- Full name Michael Anthony Palazzone
- Born 05/06/1989 in Marietta, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Georgia
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Drafted in the 24th round (731st overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011.
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Georgia used a strong finish to the season to made it back to NCAA regional play after an up-and-down regular season. One key for the Bulldogs' improvement over a 16-win season last year was its starting pitching, keyed by righthander Michael Palazzone. He was an unsigned 18th-round pick in 2008 by the Braves--one round after Tech ace Mark Pope--but headed to school. He was a draft-eligible sophomore last year but lasted until the 32nd round thanks to a straight, low-90s fastball that got pounded to the tune of 4-6, 8.66. He was a rock in 2011, though, going 10-5, 3.14 after a loss in regional play. He pitched somewhat like Pope this year, commanding a fringy fastball at 87-89 mph, touching 91 and showing more life than he did in the past. He's done a much better job throwing his slurvy breaking ball and changeup for strikes, and his pitch patterns have improved significantly. He's expected to be drafted in the first 12 rounds.