Carson Palmquist

Palmquist was a reliever for two years with Miami and in 2021 posted a 2.22 ERA over 44.2 innings, with 75 strikeouts and just eight walks—good for a 9.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He impressed in five innings with Team USA during the summer, striking out seven and walking none. Palmquist transitioned to a starting role this spring with Miami and continued to perform well. He posted a 2.89 ERA over 16 starts and 84 innings, with 118 strikeouts (32.9 K%) and 32 walks (8.9 BB%). His average velocity dropped a tick and he sat in the upper 80s and low 90s as a starter, compared to getting his fastball up into the 94-96 mph range out of the bullpen. Palmquist throws a changeup around 80 mph that generated whiffs 56% of the time this spring, and he also throws a slow and sweepy breaking ball in the mid 70s that plays up because of Palmquist’s arm slot more than any sharp or late-breaking action. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound lefty has a low, sidearm slot that creates difficult angles and adds deception to his entire pitch mix. Palmquist has the command to start, but his stuff might play better out of the bullpen.