OHIO CITY, Oh - Senior outfielder Max Palinski will be heading to Columbus next fall to continue his academic and baseball career at The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes are gaining a student-athlete who batted .411 in his junior year last season. Palinski has been a member of the varsity baseball team since his sophomore year and has been an everyday player for Head Baseball Coach Brad Ganor.
"The recruitment process was pretty long; many kids on my summer team committed at the beginning of their sophomore year," explains Palinski. "Ohio State came along after the end of last season, they have a new coaching staff and they liked how I played and ended up being my choice."
Palinski's commitment to the Buckeyes comes in the middle of the football season, where he is a starting outside linebacker for Defensive Coordinator Ryan Franzinger's '02 defense. Palinski is a dual sport athlete who has excelled in football and baseball.
"He provides a unique toughness and grit which he gets from playing linebacker," explains Ganor. "That mentality spills over into the baseball world and serves him well."
In his junior year, Palinski led the team in the On Base Percentage department with a .494 OBP. He was second on the team with 30 hits, seven of those going for extra bases. Palinski would collect 12 RBIs, batting in the heart of the Wildcat lineup.
"I always describe Max as a thoroughbred; he runs the bases like a racehorse," Ganor says. "He has a strong persona about him when it comes to his playing. I think that is why Ohio State liked him and wanted him."
Palinski made a significant jump from his sophomore to his junior year, which was witnessed by the Ohio State Baseball program. "I continued to grow in every aspect, becoming a better person and better teammate," explains Palinski. "From an attribute perspective, I wanted to continue to strengthen my arm. I believe that is the best aspect of my game in the outfield."
The Buckeyes have a new coaching staff coming into the 2023 season at Ohio State. Bill Mosiello was named the next head coach over the summer after a long tenure at Texas Christian University. Mosiello will be getting a pair of Wildcat ball players in the next couple of years with Palinski and, in the class of 2024, Sawyer Solitaria.
What makes Palinski a dangerous hitter is his patience at the plate. In 2021, he drew 12 walks. "He has a tremendous eye at the dish," Ganor says. "Max doesn't get rung up on a lot of pitches. He knows the strike zone well, making him a great hitter."
The Baseball Cats were District Champions a season ago and fell just short of the Regional Championship. Palinski will be an anchor and captain for the Wildcats when the spring season arrives. "He is a quiet leader but has opinions," explains Ganor. "He has a vision of what he wants the program to be and is willing to share it and leads by example."
It should be another season to remember for the baseball program, but there is the business to take care of first for Palinski as he competes with the Football Cats in the fall. Congratulations to Palinski as he becomes a Buckeye next fall.