Daniel Palka on Red Sox system: 'I have wanted to get to this organization for a long time'
Friday evening in Worcester was Opening Day for the WooSox 2023 season and also the first game in the Red Sox organization for Daniel Palka.
Palka turned pro in 2013 after being selected in the third round of the MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. During his long career in minor league ball, Palka made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2018 and spent parts of two seasons in the majors.
The Red Sox signed Palka to a minor league deal this offseason, and the newly acquired slugger is thrilled about his new team.
“Since I got here in the spring, I have loved the way they run spring training.” Palka said. “I told a lot of people I have wanted to get to this organization for a long time because I know a lot of former players and staff and they are good people. It is a good group to be around.”
Palka got his 2023 season started on Opening Day with a HR to dead center field over the bushes.
The power has always been there for the 31-year-old lefty, who has hit 180 homeruns in his minor league career with another 29 while in the majors.
The power and contact have been there, so what would be the one thing to improve upon the most? Defense.
“First base has been a newer position for me, and I have liked playing it a lot.” Palka added. “I will be in left field, right field, first base, and DH. I will be wherever they can’t fit the prospects that day. We have a stacked team so wherever they need me is where I will be that day.”
Even Palka knows his swing works well with the quirky Fenway Park angles. I asked him if he enjoyed playing at JetBlue and having the “mini Monster” in left field there that resembles the Green Monster at Fenway.
“I like hitting the other way towards the monster and can sneak some hits in there that would usually be flyouts.” Palka recalled. “I played at Fenway a couple times and have stolen some cheap hits off the wall a time or two.”
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