runs in his career.
Despite an uncharacteristically slow start to the 2024 campaign, Clayton turned it on down the stretch for the Huskies. Over the final 25 games of his junior season, the Lakeridge High School product batted .337, clobbering five of his seven home runs and tallying 20 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
After a breakout freshman season, Clayton affirmed his place among the conference’s elite in 2023, earning All-Pac-12 plaudits. The Husky shortstop batted .325 on the year, slugging 11 home runs and pacing UW with 21 doubles. Clayton finished the season with 54 runs scored, while driving home 42.
As a rookie, Clayton made an immediate impact. He batted .280 in 2022 with 60 hits, 13 of which went for extra bases. Clayton finished his freshman season with seven doubles, two triples and four home runs, adding in 34 runs and 28 RBIs.
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