Wes Hodges was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Mike and Tracie Hodges. He began playing baseball in his early childhood, growing up as an Atlanta Braves fan and idolizing outfielder Dale Murphy. As a teenager, he was a standout on the Baylor School baseball team.
Hodges was selected to play for TEAM USA for the summer of 2005 where he was the MVP of the USA vs Italy series.
Professional Baseball career
Draft and Minor League Career
Hodges was drafted by the Cleveland Indians as the 69th pick of the 2006 MLB Draft. The Cleveland Indians agreed on July 21 to a contract with Hodges, giving him a signing bonus of $1 million. At the time, Hodges was one of only 17 players to sign a seven figure bonus in the second round.
2007 Season
Hodges played for the Kinston Indians hitting.288, 15 HRs, 71 RBI's in 104 games. He was named to the 2007 Carolina League Post-Season All-Star Team.
2008 Season
In 2008 Wes earned Rookie of the Year honors in the Eastern League. He finished T1st in the Eastern League and led the Indians organization with 97 RBI. His 18HR were 9th in the league and 2nd among Tribe minor leaguers. His.466 slugging % was 11th in the EL and his 146 hits were 5th. He was a mid-season and post-season Eastern League all-star selection. Wes was selected to play in the 2008 Futures Game at Yankee Stadium and hit a double. He was ranked as the 16th best prospect in the Eastern League by Baseball America. He had an 11-game hitting streak from June 5–17 and reached base in 23 straight games via hit or walk from June 3–27. He went 3 for 4 w/3RS, 2HR & 7RBI on April 15 vs. Binghamton...Best months were May &June...For the season he hit.300 off RHP with 17HR & 76RBI...Also hit.296 with runners on base. After the season, he was named to the Arizona Fall League's 2008 Top Prospects Team. Wes hit.349 with the Surprise Rafters with 8 2B, 6HR & 26 RBI in 25 games...His 26 RBI ranked tied for seventh in the league while playing in the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Stars Game.
2009 Season
Wes was limited to 86 games with a sprained right wrist, suffered sliding into 2nd base on May 12 vs. Lehigh Valley. He was on the DL from May 13-July 3 and spent 5 games in A Lake County from June 26-July 2 rehabbing the injury. He was added to the Cleveland Indians 40-man roster on Nov 20.
2010 Season
Hodges spent the entire 2010 season in the International League for the Columbus Clippers. He hit.270, 15 HR's, 60 RBI's. He was a member of the Indians 40 man roster, until he was designated for assignment on July 27, 2010. On August 3, 2010, Hodges was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. On August 5, 2010, Hodges was re-claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. Hodges was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on November 3, 2010, removing him from the 40-man roster.
2011 Season
Hodges was released by the Indians on June 7, 2011 and signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on June 14, 2011. Elected free agency after the season and later resigned with the Giants December 22, 2011.
2012 Season
Hodges spent most the season on the disabled list for 2012. Hodges was offered a contract by the Giants for 2013, but chose to retire from baseball in order to focus on family and earning his degree in Business Administration and Finance from Georgia Tech.
Career after baseball
Wes retired from baseball in 2012 to finish his degree from Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech. In 2015, he was hired as Player Financial Consultant for the San Francisco Giants, conducting player seminars during Spring Training and Winter Development to counsel the organization's players.
Personal life
Wes is a Christian and lives in Georgia with his wife and daughter.
