Hunkele Looks Forward To New Family At Merrimack
October 28, 2022
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Hunkele Looks Forward To New Family At Merrimack
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Nick Hunkele
Class of 2023 / RHP
Rankings
StateRank: 55 / POS: 21
Player Information
-
Graduating Class: 2023
-
Primary Position: RHPSecondary Position: OF
-
High School: Notre Dame West HavenState: CT
- Summer Team: The Grind
-
Height: 5-11Weight: 183lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Pitching
88
Max FB
(03/06/22)
85 - 88
FB
(03/06/22)
72 - 75
CB
(03/06/22)
75 - 78
CH
(03/06/22)
76 - 77
SL
(03/06/22)
Position
7.16
60-yard
(03/06/22)
1.90 - 2.07
Pop Time
(02/28/21)
78
INF Velo
(02/28/21)
88
OF Velo
(03/06/22)
75
C Velo
(02/28/21)
96
Exit Velo
(03/06/22)
![Trackman](/images/stat_logos/trackman.png)
Trackman - Fastball
87.8
Velocity (max)
(03/06/22)
85.9 - 87.4
Velo Range
(03/06/22)
85.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(03/06/22)
2104
Spin Rate (max)
(02/11/23)
2003
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/11/23)
IVB (max)
(03/06/22)
IVB (avg)
(03/06/22)
HM (max)
(02/11/23)
HM (avg)
(02/11/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/28/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(02/11/23)
Spin Score (max)
(02/11/23)
Zone %
(03/06/22)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/11/23)
2023 New England ProCase (Invite Only)
Feb 11, 2023
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
87.1
Velo Range
85.6 - 87.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
84.5
Spin Rate (max)
2104
Spin Rate (avg)
2003
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
87.8
Velo Range
85.9 - 87.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
85.7
Spin Rate (max)
2094
Spin Rate (avg)
1983
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball 2.14.21
Feb 28, 2021
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
82.9
Velo Range
81.1 - 82.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
83.8
Spin Rate (max)
2010
Spin Rate (avg)
1888
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
77.9
Velocity (max)
(02/11/23)
75.4 - 77.6
Velo Range
(02/11/23)
73.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
(02/11/23)
1783
Spin Rate (max)
(02/28/21)
1605
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/11/23)
IVB (max)
(02/11/23)
IVB (avg)
(02/11/23)
HM (max)
(02/11/23)
HM (avg)
(02/11/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/28/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(02/11/23)
Spin Score (max)
(02/28/21)
Zone %
(02/28/21)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/11/23)
2023 New England ProCase (Invite Only)
Feb 11, 2023
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
77.9
Velo Range
75.4 - 77.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
73.3
Spin Rate (max)
1772
Spin Rate (avg)
1605
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
74.7
Velo Range
72.2 - 74.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
70.9
Spin Rate (max)
1518
Spin Rate (avg)
1348
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball 2.14.21
Feb 28, 2021
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
71.9
Velo Range
70.7 - 71.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
70.8
Spin Rate (max)
1783
Spin Rate (avg)
1573
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Slider
77.2
Velocity (max)
(03/06/22)
76.8 - 77.1
Velo Range
(03/06/22)
75.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
(03/06/22)
1736
Spin Rate (max)
(03/06/22)
1647
Spin Rate (avg)
(03/06/22)
IVB (max)
(03/06/22)
IVB (avg)
(03/06/22)
HM (max)
(03/06/22)
HM (avg)
(03/06/22)
Extension (avg)
(03/06/22)
Release Ht (avg)
(03/06/22)
Spin Score (max)
(03/06/22)
Zone %
(03/06/22)
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
77.2
Velo Range
76.8 - 77.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
75.5
Spin Rate (max)
1736
Spin Rate (avg)
1647
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - ChangeUp
78.0
Velocity (max)
(03/06/22)
74.9 - 78.0
Velo Range
(03/06/22)
75.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
(02/28/21)
1640
Spin Rate (max)
(02/11/23)
1588
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/11/23)
IVB (max)
(02/28/21)
IVB (avg)
(02/11/23)
HM (max)
(02/11/23)
HM (avg)
(02/11/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/28/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(02/11/23)
Spin Score (max)
(02/11/23)
Zone %
(03/06/22)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/11/23)
2023 New England ProCase (Invite Only)
Feb 11, 2023
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
77.8
Velo Range
75.7 - 77.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
74.7
Spin Rate (max)
1640
Spin Rate (avg)
1588
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
78
Velo Range
74.9 - 78
Eff Velocity (avg)
75.1
Spin Rate (max)
1537
Spin Rate (avg)
1473
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball 2.14.21
Feb 28, 2021
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
76
Velo Range
74.9 - 75.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
75.6
Spin Rate (max)
1521
Spin Rate (avg)
1326
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Hitting
96.0
Exit Velocity (max)
(03/06/22)
86.0
Exit Velocity (avg)
(03/06/22)
198
Distance (avg)
(03/06/22)
319
Distance (max)
(02/11/23)
Hard Hit %
(03/06/22)
Sweet Spot %
(03/06/22)
Line Drive %
(02/28/21)
Fly Ball %
(02/11/23)
Ground Ball %
(02/28/21)
2023 New England ProCase (Invite Only)
Feb 11, 2023
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
93.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
83
Distance (avg)
191
Distance (max)
319
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
96
Exit Velocity (avg)
86
Distance (avg)
198
Distance (max)
308
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball 2.14.21
Feb 28, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
91.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
84.3
Distance (avg)
174
Distance (max)
305
