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FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Spotlight: Scott Kingery

June 16, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


Scott Kingery lived a dream when he was 12 years old.

"At the time, I thought it was the best thing that could happen," Kingery says.

In 2006, Kingery and his twin brother Sam played for the Ahwatukee, Arizona, squad that advanced all the way to the Little League World Series, which takes place in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

"I thought it was the coolest experience ever."

"We got to play on TV, on ESPN. We played in front of more fans than I've seen in my entire life," Kingery says. "And just being able to travel that far to go play baseball and be one of eight teams from America left, it was just an incredible experience.

"At the time, I didn't think it got any better than that."

The Ahwatukee team, managed by Scott's father, Tom Kingery, went 2-1 in the series but was eliminated prior to the semi-finals after losing to Georgia, the team that would eventually win the Little League World Series.

Kingery says that despite the large crowds of tens of thousands, nerves did not play a factor.

"At that point I wasn't thinking about pressure situations or anything, it was more just having fun with my team."

And enjoying the VIP treatment.

"That was probably the first time I ever had to sign autographs and do interviews," Kingery says.

"We would come out of our dorm rooms or barracks that they had us staying in and there would be lines just waiting to get autographs in. I had never dealt with that before so it was a pretty cool experience, but at the same time it was kind of overwhelming."

With that once-in-a-lifetime experience behind them, the Kingery brothers continued on to play for Mountain Pointe High School, solidifying the middle infield for the Pride.

"Everyone said that since we were twins we kind of knew where each other were going to be the whole time, so we made some plays that people were like, 'How did you even do that? How did you know he was going to be right there?

"The chemistry up the middle was incredible, and it was kind of true because we always knew where one another was going to be, so we knew who was going to cover the bag if there was a ball up the middle, and who was going to go after and dive at that ball, so it was awesome playing with him."

Despite getting a taste of the high life at a young age, Kingery has had to battle to get where he is today.

Kingery had nothing handed to him out of high school. He was undrafted, and unrecruited by Division I schools.

Despite a steady stream of scouts present at Mountain Pointe's games, Kingery went mostly overlooked. He was not the glamorous, middle-of-order bat. He was the small-statured middle infielder who made things happen.

"I was committed to Central Arizona college, which is a junior college in Casa Grande, Arizona, but other than that I didn't have any Division I offers," Kingery says. "I talked to a few people but nothing was really set in stone, no one actually offered any scholarship money or anything so I just took my chances at Arizona."

Kingery arrived as one of around 50 players competing for 32 regular-season roster spots. While many were already guaranteed a place on the spring club, Kingery was one who had to prove himself to earn one of the few remaining slots.

Not only did he secure his spot, Kingery won a starting gig as the opening day left fielder.

He spent most of his first collegiate season as a corner outfielder, and manned centerfield as a sophomore before returning to the infield as a second baseman for his junior year.

That season, Kingery broke out to lead the PAC-12 with a .392 batting average and was honored as the PAC-12's 2015 Player of the Year.

It all culminated in a second-round selection - 48th overall - by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2015 MLB Draft. He quickly reached an agreement with the Phillies on June 16. Considered an advanced second baseman, Kingery skipped over short-season ball and reported to Low-A Lakewood to make his professional debut on June 25th.

Kingery entered this season as the No. 14 prospect in the Philadelphia system, as rated by Baseball America. Now 22, he has hit .263 in his first 60 games with Clearwater, showcasing strong speed and awareness on the bases, and an ability to make adjustments at the plate and use all fields. Honored as a Florida State League All-Star, he also leads the FSL with 22 doubles.

Prior to his debut in Clearwater, Kingery had the chance to take part in the Phillies Futures Series played in Reading and Philadelphia this past spring, a two-game exhibition between the big-league Phillies and the future stars of the franchise.

"Just being able to go out there and be playing defense against the big league guys, you see them on TV all the time, it was an incredible experience," Kingery says.

"Playing with all the guys in this minor league organization that you know have incredible talent and kind of are the future of the Phillies - it was good to meet all those guys and kind of hang out with them for a little bit and do all that, and it was one of the best experiences I've had."

The Future Phillies got the big league treatment, starting with their catered flight to Pennsylvania.

"We got a meal handed to us as we got on the plane, and then halfway through the flight we got another meal, and there's TVs right on the back of the seats, and we had like our own big water bottles, pillows, blankets, anything we needed,"

"It just kind of makes you want to get to the big leagues more," Kingery laughs.

Ten years ago, Kingery got his first small taste of the VIP life. That treatment as the norm gets closer every day as the once-unrecruited infielder continues to prove himself as a legitimate big league prospect.

Until then, Kingery will continue to grind it out.

No longer overlooked.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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