Carson Palmquist is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Colorado Rockies organization. He was drafted by the Rockies in the third round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft out of the University of Miami.
Palmquist’s strengths lie primarily in his impressive pitching arsenal. He features a fastball that typically sits in the low-to-mid 90s, but has shown the ability to reach the upper 90s. However, it’s his secondary pitches that truly set him apart. His slider is considered his best pitch, a sharp, sweeping offering that is effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters. He also throws a changeup, which is still developing but has shown flashes of potential as a weapon to disrupt hitters’ timing. The combination of these pitches, especially the fastball-slider combo, makes him a difficult matchup for opposing batters.
During his time at the University of Miami, Palmquist established himself as a dominant force on the mound. He consistently demonstrated excellent strikeout numbers, showcasing his ability to miss bats. In 2022, his final season with the Hurricanes, he pitched to a 3.61 ERA with 118 strikeouts in just 72 1/3 innings. This dominant performance solidified his status as a top pitching prospect and drew considerable attention from MLB scouts.
While Palmquist possesses a high ceiling, he also has areas where he needs to refine his skills. Command and control are aspects of his game that require further development. At times, he can struggle with consistent accuracy, leading to walks and increased pitch counts. Improving his ability to consistently locate his pitches within the strike zone will be crucial for his long-term success at the professional level. Additionally, further development of his changeup is important to give him another weapon against right-handed hitters.
Since being drafted, Palmquist has begun his professional career in the Rockies’ minor league system. He’s steadily working on the aforementioned areas of improvement, focusing on honing his command and refining his changeup. The Rockies are likely taking a patient approach with his development, allowing him to gain valuable experience and make the necessary adjustments to succeed at higher levels. His progress in the minors will be closely monitored as he continues his journey toward potentially reaching the major leagues.
Palmquist projects as a potential mid-rotation starting pitcher with the potential to be a valuable asset for the Rockies in the future. His electric stuff and impressive strikeout ability offer significant upside. As he continues to refine his command and develop his secondary pitches, he has the opportunity to evolve into a more complete and consistent pitcher, making him a player to watch in the coming years.
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