Owen Paino

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #87 prospect in 2024 draft
  School: Ketcham HS, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Commit/Drafted: Ole Miss
  Age At Draft: 18.6
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 40. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  Paino is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound shortstop and lefthanded hitter who became one of the top players in the 2024 class as an underclassman thanks to his size and well-rounded baseball instincts. He’s a relaxed hitter at the plate who tracks pitches well, controls the zone and has a chance for above-average raw power, though he struggled to perform during the 2023 showcase circuit against the top pitchers in the class. Paino doesn’t have elite bat speed but has the size and strength to hit plenty of home runs at physical maturity and has always shown the sort of approach and swing decisions that should lead to strong on-base percentages. His offensive upside will ultimately depend on the quality of his hit tool, which is one of the biggest questions scouts now have with him. Paino is a fluid and graceful defender at shortstop who has reliable hands, smooth footwork and an advanced internal clock. He makes all the plays on balls he can get to, but he’s more of a slow-twitch athlete who is a below-average runner underway and might not have the quickness necessary to stick up the middle in the long run. He can throw from multiple angles with above-average arm strength and has above-average defensive tools for third base. Paino is committed to Mississippi.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #15 prospect in 2024

• 2024 High School Top 100 Draft Prospects
  School: Ketcham HS, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Committed: Ole Miss
  Age At Draft: 18.6
  Paino stands out immediately for his size as a 6-foot-3, 205-pound shortstop. Yet it’s Paino’s polish, instincts and smooth, easy operation that stand out more than just his physicality. Paino has a relaxed, balanced swing from the left side, starting with a simple lower half load before turning the barrel with a smooth, compact swing. He tracks pitches well, controls the strike zone and stays behind the ball well with good bath path, leading to frequent contact and a true all-fields approach. There are times where Paino will show some swing-and-miss on fastballs up in the zone, but he has a knack for being on time and barreling balls in games. Piano has all the traits you want to see from a good hitter, but he struggled with performance during the 2023 showcase circuit against top arms. He doesn’t have the elite bat speed of some of the other premium players in the 2024 class, but with his size, there’s obvious strength projection to grow into more power, though his strength as a hitter now leans more toward his on-base skills. Paino’s maturity and high baseball IQ are evident at the plate and in the field. He’s a below-average runner underway, but he has a quick first step and reads the ball well off the bat. If Paino does physically outgrow shortstop, he could be a plus defender at third base with the offensive game to fit well there, but right now he has the actions, instincts and body control for shortstop, where his hands and feet work well and his internal clock helps him slow the game down. For a bigger-bodied shortstop, he ranges well to all angles and finishes plays with a strong arm. Paino is committed to Ole Miss.