• Full name Joseph Gale Pankake
  • Born 11/23/1992 in Easley, SC
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School South Carolina
  • Drafted in the 7th round (220th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2014 (signed for $165,000).
    View Draft Report
    The Rangers went into South Carolina for two late picks in 2011, unable to sign Pankake in the 42nd round but signing righthander C.J. Edwards in the 48th. Edwards quickly emerged as a prospect and wound up headlining a trade with the Cubs for Matt Garza. Pankake went to South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks to the 2012 College World Series as a freshman shortstop. He has stepped back as a junior, having dipped from 11 home runs last year to five entering the Southeastern Conference tournament. Scouts never thought he would stick at shortstop as a pro, but he played plenty of left field in 2014 as well as third base, and scouts aren't convinced he can handle the hot corner. His arm strength has backed up a bit as well, now rating as average. Pankake has strength in his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame and solid-average hitting and power tools, with polish to his approach. He's solid across the board but doesn't appear to have a consistent carrying tool.

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