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Q&A with Kansas State commit RHP/3B Luke Scheele (St. James Academy, 2017)

August 10, 2016

Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director

Luke Scheele (St. James Academy, 2017) announced his commitment to Kansas State earlier this summer. 

The 6-foot-5 205-pound right-handed pitcher has a fastball that ranged from 81-85 mph, and has been in the upper 80's this spring.  His curveball has the potential to be a plus-pitch between 68-71 mph with 12-to-6 shape. 

Scheele also commanded a split finger fastball that was clocked at 78-79 mph. Scheele showed lightning quick arm speed, accelerated down the mound, consistently threw downhill with loose arm action and utilizes his glove side for added deception.

This summer he plays for Between the Lines and is preparing for his senior season at St. James Academy.  Here is a look inside the recruiting process for Luke Scheele. 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Scheele: My expectations of the recruiting process were that it was going to be difficult to to find a college that met all of my expectations where I wanted to play baseball  but I found it easy to interact with college coaches overall and found my right place at K-State.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Scheele: Location was important but did not play a factor.

PBR: Where did Kansas State first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Scheele: K-State first saw me at the White Sox area code try out in Oklahoma. Coach TK from K-State had given me a phone call and wanted to arrange a place for him to watch me and it went on from there.  He saw me play locally at a few events and we arranged a campus visit to see the school, baseball facilities and meet the staff.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Scheele: In my opinion I think that the most difficult player to play against was Riley Pint. The kid threw gas.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Scheele: To the younger players striving to achieve where I am I would suggest that they practice very often. Focus on the fundamentals that go into the game and repeat them often.  Hard work and coach-ability are key.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Scheele: During off season I stay in shape by working out and doing pitching fundamental work. Having a band program is important. Over the winter and coming into the baseball season, I'll be doing an off season pitching work out program after shutting down and resting my arm for a few weeks.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Scheele: I had a 71 pitch complete game at Wichita State this past summer against Rawlings Prospects from Arkansas where everything was clicking.  It was a lot of fun.

PBR: What do you like most about Kansas State and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Scheele: The key factors in making my decision on going to K-State was all of the attention to detail, individual notes and overall pitching related work presented by Pitching Coach Tyler Kincaid (TK). He a very detailed program to develop pitchers and has a strong drive in furthering my career and bettering me as a next level pitcher.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Scheele: Schools previously on my list for possible schools were Iowa Western CC, Washburn University, Central Missouri, and Wichita State.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Scheele: The event that kicked off the recruiting process was after I was invited to the final cut of the Chicago White Sox Area code try out in Oklahoma. It had the most exposure by far at which I received a lot of attention from schools.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Scheele: I believe in the upcoming high school season at St. James we will have a good run at state and we have many returning talented varsity players ready to go out and give it all.   It should be a fun run.

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