Player Name: Mike Palazzolo
Position: SS
School: Hills East ’17, Stony Brook ’21
Mike is a sophomore shortstop for Hills East that is already verbally committed to playing for Stony Brook in the fall of 2017. After watching him for just one game it is apparent why a Division-I team would be infatuated with his play.
Offense: He is a left-handed batter that bats with a very wide stance with his front leg bent slightly in towards the plate. He rests the bat on his back parallel to the ground as the pitcher is in the set position. Once the pitcher begins his leg kick, he lifts his bat off his shoulder and cocks it back. He has a slight leg kick. Mike lets the ball travel deep and trusts his explosive bat speed to drive the baseball. He makes contact with the ball while his weight his evenly distributed and he employs a strong ‘Power L’ position. Immediately after he makes contact he is already on his way to first base.
He went 3-for-4 in this game (single, double, HR), with all three hits being pull shots. The double and HR were both on middle-in fastballs that he drove to straightaway right field. The single was on a low fastball that he served into right field above the second baseman. That was impressive because it was a pitcher’s pitch and he simply did what he could.
On the ground out, he hit it towards the 5.5 hole but the shortstop made a nice backhanded play and threw him out by a step.
He was also intentionally walked in this game. He displayed good patience in his first at bat when he took a fastball up and a fastball low that both missed narrowly. He fouled off one down the middle prior to his double. His home run was on the first pitch. His RBI single was on a 1-0 count, so clearly he likes to swing the bat.
Defensively: He only had a few chances in this game but he was smooth and converted all his opportunities. You can see he has great instincts and gets a great jump on groundballs. He has a strong throwing arm and has fluid movements.
Base Running: He didn’t steal any bases but judging by his speed around the bases he definitely will. He runs like a deer.
Based on this game, it’s hard to critique anything. He went 3-for-4, he was aggressive at the plate, he didn’t make any errors and he hustled at all times.