Hard Hit %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
![Blast](/images/stat_logos/blast.png)
Blast - Hitting
24.6
Hand Speed (max)
(02/11/23)
21.1
Hand Speed (avg)
(02/11/23)
73.0
Bat Speed (max)
(03/06/22)
69.8
Bat Speed (avg)
(02/11/23)
Rot. Acc (max)
(02/11/23)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(02/11/23)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(02/11/23)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(03/06/22)
2023 New England ProCase (Invite Only)
Feb 11, 2023
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
24.6
Hand Speed (avg)
21.1
Bat Speed (max)
72.4
Bat Speed (avg)
69.8
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Scout Day: CT Grind 3.6.22
Mar 6, 2022
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
21.6
Hand Speed (avg)
20.2
Bat Speed (max)
73
Bat Speed (avg)
69.4
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball 2.14.21
Feb 28, 2021
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
21
Hand Speed (avg)
20
Bat Speed (max)
72.7
Bat Speed (avg)
69.7
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
Videos
(3/6/22)
Player News
- Participants Have A Blast At New England Procase - Feb 23, 2023
- Results From 2023 New England ProCase - Feb 12, 2023
- 2023 New England ProCase Advanced Metrics: Trackman Analytics - Pitching Leaderboard - Feb 12, 2023
- 2023 New England ProCase Advanced Metrics: Hitting/Speed Leaderboard - Feb 12, 2023
- Hunkele Looks Forward To New Family At Merrimack - Oct 28, 2022
- 2022 Scout Day: CT Grind - Quick Hits - Mar 23, 2022
- Results From 2022 Scout Day: CT Grind - Mar 7, 2022
- 2021 Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball - Quick Hits - Mar 2, 2021
- Results From 2021 Scout Day: CT Grind Baseball - Mar 1, 2021
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Hunkele Looks Forward To New Family At Merrimack
“I used to be a catcher,” the 37th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in New England related. “Junior year was the first year I transitioned into being a pitcher and focusing on that.”
Merrimack saw the 5-11 180-pounder throw as well as hit at an All-Star Game the middle of June and interest in the 29th-ranked Connecticut senior began.
“He liked the fact that I was an athlete first,” explained Hunkele in reference to Merrimack head coach Brian Murphy. “He said I was talented on the mound but he could tell I was an athlete and able to do other things than just be a pitcher.”
Credit for making the decision to move away from behind the plate goes to coaches for the CT Grind.
“I always caught and pitched, but that wasn’t the best for my arm,” Hunkele noted. “My travel team head coach Mike Moras and coach Garrett Walker said in looking at your skills, you have a better opportunity at the next level as a pitcher/outfielder than catcher and I trusted them.”
The chance to do both at Merrimack helped sell Hunkele.
“That was another huge thing,” the 17-year-old said about what helped sway his college decision. “I enjoy being two-way, it means I can help my team win every single day. I want to help my team win every game. Coach Murphy said it wasn’t a sure thing, but he’s willing to give me a chance and that I was talented enough to be given a shot at two-way.”
There was more that stood out about Merrimack to the 100th-rated 2023 in New England.
“My whole thing is I didn’t want to go to just a good baseball school or just a good academic school,” Hunkele explained. “I wanted both. From my visit and in talking on the phone, he was very personable. They’re new to D-I and I want to help them take the step to being a powerhouse.”
Sacred Heart was the only other college to give an official offer to Hunkele, who went to check out Merrimack in late July.
“When I went on my visit I saw that he was a great guy and he gave me the time I needed to make a decision,” Hunkele said.
A commitment ended a recruiting process that was benefited by both PBR and the CT Grind.
“Every year since my freshman year I went to Scout Day with my travel team,” Hunkele reflected. “Trevor Brown (PBR Connecticut Director of Scouting) definitely supported me a lot at those. He’s a great guy and he even made comments when I caught that he wanted to see me on the mound. PBR really helped in getting my name out there.”
The decision did not come without some anxiety.
“This last summer was very stressful for me,” Hunkele admitted. “It’s obviously the next four years of your life. It’s probably the most stressful thing I’ve done in my life. I tried to enjoy it the most I could and I’m happy how it turned out.”
Once pitching became the focus, improvement on the mound proved helpful.
“My freshman year I sat 80 at tops,” Hunkele said. “When I made the switch to Grind for travel ball that helped with having good mentors. My high school pitching coach Mike Antonini also coaches with the Grind and he put in a lot of hours with me. Mentally, I had work to be done on the mound being a new position and not being as comfortable and I made a lot of good strides.”
A major in “something like sports medicine” is being considered by Hunkele, a 4.1 student who believes he can make a big impact in the Northeast Conference program.
“I compete every day and I know that no matter what is going on I’ll go 100 percent on the field and be someone that my teammates say ‘this guy has my back and will put everything out there.’” Hunkele said.
Admittedly, making a commitment was very memorable.
“It’s probably the happiest I’ve been, one of the top moments in my life,” Hunkele pointed out. “Since forever I’ve wanted to play at the highest level I can and Division I college baseball is it. Looking back, all the work I put in made for a surreal moment.”
The future brings excitement as well to the 13th-ranked senior right-handed pitcher in Connecticut.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the guys and having a new family for the next four years,” Hunkele concluded. “I’m fortunate to have that at my high school and having a new family in college is something I look forward to.”