Streaking Slugfest

David Hinkel approached each at bat as if it were the first of the season. 

Standing in the batter’s box with his bat slung over his right shoulder, the Bradenton Christian School senior shortstop focused on the task at hand: putting the ball into play and helping his team secure another win. 

The Panthers captain sized up the opposing pitcher, dug in his cleats and awaited the first pitch. Within seconds, Hinkel connected with the ensuing pitch, sending it to the opposite end of the field. 

A similar scene would replay itself throughout the season as Hinkel mounted a 25-game hitting streak to close out his high school career. Hinkel notched a hit in each of Bradenton Christian’s games this season while posting a team-leading .512 batting average. 

“I didn’t (really) think about it each game,” Hinkel says. “I just tried to take it at bat by at bat, and it turned out to be a big accomplishment at the end of the year.” 

Hinkel strives to be a complete all-around player. As a result, he spends an average of at least two hours a day working on hitting in a batting cage at his house. In doing so, Hinkel has become more in tune with what he describes as the toughest part of the game. 

Hinkel’s hard work paid off earlier this month when he signed a national letter-of-intent to play baseball for Southeastern University in Lakeland. 

Hinkel, who plans to study business marketing, chose Southeastern over Ave Maria University and Hillsborough Community College. 

 “It’s a top program, and I’m excited to show them that I can help and to get the experience of competing with the best talent and further elevate my game,” Hinkel says. 

Hinkel began playing baseball when he was 3. He bounced around to various local Little Leagues before landing at Manatee Cal Ripken Baseball at Heritage Harbour at age 9. Hinkel played his way up through the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth leagues. 

“I didn’t (really) think about it each game. I just tried to take it at bat by at bat, and it turned out to be a big accomplishment at the end of the year.” 

– David Hinkel

 

“I’ve always had a passion for the game,” Hinkel says. “It’s just my thing. I love it. I enjoy winning, and I like to compete.” 

As an eighth-grader, Hinkel tried out for the baseball program at ELEV|8 Sports Institute, in Delray Beach, an athlete development and sports academy similar to IMG Academy. 

Hinkel spent his freshman and sophomore years on the East Coast receiving professional training in the hopes of improving his game. 

“It taught me how to compete with the best (MLB) draft and Division I players,” Hinkel says. “It gave me confidence, and I learned a lot from them. I played with players from all over the world. It was such a good opportunity and something I definitely needed.” 

Hinkel returned home for his junior and senior seasons, taking control of the infield and leading Bradenton Christian in batting average for each of the past two seasons. 

After spending last summer playing travel ball for Pro Style Baseball Academy in Fort Myers, Hinkel, who graduated May 22, plans to spend the offseason hitting in his batting cage while also training at Cooper Speed-Strength School in Tampa. 

“It’s all about mindset,” Hinkel says. “I have to flip the switch to the next level. There’s going to be harder competition, so I have to be locked in because everyone is top talent.” 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].