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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: From the game of baseball, I have learned that you can never get too high or too low on yourself. If you get too high, you are just setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. Also, you can’t get too low on yourself because without confidence, nothing is possible. Whether it is hitting a baseball or a real life situation, it is impossible to do anything without confidence that you can get the job done.

 

PBR:  If you were a baseball scout and just watched yourself play, what would that scouting report look like?

 

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. 

Egnatuk: This off-season, I am working hard to have a successful high school season. We have high school winter practices Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I also hit with my hitting coach Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I lift four days throughout the week.

 

PBR: If you could only pick one, who would be your biggest baseball influence and why? 

 

Egnatuk: I would say with no doubt my dad. I can’t remember the last game I played when my dad wasn’t there watching. This past summer he took off of work for a week to go to Georgia, a week to go to Florida, and a week to go to California to watch me play. He never has anything bad to say after a bad game because he understands that even the best guys in the game fail seven out of ten times. He also has some professional experience so when it comes to a quick fix between games, he knows what is wrong.

PBR: Name three goals for the upcoming 2017 season 

Egnatuk: 
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.

PBR: Do you have any pregame superstitions?

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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