Daniel Palka

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #9 prospect in 2017
  The Diamondbacks took Palka in the third round in 2013 and dealt him in November 2015 to the Twins for catcher Chris Hermann. He opened 2016 at Double-A Chattanooga with a display of power and punchouts, and that pattern continued after a promotion to Triple-A Rochester. He finished fourth in the minors in home runs (34) and third in strikeouts (186). Palka has led the minor leagues with 63 homers since 2015. Much like former farmhand Adam Brett Walker, Palka has huge raw power and an all-or-nothing approach that leads to egregious strikeout totals. However, Palka features a more well-rounded tool set than Walker, and while he'll likely never hit for a high average, the Twins have more conviction that Palka will be able to make the necessary adjustments to hit just enough at the next level. He batted .267/.319/.527 against lefthanders in 2016--a touch better than he hit against righties. Though not an outstanding athlete, Palka is a serviceable defender in right field and his strong arm helps make up for some of his deficiencies in range. Palka is coming off his best pro season and is on the cusp of cracking the big league roster at some point in 2017, where he could provide some needed thump either off of the bench or in an outfield corner.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #30 prospect in 2015
  Palka led the Atlantic Coast Conference in home runs at Georgia Tech in 2013, prompting the Diamondbacks to pop him in the third round and sign him for $550,000. He made his full-season debut in 2014 and tied for the low Class A Midwest League home run lead despite a broken hamate bone ending his season in mid-August. He's got legit raw power generated by strong hands, but holes in the inner half and lack of ideal bat speed concern many scouts. Palka handles southpaws just as well as righthanders, posting an identical .798 OPS against both sides in 2014. He swings and misses frequently, which he'll need to address as he moves higher in the system, but he draws his fair share of walks. Palka will be ready to move to the friendly hitting environs of the high Class A California League in 2015.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #17 prospect in 2014
  Arizona shifted its focus from power pitchers to power bats for their second- and third-round picks in the 2013 draft, taking Justin Williams in the third, followed by Palka, the Atlantic Coast Conference home run champ, in the fourth. Palka started his pro career at Rookie-level Missoula after signing for $550,000. He played mostly right field and pitched at Georgia Tech because of his strong left arm, but his lack of athleticism resulted in a move to first base in pro ball. Palka hit well at both Missoula and then short-season Hillsboro, though a hitch in his swing results in plenty of whiffs. He's got strong hands and plenty of bat speed, so the raw power should play when he solidifies his approach and gets used to seeing better breaking stuff. Palka is still very raw at first base but made improvements with footwork and positioning during instructional league. He'll make his full-season debut in 2014 with a probable assignment to low Class A South Bend.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #112 prospect in 2013 draft
  At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, what Palka lacks in subtlety he makes up for with brute force. He smashed 24 homers in his first two seasons, rarely getting cheated with his swing, and was leading the ACC with 15 homers with a week left in the regular season. His grip-it-and-rip-it approach will always lead to strikeouts, and he hasn't added much polish in three seasons. He still has holes down and away or in on his hands, but he has the strength to hit balls out of any park. Palka is a fringy athlete who has played right field for most of his college career, and he has plenty of arm strength, having pitched nine scoreless innings over the last two seasons. Most scouts want a better athlete and runner in right field than Palka, who may fall back to left or to first base as a pro. His plus arm would be wasted at first, but if he hits enough, it won't matter.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Diamondbacks took Palka in the third round in 2013 and dealt him in November 2015 to the Twins for catcher Chris Hermann. He opened 2016 at Double-A Chattanooga with a display of power and punchouts, and that pattern continued after a promotion to Triple-A Rochester. He finished fourth in the minors in home runs (34) and third in strikeouts (186). Scouting Report: Much like fellow farmhand Adam Brett Walker, Palka has huge raw power and an all-or-nothing approach that leads to egregious strikeout totals. However, Palka features a more well-rounded tool set than Walker, and while he'll likely never hit for a high average, the Twins have more conviction that Palka will be able to make the necessary adjustments to hit just enough at the next level. He batted .267/.319/.527 against lefthanders in 2016--a touch better than he hit against righties. Though not an outstanding athlete, Palka is a serviceable defender in right field and his strong arm helps make up for some his deficiencies in range.
  
  The Future: Palka is coming off his best pro season and is on the cusp of cracking the big league roster at some point in 2017, where he could provide some needed thump either off of the bench or in an outfield corner.