NC Commitment Spotlight: 2018 INF/RHP Will Palinkas
August 5, 2017
By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Scouting Director
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Listed at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Will Palinkas (2018, Providence HS) is not hiding on the baseball field. When he begins to move around there is athleticism present. When he is in the box, there is strength present. When he gets on the mound and begins to change slots, there is an ability to get outs. The most intriguing aspect to Palinkas may be that no one is quite sure what he will be in two months, and in two years. The frame is young and continuing to mature. It can and will handle strength as it is added.
Palinkas attended two PBR events this summer. First with his summer team the Carolina Bulldogs, which earned him an invitation to the Top Prospect Games at UNC. At the Top Prospect Games, Palinkas continued to show growth in his game, in front of coaches from all over the southeast, including UNC Greensboro. Shortly after the Top Prospect Games, UNC Greensboro closed the deal, making Palinkas a future Spartan.
Scouting Report
05.14.17
Length with a strong build that stands out in the 6-foot4, 200 pound frame. Aggessive and works to get the bat through the zone from the right side. Exit velocity measured at 98mph. Balanced and tall from the right side. Uses a leg kick and short stride to set up the swing that has an aggressive backside through the ball. Better than average bat speed, and some swagger in the box, the swing has good rhythm. Set uphill with the path, from a low set of the hands. Average barrel awareness. Athletic feet and actions on the infield, plays with confidence. Soft hands and fluid feet created clean exchanges to the center of the body. A long arm swing with a high-3/4 release measured 83mph across the infield.
Fastball ran up to 81, sitting 77-79 with arm side run. Filled the zone up with fastball. Curveball lacked consistent shape at 68-69. At times sweeping and at times showing short tilt. The change ranged 70-77, depending on the arm speed as it slowed at times. Rushed and choppy through the delivery, the shoulders work level and on-line from a tall balance point. Long arm action works to a high-3/4 slot. Extension is cut off at times. Does repeat the delivery and shows a feel for pitching.
03.03.17
6-foot-4, 200 pound frame that can still add strength. Has athleticism in the feet and hands on ground balls. Caught the ball with ease, funneling with solid rhythm, to the mid-section. Arm carried, showing at least average arm strength, with accuracy. Does work to vertical prior to throwing. Offensively, has an idea of the strike zone. Uses a leg kick with a strength over quickness swing. Bat path can get long as hands are set down and in on the body, utilizing a slight down-up load. Found the barrel twice. Swing works to stay middle, but will get aggressive and hooky when out front.