C Hugh Pinkney, 17th round (510th) – San Diego Padres
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont.
Bats/Throws: L/R.
Height/Weight: 6’ 2” 184 lbs.
Teams: Ontario Terriers/Junior National Team/Diamond Jacks Super 17.
Scout: Chris Kemlo.
Coaches: Dean Dicenzo, Greg Hamilton, Kevin Cust.
Previous Teams: Team Northeast, Etobicoke Rangers.
Previous Coaches: Rick Johnston, Kevin Hussey, Greg O’Halloran, Scott VandeValk, Colin Pinkney.
Good genes: Mom (Charlene O’Connor) swam and competed in water polo at McMaster University ... dad (Colin Pinkney) played rugby at Mac ... great Uncle (Bob Pinkney) was a running back in the CFL ... Uncle (Brendan O’Connor): Played university football and Junior hockey.
Rankings: Top catcher in province ... 200th best catcher in North America.
Interested teams: San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins
Commited: Rutgers University.
The most influential person in his my baseball life: “Has been my dad (Colin). He introduced me to the game at when I was a baby and was one of the reasons why I fell in love with baseball. He coached me in the younger years and still spends extra hours working with me, throwing batting practice. He is still my No. 1 fan. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today in baseball or in life.
The most influential person in my baseball life beside my father: “Geoff McCallum has been my trainer for six years in the Denny Berni’s Pro Teach High Performance program. Geoff has helped in all aspects of my game including my strength and conditioning, speed, defence and hitting. I always look to Geoff for advice because I know he has my back and was a successful pro player himself (one year in the Mariners system, one in the Marlins organization and six playing independent ball). I owe him a lot.”
2021 season with Diamond Jacks Super 17s _ batted .533 (8-for-15) with two doubles, six RBIs and a 1.200 OPS to earn all-toourney honors in Marietta, Ga. ... Batted .714 (10-for-5) with five doubles, a homer two homers and a 2.050 OPS in Staten Island ... With Team Northeast ... hit .667 (4-for-6) with a double, an RBI and an OPS of 1.467.
2022 honors with Ontario Terriers and Diamond Jacks _ Perfect Game/Rawlings All Region First Team ... All-American and All-Region Teams Canada/Puerto Rico _ 2021 with Diamond Jacks Super 17s _ Earned berth on the All Tournament Team at WWBA 2022 Grads or 17U National Championship in Marietta, Ga. ... Gained All Tournament recognition at PG Super25 17U National Championship at Staten Island ... With Team Northeast _ Gained All Tournament Team at WWBA World Championship.
