LJ baseball: Koa Scott's potential to pitch at the next level

Koa Scott (right) whoops it up with his
Viking teammates following his RBI hit
in the fourth inning against Patrick Henry
at Petco Park April 12.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

After jumping out to a 5-1 record to start the season, with four complete games, La Jolla right-hander Koa Scott has come down to earth a little statistically. But he has still maintained a sparkling 1.48 ERA, holding opposing batters to a weak .196 batting average.

"Koa isn't overpowering, but he hides the ball well and his delivery is deceptive," says his coach, Gary Frank. The junior's delivery reminds one somewhat across sports of Philip Rivers' throwing motion as the Chargers' quarterback, a three-quarter push or sling.

Scott showed good velocity and a very effective approach in the first four innings in the Vikings' game at Petco Park against City League opponent Patrick Henry Fri., April 12. His pitch count was economical, as he dominated Patriot batters, allowing no runs.

But then in the fifth, Henry first baseman Ryan Preciado broke through with a two-run blow, putting the green and yellow into a 3-2 lead. The three-run inning wasn't enough for Frank to pull Scott, as the right-hander went on to complete the six times at bat the Pats had as home team leading in the seventh.

"Koa throws a two-seam fastball, which has a lot of run--in to a right-hander, away from a left-hander," observes Frank. "His curveball and change-up both come out of the identical arm slot as the fastball, which makes it tough for the batter to pick up the change of speeds."

Scott, on the Petco mound, checks
a runner at first in the loss to the Patriots.
He pitched four shutout innings
to start the contest and
showed poise throughout.

A real strength is Scott's obvious calm in the heat of battle. On the Petco mound, under the bright lights at the Padres' ballpark, Koa was poised from the beginning. Before the game, he appeared relaxed, unaffected by the major league surroundings.

Tied to this, "He has the confidence to throw any pitch at any time," says his coach.

He did, however, show obvious energy and motivation, returning to the visitors' dugout during the game more than once--including after clubbing an RBI hit in the fourth--yelling to his teammates, "Let's go!" He was vigorously clapping teammates on the back as he did so. Obviously, he's no stick- figure mannequin in the game.

Asked if Scott has the goods to go on in baseball after high school, Frank asserts, "Absolutely. That is his goal. He has exceptional grades, and a big competitive drive.

"He will need to add some velocity to his fastball to be able to pitch at a higher Division 1 school, but he definitely has the make-up to pitch at the next level.

"With his GPA and test scores, he will have a lot of options to find the right fit."