Commitment Spotlight: 18' Collin Denk, RHP, Lakeville North
October 13, 2017
By Josh Threlkeld
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota
Minnesota State-Mankato continues to roll on the recruiting train with the addition of another RHP/OF from Lakeville North. Denk will join a long line of pitchers such as Jason Hoppe, Brody Rodning, and Kevin Dixon, in MSU's history that come in out of high school looking to become a professional prospect. At 6'3, 170lbs there is no doubt that Denk is just scratching the surface of his physical development and the sky is seemingly the limit for the lanky right-hander. Denk and his Lakeville North teammates will be one of the heavy favorites heading into the spring high school season where they are hoping to improve on their semi-final performance from last season. We wish the best of luck to Collin not only this winter on the hardwood and spring on the diamond, but in his future career as a Maverick as well.
PBR: Why did you choose Minnesota State-Mankato?
I chose Mankato because the minute I stepped foot on campus it felt like home. The winning tradition there is like no other, the coaching staff is unbelievable, and the location is relatively close to home which is perfect.
PBR: What other schools were you considering?
I was also considering NDSU, SEMO, SIUE, and UW Milwaukee.
PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with him (Phone calls, on-campus visits, etc.)?
To be honest I am not sure when they first saw me, but I talked to Coach Mcintee via phone call about once a week. As it progressed I started talking with the head coach, Magers, and then I took visit down there and everything went beyond perfect and I knew where I wanted to end up.
PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
There was not one specific factor but obviously the location is important to me so my family can come down and watch me compete. Also, the winning tradition and player development was equally as important to me.
PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
My parents have played a huge role in where I stand today, since day one my father was always pushing me to work hard and outwork others. Coach Market, Coach Groff, and Coach Gassman at Lakeville North have helped me become the player I am today by pushing me each and everyday in the spring. Lastly, the coaching staff at Minnesota Mash is like no other. I definitely wouldn't be the pitcher or person I am today without Harvey Martin's mentorship and guidance on and off the diamond.
PBR: What plans do you have in store for you in your freshman season at your new school?
I plan to compete for a pitching job my freshmen year, and make an impact on the mound for the Mavericks.
PBR: What advice would you give to others that are currently or will soon be going through the recruiting process?
Be patient. If you want to play college baseball, there is the opportunity somewhere out there for you. Don't let the scouts intimidate you, just play your game.
PBR: Are you competing in any fall or winter sports?
I play fall baseball for Minnesota Mash and basketball in the winter for Lakeville North.
PBR: Nick Spitt told us last week that your high school team has the goal of winning a state title for the upcoming seasons, do you feel the same? What is a strong point (pitching, defense, offense) that you feel will help your team achieve that goal?
Of course our goal is to win a state championship next year. The last two years we have unfortunately lost in the state semis, so we know that it's gonna take that extra leap forward to get that state championship. Our team all around will be very solid, but the pitching staff will be very exciting to see compete everyday.
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Scouting Report
3/20/17- 6-foot-3, 166-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #31 ranked player in MN 2018 class. Quick turn to tall balance point, athletic, lands slightly closed with arm swing across body. Fastball was 83-85 mph with late ASR and consistently worked bottom of zone. Breaking ball is thrown at fastball arm speed, has solid shape, and depth should continue to improve. Has above avg. feel for changeup; thrown at fastball arm speed with fade and sink. 7.32 runner. Tall athletic stance, slight rhythm in hands, works gap to gap well, line drive swing plane, solid contact, 84 mph exit velocity. Short arm action, good accuracy to target, opens front side early to throw, solid athlete, appropriate footwork working through baseball, 84 mph arm strength from outfield.
10/23/16- 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic build. Shows body control and rhythm, short stride down mound- tends to land across body in delivery, arm is quick and clean from ¾ slot. Hides ball from hitter with fastball in 80-82 mph range with explosive late run. 11/5 breaking ball has tight rotation with quality 2-plane break. Has feel for changeup with late heavy action at plate. Strong follow, will be a riser in 2018 rankings.
7/6/16- 6-foot-2, 166-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.25 runner. Short balance point, arm is clean from short arm stroke, upright finish, lands across body. Fastball has running action at 80-83 mph. Sweeping break with 10/4 shape on breaking ball at 67-69 mph. Changeup was 72-73 mph with run and sink; works bottom of zone well. Athletic frame with solid pop in bat. Square stance, balanced stride, loses posture through contact, line drive swing plane, mid/pull approach with rhythm in swing. 83 mph exit velocity. Shows decent glove and athleticism in field. Raw mechanically and tends to sit on baseball vs. working through it. 76 mph arm strength across diamond.
4/16/16- lean frame. Clean arm action, hides baseball, and had solid life to fastball. Consistently threw strikes with 2 pitches. Fastball was 79-82 mph and separator was an above avg. breaking ball with quality shape and depth at 72-74 mph.