HS BASE: Royal ready to Buckel down with top pitcher

SIMI VALLEY -- It's about 45 minutes before game time, and as Cody Buckel trots to the bullpen to begin warming up, a swarm of about a dozen professional scouts follow along, charting his every move.

That's life for the prized pitcher from Royal High, something that happens when you can throw a baseball 95 mph with pin point accuracy, complimented with a variety of breaking pitches that zoom in at various unhittable angles.

Buckel is among the top prospects in the nation, but he is just warming up. Each pitch gets a little faster, each pop of the catcher's mitt a little louder, each scout leans a little closer.

And with each spellbinding performance - he is 10-1 with an 0.54 ERA, four shutouts and 104 strikeouts with just 14 walks - the legend of Cody Buckel grows.

The scouts who lined up last game saw what they wanted to see, as Buckel pitched a three-hitter to defeat Thousand Oaks 8-1 on the last day of the regular season to wrap up a Marmonte League championship.

Buckel has signed with Pepperdine but the right-hander is expected to be drafted within the first few of the Major League draft, and depending upon when Buckel is selected (some have said it could be the first round), he could forego college and sign for more money than he ever dreamed of.

For now, Buckel is taking it all in. The Southern Section Div. I playoffs begin at 3:15 p.m. today - some divisions begin Friday - and Royal, seeded No. 2, is hoping to win a section championship for the first time.

"I'm going to miss it. There is something special about high school baseball," Buckel said. "Playing for Royal High School, it's something I take to heart."

Royal coach Dan Maye calls Buckel a coach's dream.

"Sometimes, after a game, you'll be talking to the kids in the dugout, and some of them kind of tune out - but never Cody," Maye said. "He really listens every time. You can see it in his eyes. He has tried to learn something from every coach he has ever met. He's just a student of the game."

Buckel has worked his butt off, too. When most of teammates are leaving practice, he's been there working. In the summer, when they're at the beach or hanging out the mall, he's been playing for the U.S. National Team.

"Cody works hard and puts in the extra time, and not just pitching but every aspect of the game," Maye said.

In three seasons, Buckel is 21-4 with four saves, and every year he has posted a sub-2.00 ERA.

His goal was to be perfect this season, and the only loss was a 2-1 defeat to Moorpark that saw Buckel pitch a two-hitter and not give up an earned run.

"Cody's worst outing is better than most pitchers' best outing," Maye said.

Buckel took the Moorpark loss hard. It was fellow ace Tyler Abbott's turn to pitch the following game against Thousand Oaks in the finale, but Buckel implored Maye to give him the baseball again, convinced he could come back strong and pitch Royal to victory with the league championship on the line. And he did.

"I did set a goal to be perfect, and I didn't get that, but I'm really proud of myself. It's one of my better years," Buckel said.

Buckel is also a top shortstop and a hitter who is batting .404 with five home runs and 23 RBIs. He's 2 for 13 over the past four games, so Buckel figures he is due.

"I'm kind of in a little hitting slump. Everything that I hit hard is getting caught," Buckel said. "I'll just keep swinging the bat, and the ball will take care of itself."

One of things that gives Royal an advantage is the presence of two top pitchers including Abbott (7-2, 1.08). But the Highlanders are counting on Buckel so heavily that not only has he pitched the last two games, but he could pitch today and Tuesday in the second round if Royal advances.

"Cody is going to carry most of the weight," Abbott said. "I'll be there just to keep a solid arm whenever we need it."

Having Buckel as a teammate has made Abbott that much better.

"When you know there is a guy who is obviously better than you are, you have to work extra hard to keep up," Abbott said.

Among Royal's other top players are Ryan Cerda (.377, six home runs), Justin Greco (.386, five home runs, 29 RBIs) and Nick Kinsman (.325, 26 runs).

"We're solid from top to bottom," Abbott said. "There are guys who can play defense and hit."

With Buckel on the mound, Royal feels unbeatable.

"Pitching is fun. It's the most fun I've ever had," Buckel said. "On the mound, I'm standing taller than anyone else and I feel really in control of the situation. I'm not going to let anything ruin that."

-- Gerry Gittelson