Colpack Hoping Strong Hit Tool Brings Notice

EASTHAMPTON, Ma. - The desire to excel at baseball started at the age of 10 for Justin Colpack.

“I tried out for the Little League All-Star team and made the B team,” Colpack reflected. “I played outfield two innings a game and got one at-bat a game. I didn’t want to do that so I started to get hitting lessons and working out to change that. Ever since then I’ve wanted to go somewhere in baseball.”

Soon after the journey began.

“When I was playing 13U All-Stars we played 11 games and I hit a home run in 10 of the games,” Colpack noted.

Now it is a matter of colleges taking notice in what the Easthampton High School junior can do.

“I haven’t talked to anybody,” Colpack related. “All I’ve gotten are camp invites.”

The coronavirus was a major setback in the eyes of the third-rated 2022 first baseman in New England.

“I feel it hurt me not being able to be in the right place at the right time,” Colpack explained. “I wasn’t able to be in front of the right coaches and showcase how good of a baseball player I am.”

So what will Colpack express to college coaches when the opportunity presents itself?

“I’ll tell them I’m 6-1 and 230 pounds,” the 16-year-old said. “I can help them a lot on the offensive side. I’m a really good hitter with a lot of power in my bat and a pretty good defender. I work out four days a week and hit six or seven days a week. I do a velo program four or five days a week and over the weekend I do defensive training.”

Dennis Healy, PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, is very confident in the abilities of the 56th-ranked New England junior.

“Justin Colpack is a physical right-handed hitting first baseman,” Healy said. “He has a very advanced feel for hitting. I would stick him right in the middle of a college order and he would figure it out after getting at-bats under his belt. He can really hit.”

Healy saw Colpack up close at the Future Games last August.

“I felt I could have done better but it was a lot of fun playing on that team,” Colpack related. “I learned I can compete at that level.”

For now, the 11th-rated uncommitted 2022 position player in New England is trying to get his name out there to schools.

“I was planning on going to camps but since the dead period pushed camps back I’ve been putting together video and getting a list of colleges to send it,” explained Colpack, who has put together a listing of 15 Division I colleges. “Some are close to home and some are down south. I’m sending the emails and video out and looking to see if any coaches respond.”

A 3.8 student with plans to major in sport management, Colpack believes he is being overlooked at this time.

“This offseason at my practices we’ve been using rapsodo and I’ve hit exit velos in the 100s,” Colpack pointed out. “I’ve had a best of 104 with a wood bat. I feel if I can show that in front of coaches I’ll get more looks.”

Colpack credits Peter Fatse, an assistant hitting coach with the Red Sox, as a major help in regard to his strong stick.

“Since I was 12 I’ve taken hitting lessons from him,” Colpack said. “I’m still hitting with him.”

There is yet even more that Colpack has been doing to progress his game.

“Last year at this time I was around 265 pounds, Colpack noted. “I’ve worked hard at slimming down and losing fat and feel that’s the biggest improvement I’ve made. I feel my arms are stronger, I’m quicker on my feet fielding, I’m faster running bases and I have more mobility hitting. I can hit different pitches better now.”

Colpack looks ahead to making more progress while also seeking out exposure.

“Right now I’m focusing on getting faster footwork when I’m in the field,” Colpack said. “My goal with hitting is 110 exit velo with a wood bat.

“I’m signed up for the Procase Feb. 7 and hope that going there to update my numbers and get more looks. I feel I’ll do well during high school season and that will get my name out there as well. Playing with Powerhouse Bulldogs in the summer and playing in good tournaments with them, I hope that will get me some looks, too. I’m also hoping to get something back from the emails and videos I’ve been sending out.”