Kernels look to Reed, bullpen mates for success

CEDAR RAPIDS – Starting pitcher is the more glamorous position, but sometimes a move to the bullpen works out best for a guy.

You'll get no complaints from Jake Reed about turning into a reliever. The Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher was a starter his first two years at the University of Oregon but volunteered to close games there this past season.

His velocity rocketed, as did his prospects for a professional career.

'It's nice to go one or two innings instead of sitting in the dugout for five or six in between innings,” said Reed, whose club hosts Burlington in the opening game of a best-of-three Midwest League playoff series Wednesday night at 6:35. 'Psychologically, I think it has helped me a lot to just be able to go in there and blow it out for a couple of innings. I don't have to conserve and worry about my stamina.”

Reed signed with the parent Minnesota Twins as a sixth-round draft pick in June and dominated Rookie ball before getting the promotion here July 7. He finished the regular season with a 0.36 earned run average and 22 2/3-inning scoreless streak.

Last week, he was selected to represent the Twins in the Arizona Fall League, an offseason league featuring many of the top prospects in the game. It's highly uncommon for a kid out of low-A ball to be picked.

'I think I learned pretty quickly how to get hitters out in the league,” Reed said. 'My command has been a lot better, and that definitely helps. My walks have been way down. I've just been throwing the ball over the plate and getting guys out, I guess.”

His mates have been doing the exact same thing. The biggest reason the Kernels surged to a 42-28 second-half record was improved pitching, especially from what has become a lockdown bullpen.

Anywhere Manager Jake Mauer turns, it seems he's got a power arm available. There's Reed, Dallas Gallant (0.64 ERA), Brian Gilbert (0.80), Chris Mazza (2.79), Jared Wilson (2.95) and Hudson Boyd from the right side, and the ever consistent Brandon Bixler (2.68) from the left side.

If the Kernels have a lead after five or six innings, you love their chances for a win.

'I think we have guys who are starting to connect with the catchers a little bit,” catcher Mitch Garver said. 'I've talked with (teammate Michael Quesada) about this. I think our bullpen is stronger than ever because they trust us. They know what we're trying to accomplish with each batter. It's like I went out to the mound (the other night) and asked Reed what he wanted to throw. He just said ‘Whatever you want. I trust you.' That's a good sign. I think we're all on the same page, plus we have some tremendous arms. Almost all of them are sitting mid to upper-90s. We have a good staff.”

'I notice it playing other teams,” Reed said. 'Every single guy we run out there has done a tremendous job. We've played teams where we've just crushed relievers. That just really doesn't happen here, knock on wood. I think we put pressure on each other, challenge each other to be as good as the guy that went before you.”

Another plus is that every single one of the guys mentioned can throw multiple innings. They are not just one off.

'It's one after another,” Mauer said. 'They've been outstanding, keep putting up zero after zero. Sometimes when the game is in the balance, they buy us time to figure out a way to scratch out a run or two. Then when we have a lead late in the game and they've got a little rest, they're about as good as it gets. It gives you a lot of confidence because you've got several guys out there who can do the job, not just one or two.”

Cedar Rapids will hand to ball to Taiwanese right-hander Chih-Wei Hu (7-2, 2.29) to start Game 1. He also has been a revelation since being promoted from Rookie-level Elizabethton.

It hasn't been announced, yet, who will start Game 2 Thursday night at Burlington, with the Kernels running into season innings limitations for multiple guys, which literally throws a kink into things. It'll be a left-hander for sure: Mat Batts, Lewis Thorpe or Stephen Gonsalves.

A deciding Game 3 is Friday night at Burlington. The Kernels went 3-7 against the Bees in the first half but 6-0 in the second.

Righty Victor Alcantara (7-6, 3.81) is the starting pitcher Wednesday for Burlington. The other Western Division playoff series is Kane County against Wisconsin.

In the Eastern Division, it's West Michigan against Fort Wayne and South Bend versus Lake County. The series for the division finals also is best of three and begins Saturday.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com