The Royals continue to select high upside high school pitchers as they selected RHP Shane Panzini from Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey. He is a Virginia commit.

Panzini has a strong lower half and can bring his fastball in up to 97 mph. In the state tournament, he was 91 to 94 consistently. He throws a slider that earns average to above average grades. Panzini has a smooth delivery but does need work with his other secondaries. He throws a curve that will probably end up being scraped for the slider and a change up that needs work. Like most high school guys, it sounds like he rarely threw the change and never really developed it.

Panzini is an older kid for his high school class, and that may have pushed him down the boards a little to the 108th selection. That’s not something we need to worry about though as he is more phsyically developed than many guys. Panzini is 6’3″ and 200 pounds and closer to a finished product even though there is still some projection left.

Panzini has short arm action and throws with little effort. He has good command and the ball is explosive out of his hand.

Photo courtesy of Red Bank Catholic High School.