Q&A with North Carolina commit Cade Palkowski
February 2, 2023
Without a doubt OF Cade Palkowski (Oak Creek, 2024; North Carolina commit) had one of the most productive calendar years in the state. Starting at the South Milwaukee Preseason ID, Palkowski’s athleticism impressed early and often as he started his day with a 6.86 in the 60-yard dash. He then took one of the more impressive rounds of BP of the day, topping at 94.6 mph on his hardest hit ball. Then after a successful sophomore campaign for his Oak Creek squad, Palkowski was set to shine all across the summer circuit. While there were many instances of Palkowski impressing in the summer, one of his top performances came on the summer’s biggest stage, the PBR Future Games. After registering some of the best metrics on Team Wisconsin during the workout day of the event, but Palkowski really shined during the live gameplay portion of the weekend. During game one of the weekend he tallied a ground-rule double to bring home two runs, en route to a win for Team Wisconsin against a talented Michigan squad. Then in game three Palkowski continued to just flat-out hit as he ripped a 98.4 mph triple to the batter's eye which put the finishing touches on one of the top performances from Team Wisconsin of the weekend.
After his standout weekend down in Georgia, our staff didn’t expect Palkowski to be uncommitted for long and sure enough in September he announced his commitment to North Carolina. We recently caught up with the future Tar Heel to talk about his recruitment process, favorite baseball memory and much more in this edition of our Q&A series.
LATEST SCOUTING REPORT
Cade Palkowski
Class of 2024 / OF
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2024
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Primary Position: OFSecondary Position: LHP
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High School: Oak CreekState: WI
- Summer Team: Hitters
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Height: 5-11Weight: 190lbs
- Bat/Throw: L/L
Videos
(7/27/22)
OUR Q&A
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Palkowski: To be honest I did not know what to expect going into it, everyone’s recruiting process is different but I was looking for a high academic school with a baseball team that felt like a family.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Palkowski: No it did not, I wanted to go wherever I got an opportunity to play and be apart of a baseball family.
PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
Palkowski: Recruiting started for me 8th grade summer but it really started to pick up during my sophomore year summer after future games. North Carolina first saw me play at Future Games this year.
PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Palkowski: I really like how the coaches made me feel like family to them. They were patient with me during the whole recruiting process and didn’t rush me into such a big decision. Also how could you not love baby blue.
PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Palkowski: After everything slowed down I narrowed by schools down to North Carolina and Oregon.
PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Palkowski: Freshman year summer ball I realized I could take it to the next level. That is when I quit basketball and really focused on baseball during the winter.
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Palkowski: Get in the weight room and just have fun. When you think to much while playing the game you are going to make more mistakes you have to learn to forget about the things you didn’t do good and just have fun.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Palkowski: Cooperstown with the Oak Creek Dark Knights. We were together since 8u and It was the last tournament that we were playing together before going to different teams to take our game to the next level. Also committing to the University of North Carolina.
PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
Palkowski: I think we will be very good we have a lot of good talent coming back including Jatinder Singh, a player that is not on a lot of people’s radars but should be.
PBR: How did the Future Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event?
Palkowski: The Future Games really helped my recruiting process and sped it up for me I received a lot more attention right after the event ended.
PBR: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?
Palkowski: I would take SS JD Dix's (Whitefish Bay, 2024; Alabama commit) switch hitting ability.
PBR: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
Palkowski: C Nathan Schopf (2025) from Oak Creek High School. Kid is a beast.
RELATED CONTENT
Scouting Report
Palkowski is listed at 5-foot-11, 190-pounds with good proportions and strength throughout. Cade impressed in the batting practice portion of the Future Games, using a short compact handsy swing to hit line drives to all fields reaching exit velos of 96 mph. The simple short trigger, short stride and strength in his hands lends itself to good strike zone decisions and the ability to adjust to different ways pitchers are attacking. Palkowski is also a bursty runner who gets good jumps and takes appropriate routes to run down balls in centerfield. Cade also showed impressive arm strength throwing 87 mph from the outfield during defensive work. Cade Palkowski is an uncommitted high ceiling prospect who is going to be a great addition at the next level.