Ramsey native Trent Palmer preparing for MLB Draft

Former Anoka high school pitcher Trent Palmer is preparing for the MLB Draft. He is draft-eligible again, after completing three years for Jacksonville University’s team.

KSTP Sports talked to Palmer earlier this month, learning how much he’s doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, what interviews have been like with MLB front offices, what round he could potentially, land in, and more.

Day 1 of the draft will be June 10 at 6 p.m. and include the first round (37 picks). Rounds 2-5 (123 picks) will begin at 4 p.m. the following day.

After that, teams can sign an unlimited number of players for up to $20,000.

***Click the video box on this page to watch our chat with Palmer, and to see him throw***

MLB Pipeline ranks Palmer No. 115 on its top-200 list. Here is their write-up:

While not a prototype for a starting pitcher size-wise (6-foot-1, 230 pounds), some scouts do feel he has the chance to stick in a rotation because of his ability to maintain velocity and have a three- or four-pitch mix. He throws his fastball in the 91-96 mph range with good sink and he backs it up with a pair of solid secondary offerings. His changeup is a splitter thrown with good arm speed and downward action in the 82-84 mph range, and he throws a 79-83 mph slider with sweeping action, but with some depth. He can toss in a slower curveball in the low 70s, but it’s definitely a fourth pitch.

A source told KSTP that the Yankees are among organizations showing strong interest in Palmer. He started pitching for Anoka’s varsity team as a sophomore.

Palmer and Woodbury native Max Meyer (Gophers) are the two Minnesotans expected to get drafted. Meyer, a pitcher for the Gophers, is gaining a lot of buzz as a top 10-15 pick.