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Scouting Blog: Royals Elite Scout Team - Pitchers

September 28, 2013

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

We had a chance to attend last Wednesday's Kansas City Royals Elite Scout Team's game versus Kansas City Kansas Community College on the KCK campus. Four top prospects from Kansas high schools took the mound for the Royals Elite:

Zach Engelken, RHP, Blue Valley West HS, Class of 2014
Engelken (#20 in the PBR Class of 2014 Overall Rankings) started the game and pitched 2 innings.  The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Engelken was off his game at the outset command-wise but showed maturity by righting the ship in the second inning, striking out 2 KCK batters along the way to throwing up a zero. The Nebraska commit worked 86-89 mph with his FB with a 74-76 CB.  In addition to his obvious physical tools, Engelken's ability to stay focused on the task at hand and make adjustments continues to stand out. For video footage from Engelken’s 2012 Midwest Futures Games performance in addition to last week’s Royals Elite game click here.

Casey Kelley, RHP, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Class of 2015
Kelley was the next Kansas high school RHP to take the mound for Royals Elite throwing 1 inning.  KCK hit the 6-foot, 170-pound Kelley around a bit, but his overall athleticism, mid-80’s fastball and, at times, plus breaker make him one of the better class of 2015 RHP prospects in the KC area. Kelley is also regarded by many as a candidate to be 2-way player at the next level. Click here for Kelley’s video from earlier this fall and last Wednesday’s outing.

Isaiah Campbell, RHP, Olathe South HS, Class of 2015
Campbell (#13 in the PBR Class of 2015 Overall Rankings) continues to make a name for himself as the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder was in total control during his inning of work.  He impressed us the first time we had a chance to see him pitch last month at Iowa Western CC but showed improved stuff and command Wednesday.  Campbell’s FB was 87-89 mph and flashed a 75 CH in his brief outing.  Campbell is already getting a lot of attention from a number of major college baseball programs, but as one MLB scout wishfully quipped to me after the game: “one more jump and he ain’t going to college.” For video clips from Campbell’s pre-game bullpen and game performance last week click here.

Brendan Stanek, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest, Class of 2015
The Royals Elite squad closed out the game with Stanek who impressed all in attendance as he attacked the strike zone with an 84-85mph FB and needed just 5 pitches to collect 3 outs (including a strikeout!). The 6-foot-2, 170-pound RHP’s rhythmic, athletic delivery and quick arm closely resemble his brother Ryne's (2013 Tampa Bay Rays 1st Round Pick out of the University of Arkansas).  Having seen Ryne throw in the low’s 80’s during the summer prior to his junior year of high school before exploding into one of the top amateur pitching prospects in the nation the next summer, we look forward to following Brendan's progress over the next 12 months. For video from Stanek’s outing click here.

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