Memory of Hylton's mom propels his Draft journey

Jayden Hylton took a chance on his baseball future, moving from New Jersey to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., ahead of his junior year to get more exposure. The leap of faith paid off as he entered his name in the 2022 Draft and committed to Stetson University.

For some families, it's hard to leave where you grew up and the friends and area you've come to know, but that wasn't the case for the Hyltons.

"It was a 1, 2, 3 move," said Rob Hylton, Jayden's father. "For me, it was an easy task. I think the hardest part of moving to Florida was trying to find a house."

The Hyltons had extended family awaiting their arrival in the sunshine state, including Jayden’s older brother Brandon, who plays at Stetson. But there was one person missing. Cordell Hylton, Jayden and Brandon's mother, was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2011 and passed away on Jan. 30, 2012. Jayden was 8 and Brandon was 12. Since then, they have played every game for their mom.

"I was at a young age, so it really didn't hit me as hard as everyone else," Jayden said. "Every time I step on the ball field, I really make the at-bat or make the game after her."

Jayden wore a wristband with his mother's name or initials on it while in New Jersey, but upon the move to Florida, there were stricter rules regarding accessories, so he had to find a new way to honor his mom. He chose to draw her initials -- "C.A.H" -- outside the batter's box before his at-bats.

The family will forever remember when Jayden came to the plate in the 11th inning of a district championship game with runners on first and second. The right-handed batter cranked a no-doubt three-run walk-off homer to give Palm Beach Gardens High a 3-0 win over Palm Beach Central. It marked Palm Beach Gardens' first district championship in 10 years.

"The way he hit it, the ball just kicked off the bat, and it's like she took it off his bat," Rob Hylton said. "It was amazing the way when he connected with the ball, and the ball just took off, they never found the ball."

His district finals performance helped Jayden earn The Palm Beach Post's Baseball Player of the Year heading into his summer campaign and the MLB Draft Combine. Hylton finished his senior season hitting .438 with 40 runs on 39 hits and 22 RBIs.

MLB Pipeline's No. 114 Draft prospect displayed his talents at the Combine and turned heads with one of the highest hard-hit percentages out of prospects from both varsity and college ranks. Eighteen of 24 balls hit by Hylton were clocked at an exit velocity of at least 95 mph, ranking ninth out of 52 players.

"Having the recognition after, I was just happy to get it, but I still got to show what I need to show and do what I need to do [to get drafted]," Hylton said. "I don't try to do too much, just try to do my job, move the runner over or just get them in, just do the little things."

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-6, the rising prospect is an ideal first baseman with reach and flexibility to do the splits on defense. He has power, but also surprising quickness. Hylton, who also plays outfield, led his high school team with 29 stolen bases in his senior season, was clocked at 6.58 for his 60-yard dash at Perfect Game and ran his 30-yard dash at the combine in 3.7 seconds. That wasn’t always the case.

"Growing up, I was always the slow kid, slow, fat, chubby kid, so when I hit my growth spurt around 13, 14, I trained on my speed to make sure I got faster," Hylton said. "I work on that like each and every day to make sure I maintain my speed."

His consistent work ethic, natural abilities and experience against high-level talent, make Hylton an potential pro player. But even if things don't go as planned, the backup plan also excites him.

"If the opportunity comes to me to go to Stetson, or get drafted, I'll take it, but if not, I get to go to Stetson with my older brother, so that'll be something nice," Jayden said.

"Ultimately, they're following their dream, and the dream is happening right in front of them," Rob said.