Get to Know: 2017 3B Nick Egnatuk (Immaculata HS, NJ)
January 18, 2017
By TJ Hunt
Director of Scouting, New Jersey
As we continue to shape-the-state here in New Jersey, several different unique features will be available on our website. Player Spotlights, Progress Reports, Scouting Blogs, Rankings and Top-Performer Lists, and so much more. Without the players we have nothing, so let’s take this a bit more personal - Get To Know: Our new article feature that hones in on what our Garden State players are up to, what makes them tick, and some real-candid inside access...
Name: Nick Egnatuk
High School: Immaculata
Grad Year: 2017
State Rank: 4
Commitment: Pittsburgh
PBR: Let's start with your baseball commitment to Pittsburgh. Tell us about the process and how you decided on the Panthers? How excited are you to play in the ACC?
Egnatuk: I had a big week down in Georgia in the summer after my sophomore year. I had no contact with Pitt until after that tournament. I got back from Georgia on Saturday and drove up to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning and got an offer. I committed three days later because of the great facilities, coaching staff, and conference. I can’t wait to get on campus and compete in arguably the best conference in college baseball.
PBR: Baseball has an unbelievable way of positively shaping young man on and off the field. Tell us one life-lesson you have picked up over the years playing the game, and how that life-lesson may impact you later in life?
Egnatuk: My scouting report would include a smooth swing with power potential to all parts of the field, quick hands and a strong arm at third base, above average runner, a lot of room to fill out, and a strong baseball IQ.
PBR: We are knee-deep into the off-season schedule. Tell us about your training, and spring preparation.
PBR: Name three goals for the upcoming 2017 season
1. Win a County Championship
2. Keep everything simple
3. Make a run in the State Tournament
PBR: Who is the best player you have played against in your high school career so far?
Egnatuk: I would say the best player I have played against in my high school career would be Joe Gatto from St. Augustine Prep in South Jersey. My freshman year we faced him in a state game a week before the draft. I knew he was legit when 20 scouts with guns went over to the bullpen to watch him warm up. He three-hit us through seven innings with a 93 mph fastball and a very sharp breaking ball.
Egnatuk: Pregame I keep it pretty simple. I will take as many rounds of BP as I need to feel good and then I stretch and throw. I am very superstitious when it comes to getting into the box. When I walk up, I put the bat under my right arm, find where I want to put my back foot, and take two scrapes to clear out any extra dirt. Then I start in the back of the box and take two scrapes from the back of the box to the front to clear out extra dirt. I step out, adjust my gloves, grip the handle, stare at the label on the bat and take a deep breath. I then place my back foot in first, then my front foot and then tap the outer edge of the plate and then the inner edge. After twirling the bat in a circle two times, I am ready to hit. Also, between pitches, I will never take a full practice swing, only one check swing from my launch point to the contact point.
PBR: What would be your best walk out song?
Egnatuk: Last year I used “Hell and Back” by Kid Ink. It sounded good and I was successful with it but I change up my song every year. This year I am going to use “Good Life” by Kanye West. I need something that upbeat and will catch everyone's attention in the stands.
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