When Mike Kennedy gets ready to pitch, it’s a lengthy process before he takes the mound, but the Troy senior knows all these little things will make a big difference.

“The arm care for me is pretty much every day, whether it’s bands or stretching or things like that,” said Kennedy, as he went through his warmup routine.

The payoff is beginning to show.

This past summer, Kennedy was selected to compete for the USA Baseball 18-U national team. And not only has the left-hander committed to pitch for Louisiana State, but Kennedy is also currently ranked the No. 80 prospect for the upcoming MLB Draft by MLB.com. He has been ranked as highly as the 60s on that list.

“Every throw I make has a purpose,” Kennedy said. “I’m trying to accomplish something.”

Due to his high ceiling, there’s quite a bit of attention when Kennedy shows up on the diamond. On days he’s scheduled to pitch, numerous baseball scouts will make an appearance with radar guns to closely watch his sinkers, sliders and change-ups.

“It’s just exciting, but I’m trying to stay in the moment and know that I’m still a senior in high school. I’m still a kid,” Kennedy said. “I’m still trying to win games with my best friends who I grew up with.”

“I think the one part that gets overlooked with Mike is he just wants to be a team player,” said head coach Chris Stack. “He doesn’t ever want to put himself above the program or any kid in the program.”

Kennedy is still working his way up to full speed after starting the season out of the line up to recover from an injury. But his return to the mound and the plate has put the Flying Horses back on track, who are defending Section 2 Class A champions.

“As each start goes, I’m trying to learn from each pitch,” he said. “Every guy who is getting a hit off of me, how can I get them out the next time? And I know I have a good defense out there behind me.”

This summer, Kennedy will either be heading off to Baton Rouge, La., or potentially, the MLB organization that drafts him. But he’s not worried about that right now. What he is focused on is keeping the winning culture he and his teammates have built here going, and finishing this season strong.

“If I can help lead my team and help bring them to a state championship, all my personal goals will be met as well,” Kennedy said.