Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Get To Know: 2017 LHP Reid VanScoter (Livonia HS)

January 14, 2017



As we continue to shape-the-state here in New York, several different unique features will be available on our website. Player Spotlights, Progress Reports, Commitment Blogs, Scouting Blogs, Rankings and Top-Performer Lists, and so much more. Without the players we have nothing, so let’s take this a bit more personal - Get To Know: Our new article feature that hones in on what our Empire State players are up to, what makes them tick, and some real-candid inside access...

Name: Reid VanScoterReid VanScoter
High School: Livonia HS
Grad Year: 2017
Position: LHP
State Rank: No. 16
Commitment: Binghamton

PBR: Let's start with your baseball commitment to Binghamton University. Tell us about the process and how you decided on the Colonials? How excited are you to play in the American East Conference?

VanScoter: It all started with Grow2Pro and traveling all throughout the Northeast playing in big tournaments.  Binghamton had started showing interest in me early on while others followed closely behind as I had to make some tough decisions to further my baseball career.  Originally, I wanted to play down south, but I soon came to realize that money and opportunity to play early on plays a bigger part than I had anticipated.  Since my ultimate goal is to get drafted and play professional ball after getting a good education, I realized I needed to be seen as soon as possible and early on in my college baseball career.  Binghamton's confidence in me and the opportunities within were too great to pass up for me and what I wanted.  Binghamton's program evolves each year and I cannot wait to see what the future has to offer there as the American East Conference is very competitive and Binghamton typically does very well.

PBR: Baseball has an unbelievable way of positively shaping young man on and off the field. Tell us one life-lesson you have picked up over the years playing the game, and how that life-lesson may impact you later in life?

VanScoter: Baseball is a game that teaches us many things about life.  It is the only game where failing 7 out of every 10 times makes you a Hall of Famer. Therefore, mental toughness is a major key for success.  Baseball taught me to be mentally tough on and off the field as that will help me with challenges I face throughout life and adapt to changes in the future.

PBR: If you were a baseball scout and just watched yourself play, what would that scouting report look like?

VanScoter: Reid VanScoter is a LHP with an athletic build with more to come.  His mechanics are smooth with a mid 3/4 arm slot and a clean delivery.  Has typically a fast windup but keeps it consistent throughout the game, delivering a fastball that sits in the upper 80's with great command.  His go-to strikeout pitch is his 11/5 sharp breaking ball and is developing a hard slider as well as a changeup.  His slider can be deadly because of his natural arm slot if he gains speed.  Having a projectable frame, there is more to come from the young southpaw.  His tenacity on the mound makes his a fierce competitor who refuses to lose.

PBR: This one is for our strictly baseball-minded readers. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses on the field.

VanScoter: My strength is strike one.  I love attacking hitters and getting ahead in the count and immediately taking control of the at-bat.  I am smart with my pitches and I have good command on my fastball, curveball, and slider.  I never let the hitter get into my head as I think I can pitch against anyone no matter who steps into the box.  My weakness is my changeup.  I need to work on the command of my changeup because I've been told it can be a very effective pitch especially if I can have 4 pitches.  There is of course room to improve in every aspect of the game as well which is why I will keep working on everything I can to be the best player I can be.

PBR: You can only pick one, but who is your biggest baseball influence and why?

VanScoter: My biggest baseball influence is my dad.  He strictly makes me believe in myself.  He tells me how anything is possible, I just have to make it happen through my "sweat equity."  He reminds me to do things but doesn't ever force me because he wants me to take responsibility for my work ethic, which has helped me tremendously throughout my baseball career as well as in life in general.  He has coached me all the way up until High School and focused not only on winning, but the fundamentals of good mechanics and how to gain arm strength which was definitely a key to my success.

PBR: We are knee-deep into the off-season schedule. Tell us about your training, and spring preparation.

VanScoter: As soon as summer baseball ends, I play football.  During football season I workout and mostly work on my legs because it's my rest period for my arm and I work on my explosiveness.  After football comes basketball season, and that works my legs in another way which makes me more athletic.  I continue throughout both sports to workout on my own either after school or on weekends.  After the holidays I do my arm care workouts which include Crossover Symmetry.  My goal is to gain more muscle so I can have more velocity and command and be an overall better athlete.

PBR: Anyone that plays the game with true passion hopes to leave their own legacy. Tell us how you want to be remembered for playing the game?

VanScoter: I want to be remembered as one of the greatest pitcher's to come out of New York State.  I want to be remembered as the guy that coaches warned their players about and that nobody wanted to hit against.


Recent News