Skip to main content

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 Second Baseman Scott Kingery

Scott Kingery, image- Jay Floyd
A second round draft choice in 2015, second baseman Scott Kingery is a talented player that many feel could be a fast moving prospect for the rebuilding Phillies.

Kingery, who was a walk-on as a freshman at Arizona, was named Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2015, in his junior season. That year, he posted a .392/.423/.561 slash line while driving in 36 runs and stealing 11 bases in 54 games as a member of the Wildcats.

In three college seasons, the right-handed batting Kingery sported a .351 batting average while driving in 80 runs and stealing 38 bases in 149 games.

Making his pro debut following the draft, the five-foot-10 180-pounder joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 66 games he tallied a .250/.314/.337 slash line while swiping 11 bags in 12 opportunities.

In 2016 Kingery opened the season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers.  In 94 games in the Florida State League, the 22-year-old posted a .293 average with 29 doubles, three triples, three homers, 28 RBI, 60 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.  He would be honored as an All-Star.

Promoted to Double-A Reading in late July, Kingery batted .250 with two homers, 18 RBI four steals in 37 contests. 

Also, he played in the prestigious Arizona Fall League over the off-season where he was once again honored as an All-Star.  In 20 games, Kingery batted .234 with three doubles, a home run, six RBI and five stolen bases.

Phillies fans will certainly love Kingery's style of play, as he is a very exciting young player with all the right tools to become an offensive catalyst at the highest levels of the sport.  He plays the game smartly and is a gritty, blue collar type of guy. 

Coaches in the Phils' system have been impressed with the Arizona native's preparation, standing out with his game preparation and work ethic.  He's also praised for being very coachable.
Very capable with the bat, Kingery projects to be a very good hitting second baseman that has some consistent pop and can spray the ball to all fields. He is a player that can set the table for his team at the top of the lineup, a spark plug that puts together great at bats.

Speed is a key weapon for him. Very quick-footed, Kingery should be a steady stolen base threat, even against the toughest batteries.

A great defender, Kingery features excellent range and quick hands. He's an exemplary second baseman with a strong arm that can lay out on batted balls in the hole and can turn double plays with the best of them. 

The Arizona native lists Chase Utley and Ian Kinsler among players that he admired and wished to emulate in his younger days.

In big league camp early in spring training, Kingery will get some valuable experience and some well-deserved exposure.  Look for him to open the 2017 campaign back in Reading, but with some solid numbers, he could see a promotion to Triple-A by mid-season.

You can follow along with this year’s Phillies prospects countdown by clicking this link.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...