Meet Striker Pence, ‘a complete unicorn’ and the nephew of former Phillie Hunter Pence

Striker Pence was one of the 46,000 fans in attendance when the Phillies took on the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park during the National League Division Series in 2011. His uncle, Hunter Pence, was the Phillies’ starting right fielder, batting third in the lineup.

Striker doesn’t remember anything from his visit to the stadium. He was just 2 years old at the time and hadn’t been back since. But on Friday, it was his turn to be on the field at the Bank as the players for the Perfect Game All-American Classic took batting practice and scrimmaged ahead of Sunday’s game. And Pence said he was ready to “enjoy every minute of it.”

Wearing two gloves for batting practice and his socks hidden under his pants, Pence didn’t appear to have any of the oddities his uncle was recognized for. But when he’s back home in Corona, Calif., Pence said he’ll wear his socks above the knee like his uncle does — just one of the quirks the two have in common.

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“Our swings are both funky. Everything we do is funky,” said the younger Pence. “But we get it done.”

Pence’s left-handed swing involves bringing his knee up high, similar to how a pitcher would, which makes sense for the two-way player.

The 17-year-old, who throws right-handed, has a four-seam fastball that maxes out at 101 mph and usually sits in the high 90s. His changeup clocks in the high 80s, and his slider hits the mid-80s.

He said he’s never wanted to choose between pitching and hitting the way most players do when they get to high school. In an era of baseball with most players having a specialty, he said Shohei Ohtani is changing things. But his desire to be a two-way player predates Ohtani, and said he “must have had something click,” when he was younger, giving him a love for both roles.

“I’ve always wanted to be a two-way, and then [Ohtani] showing it, showing teams it’s possible, makes it awesome,” Pence said. “I’m good at both. I’m going to keep doing it as long as I can.”

That’s what makes him one of the top prospects in the 2027 MLB draft. Currently ranked seventh overall in the nation and second for right-handed pitchers in the Class of 2027 by Perfect Game, Pence reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027 on June 4.

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Rather than spend another year in high school, Pence said the decision comes from being “content” with playing at the next level, whether that be within an MLB organization or a college team.

Being drafted seems like the probable next step. MLB.com and Perfect Game list him as a first round-pick at 19th and 23rd, respectively, in their mock drafts.

Jered Goodwin, Perfect Game’s vice president of scouting operations, said Pence is “a complete unicorn.”

“Unique is the absolute word for Striker,” Goodwin said. “We, as a company, have not seen somebody that young throw as hard as he does, typically around the zone, and be able to have the left-handed power that he does. There have been a handful of two-way guys that have been high draft picks over the last couple years, but nobody that has had his power profile that we’ve seen, at least in the last 10 or 15 years.”

Pence plans on improving his speed offensively and his command when pitching before next year’s draft. Off the field, his poise doesn’t need much refining.

Since he’s attended Perfect Game events at around 13 years old, Goodwin said Pence has always known what he wants out of an experience and how to get it.

This disposition translates to the field and in the clubhouse. Earlier this summer, Pence went to a national showcase with Perfect Game just to field balls at first base and help his team out. Goodwin said Pence’s pedigree, and learning how to be both a competitor and a teammate from a young age, explains his demeanor.

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“Nature and nurture is both a big thing,” Goodwin said. “The Pence family are tremendous people, so it’s no doubt that he picked up a lot of those qualities from first off, his parents, and then, obviously, secondly, his uncle.”

The “quiet confidence” Goodwin described Pence demonstrating was learned from his uncle, who taught him the importance of uplifting himself as a player.

“Confidence is one of the highest things that you could do,” Striker said. “It makes you perform the best, and all it takes is you to just think about it and believe in yourself.”

While it was his uncle who passed down his idiosyncrasies and mindset, Pence’s father and Hunter’s brother, Howard, helped him with the rest. Howard helped his son throw and hit in the backyard and with workouts. Striker said his dad taught him “everything that I know.”

Howard Pence also was a pitcher and played in the minor leagues with the Astros and Padres affiliates. He threw a cutter that reached up to 97 mph, according to Striker.

Now, Striker said his teammates and opponents are also playing a role in aiding in his development. Being surrounded by top-level talent is helping him hone his skills as he prepares for his draft year, and he expects the Perfect Game All-American Classic on Sunday to help, too.

“Playing against the best talent, seeing the best pitchers, and facing the best hitters, it just makes you better, overall, more prepared,” Pence said. “These guys are all going to be at the next level. So am I, so you got to get used to it.”