Royals Scout Team 17U OF Jordan Austin shines in DFW Regional Day 1

By: Brenna Barkley

For Royals Scout Team 17U right fielder Jordan Austin, traveling outside of Kansas City to play in tournaments, such as the Five Tool Texas DFW Regional, is an experience that he is grateful for. 

“I love that we can come down to tournaments like this one in Texas and play very good competition,” Austin told Five Tool after his game. “It also helps me out a lot because I get to go out and play the game I love against new arms and new faces everyday.” 

Traveling out of state has helped the University of Missouri commit by having to play and adapt to different weather conditions no matter where he is. 

“I’m always thinking about how I can improve my game and make changes throughout the game,” Austin said. “Today it was a little bit more humid and hot than it is in Kansas City and it seemed like the balls were kind of jumping out of the pitchers arms a little bit faster.

“So I just made sure that I loaded earlier and was ready for the fastball.” 

The adjustment worked as Austin was able to sit back and drive the ball for a double off the Melissa Sports Red Monster to start off his day at the plate. Later in the game, he was able to show off his speed as well as he beat out an infield single to get on base. 

The Kansas City, Mo native was hunting the first pitch fastball when he walked in the box, and he made sure that he did not miss it. 

“I stepped up to the plate today and all  I was really thinking about was to hit the ball hard. If you hit it hard good things will happen,” Austin said. “I was also sitting first pitch fastball so when I got that pitch I made sure I didn’t miss it.”

.@RoyalsScoutTeam 17U’s Jordan Austin (@jordan_austin26) makes the incredible leaping catch up against the monster in right! #FiveToolDefense

Lee's Summit (MO) 2022 @MizzouBaseball commit pic.twitter.com/zATaatjkKv

— ?Five Tool Texas? (@FiveToolTexas) June 3, 2021

Austin was able to get the job done on defense as well as he was able to run back to the wall in right field to rob a hit off of Dallas Tigers- Cienega/Beaven 17U. He talked about how he would not have been able to make the play if it was not for his center fielder Jackson Kline to talk him through the play. 

“He made sure I knew I was at the wall and I used my athleticism to do the rest,” Austin said. “I’ve always wanted to rob someone of a hit so it felt pretty good when I came down with it.”

Austin and the rest of the Royals Scout Team 17U will continue their trip in Texas with three more games in the DFW regional before bracket play begins June 6.