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Player Spotlight: RHP Kyle Heckenbach (Smithville, 2017)

September 12, 2016

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director


Kyle Heckenbach (Smithville, 2017) is a 6-foot-1 183-pound right-handed pitcher with a simple and repeatable delivery with an explosive lower half.

Heckenbach threw pitches for strikes in game action at the Kansas Class of 2017 Games in June.  His fastball was between 81 and 85 mph, with occasional.  His chang-up, 77 mph, showed occasional sink.  He has 11-to-5 shape in his breaking ball at 67-70 mph, occasionally dropping to a lower arm slot.

Heckenbach has a high three quarter arm slot, strides slightly across his body and recorded three strikeouts in game action - two coming on his change-up while the other was the result of his fastball at the Class of 2017 Games in June.

This fall, Heckenbach is playing fall baseball for Prodigy Baseball Academy and preparing to make a run at the Missouri Class 4 Final Four with Smithville. 

Here is a look inside the recruitment of Kyle Heckenbach.

PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)

Heckenbach: I'm looking to stay fairly close to home. I'm interested in schools with good Wildlife Biology or Secondary Education programs.

PBR: How did you do your junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do?

Heckenbach: My junior year went well.  I pitched 51 innings with a 5-2 record. I had 59 strikeouts, 18 walks, with an ERA of 1.77. I received second team all conference honors as a pitcher. We had a pretty good year with a record of 17-10, but we lost in the district championship game.

PBR: What are you goals for your senior season?

Heckenbach: I want to improve my off speed and velocity.  I also really want to make a run at state like we did during my sophomore year when earned a third place finish.

PBR: What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?

Heckenbach: I'm playing for Prodigy. Yes, I'm currently playing fall ball.

PBR: Do you play any other sports?

Heckenbach: Not anymore. I used to play football and basketball during my Freshman and Sophomore years.

PBR: What are your ACT and GPA?

Heckenbach: My ACT is a 24, and I'm planning on taking it again this October. My GPA is a 2.74.

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