Moesquit pleases mom, delays pro baseball career

CEDAR RAPIDS - If Kevin Moesquit had his way, his professional baseball career would have started three or four years before it did.

A native of the Carribean island nation Curacao, the Cedar Rapids Kernels second baseman was scouted by major league teams as a young teenager. As an international player, he was eligible to sign a pro contract when he turned 16, though that never happened because his mother, Jenny, intervened.

“I was going to sign, but my mom wanted me to finish high school,” Moesquit said after the Kernels' 5-4 loss to Kane County before 2,720 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Mother knows best. Moesquit came to Florida for his junior and senior years, got his diploma from Highlands Christian High School in Pompano Beach and was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 17th round in 2010.

He signed for an above-slot $100,000 and is in his second year as a pro. Mom got her wish, and so did he.

“My mom always said education first,” said Moesquit, who fluently speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu, the official language of Curacao.

The 20-year-old has been one of the Kernels' hottest hitters the past week, going 7-for-17 in his last five games, including a 2-for-4, two-run, one-RBI effort last night. Cedar Rapids (18-23) rallied for three runs in the final two innings, with Frazier Hall flying to center with the bases loaded for the final out. Peoria comes to town for four games beginning tonight at 6:35.

“For me, it's been just more like getting ready to hit,” Moesquit said of his surge. “Hit good pitches instead of get out of the zone and chase. That's been it more than anything.”

Kernels Manager Jamie Burke said the coaching staff has been preaching patience to Moesquit. He played the role of leadoff hitter perfectly last season for the AZL Angels but wasn't taking nearly enough pitches for the Kernels.

“Just being more selective,” Burke said. “Leading off an inning and making sure you're hitting a strike ... Be a good leadoff guy because he is a good two-strike hitter. I think that's what good about him. He puts the ball in play and makes things happen.”

Angels' 2010 first-round draft pick Cam Bedrosian dropped to 0-3 after taking the pitching loss. He allowed five hits and three runs in five innings in his fourth start since undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery last year.

His earned run average rose to 4.41.

"He's still trying to find his way a little bit,"Burke said.

Edwin Carl (4-2) threw seven strong innings to get the win for Kane County (23-19). Daniel Mateo went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, finishing a home run shy of the cycle.

Here is the game boxscore:

Scoreboard _ Midwest League Scoreboard