- Full name Owen Paino
- Born 12/30/2005 in Poughkeepsie, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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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.
