Padres Minor League Spotlight: Colin Rea
The San Diego Padres farm system seems to always generate decent pitchers and the future seems to be right on par with past successes. The latest pitcher to step up is right-handed pitcher Colin Rea who is presently pitching in San Antonio for the Padres AA ball club. Rea has had past control issue but seems to have rectified those issues and the results are head turning.
Rea was drafted in the 12th round out of Indiana State University. He was considered a very raw talent with a loose arm. The 6 foot 5 inch Rea only weighed 190lbs out of college. He was very thin and was merely throwing in the upper 80’s in terms of miles per hour.
As Rea matured and grew into his body, the velocity increased and his secondary pitches developed. He has a great slider and an improving change-up. The velocity is reaching the low 90’s now, but his biggest improvement of late has been his control.
Last season in Rea’s first full season as a starter in the Minor Leagues, he went 11-9 with a 3.88 ERA in 28 starts for the Lake Elsinore Storm in high A ball. Rea threw 139 innings and struck out 118 while walking 37 resulting in a 1.353 WHIP on the season. Decent numbers for a minor league pitcher, but the WHIP needed to improve.
This season Rea has made the proper adjustments and has a 2-2 record with a 1.06 ERA and a 0.809 WHIP. He missed about four weeks earlier in the year with back spasms in his lower back, but since returning he has yet to allow a run in three starts. Totaling 16 innings and only allowing three hits while walking two. His overall numbers this year are very impressive for the 24-year old right-handed pitcher. He is currently pitching in AA for the San Antonio Missions.
Rea could be called up if the Padres need a spot starter later on down the road. His season has been very impressive and the Padres have a decision to make on whether they should promote Rea to the hitter friendly league at AAA El Paso. That league is notorious for its high batting average and has fields that are in higher elevation. Rea could struggle there, so a call straight to the big leagues could be in his future.
Rea was named to the US squad on the All-Star games Futures Game. That is a great honor and Major League baseball teams are surely taking note of his performance so far this season. Rea figures to be a #3 starter in the Major Leagues once he reaches. At least that is what scouts project him at so far. He could easily surpass those expectations if he continues to progress.
Colin Rea could easily learn from pitchers like James Shields, Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy and Tyson Ross. The valuable information that these pitchers have could take him to the next level. Rea reportedly has worked very hard to understand his abilities. He will probably not be a high strike out pitcher, but he does know how to throw the ball.
The future is bright for Colin Rea and Padres fans could be quite familiar with him in the near future. As stated, if the team needs an extra starter, he could easily be the man. The progression Rea has shown is very impressive and at his young age, the future is very bright for this young man.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.