Top Performer Spotlight: 2019 3B Blake Wink
September 11, 2018
As we head into the fall/winter season we will be publishing "Top Performer Spotlights" on players who really stood out at past PBR California events and/or the summer circuit. In this edition we'll take a look at 2019 3B Blake Wink, the 124th ranked player in the recently updated PBR California Class of 2019 state rankings.
When you're a consistent player with some upside things find a way to work themselves out. Such is the case for Blake Wink who was a steady performer all spring and summer before being rewarded with an opportunity to play college baseball at Fresno State where he recently committed. The process may have been long for Wink, but it was certainly earned. We first saw Wink earlier in the spring before he was invited to the Top Prospects Showcase where he performed very well and has carried that momentum into early fall work.
Let's take a closer look at Blake Wink.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Rising Stars Showcase | CA | 09/23 | Corona Santiago HS |
| Central Coast Open | CA | 10/07 | Cabrillo College |
| Senior Games (Invite Only) | CA | 10/13 | JSerra High School |
| Los Angeles Open | CA | 10/20 | Maverick Field |
TOP PERFORMER SPOTLIGHT
QUICK TAKE
Wink stood out to me the couple times I saw him this spring. What stood out was his energy and his ability to channel that into his play on the field. He took outstanding in-and-out before each game where his quick hands and clean exchanges were on display. Then you see the arm and what you had was a very projectable left side of the infield type player. When he moved in to the box it's as if his body stopped moving while his hands kept going. He moved them so much I wondered how in the world his timing is ever on. Alas, it seemed to work. Wink has since gotten rid of all that pre-pitch movement with his hands and instead incorporates a smooth rocking motion that helps his timing and has improved his feel/control for the barrel. Needless to say that change has helped some of his power, albeit sneaky, to the pull side develop.
SCOUTING REPORT
8/1/18 - Wink is a 5-foot-11, 171-pound twitchy, muscular, strong infielder with broad shoulders and a strong lower half. Wink plays the game with a lot of fun energy. Defensively he shows plus hands and a quick, strong arm that is able to make throws from anywhere on the infield with accuracy. Plays through balls with excellent body control, fluid footwork and athleticism. Shows a good pre-pitch routine and has a very good understanding of angles to the ball. At the plate he has a balanced setup with a smooth load and a high leg kick stride. Lower half explodes through the ball. Shows fast hands with present bat speed. Keeps his head still throughout his swing. Shows a middle approach with some pull side power. Contact is loud and explosive. Gets extended through the ball. Wink ran a 6.91 60 yard dash and registered an 81 infield velocity and an 84 exit velocity off the tee.
3/1/18 - Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Long, lean, athletic frame with broad, squared shoulders that project to add mass with continued growth. Wink is an above average defender that flashes elite level defensive ability with plus range to either side and the speed and footwork to arrive at most any ball under control and ready to make a throw. Arm plays and has ability to make strong, accurate throws from any angle. Clean exchanges with fast hands. Offensively, Wink has active hands and a neutral stance. Uses a high leg kick which transfers his weight to his backside before stepping and driving hips into the ball. Wink shows a good understanding of his hitting zone and good pitch recognition. Clocked 4.55 home-to-first.