David Palladino

A Dodgers 13th-round pick in 2011 from a New Jersey high school, Palladino spent 2012 at South Carolina-Upstate, where he required surgery to repair damage to a tendon in his knee. He transferred to Howard for his sophomore season, making him draft-eligible a year ahead of schedule. A 6-foot-9, 255-pounder, he does a good job of keeping his big body under control and throws with little effort. Palladino uses his size to create difficult angle and plane on his pitches. He throws an 89-94 mph fastballs with boring and sinking action. His mid-70s curveball features nice bite when he maintains a direct line to the plate. He has scrapped a splitter to go with a straight changeup with armside run, and he also uses a slider. He has made progress with his command this spring, and some scouts prefer him to Hawks teammate David Gates. If Palladino doesn't turn pro, he'll transfer to Louisiana State.