Phillies Second-Base Prospect Scott Kingery Impressing in Spring Training
By John Town
Phillies prospect Scott Kingery has taken advantage of his invitation to spring training and has impressed the coaching staff so far.
Despite being less than two years removed from being drafted and playing just 37 games at Double-A last season, the Phillies invited second-base prospect Scott Kingery to the major-league camp this spring training. Considering his lackluster performance at the plate in Reading last season, expectations were tempered heading into camp.
So far, Kingery has gone and shattered any and all expectations placed on him. In just 12 at-bats, Kingery has six hits and three RBI. The second baseman has launched two home runs despite possessing little power.
Kingery has also flashed the leather on more than one occasion to make some nice defensive stops:
Kingery has made waves throughout the team thanks to his performance this spring.
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First baseman Tommy Joseph told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, “He’s a stud. Good kid. He’s always hustling. He’s definitely fun to play with. He’s an exciting player that showed today he can do a lot of different things on the ballfield.”
Manager Pete Mackanin is also impressed with what he has seen from Kingery: [quote via Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly]
"“I can’t say enough about Kingery,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “He’s a good-looking player, boy. And, I’ll tell you what, I really like what I see. To be as composed as he is in his first big-league camp after just getting a taste of Double A. He really has made a great impression.”"
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As with anyone who has a hot bat in the spring training, the question arises about if that player can make the major-league roster. That would be quite the leap for Kingery considering he .250/.273/.333 and walked just five times in 166 plate appearances in Reading. There isn’t much playing time for him anyway considering Cesar Hernandez is firmly implanted into the starting lineup at second base.
Even Kingery agrees that he is most likely headed back to Double-A, telling Zolecki, “I know I’m still probably going to go back to Double-A. I know the Phillies like to see you at every level.
“So I’m just trying to leave a good impression and have some fun out there.”
He also told Salisbury, “I didn’t get much time there last year. I think that’s what I’ll head back to and just try to figure out that pitching and climb up the ladder from there.”
After showing what he can do, Kingery has made a lasting impression on Philadelphia’s coaching staff.
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Mackanin told Salisbury, “He’s made a good impression on me and the coaching staff. Today was a good example of what he can do. He might be on the fast track to the big leagues.”