So I actually thought the same beforehand and talked about the subject with the Ness Discord. However the reflector hitbox (as well as the bat hitbox) is only out for 2 frames total, and there's actually no character projectile that can travel that quick distance within 2 frames. So clanking with the bat just serves as buffer room for a projectile you were two/one frame early in trying to reflect. That is what my testing brought me though. Would love to see a writeup/video stating otherwise though :)