Thu Sep 02 2010
By LYNN GROLL
Although the 2007 baseball season wasn't the greatest statistically for Ayersville graduate Chad Reineke in the Houston Astros' minor league system, it was a year where the 6-6 righty learned plenty. Now, Reineke hopes someday the experience will help him achieve his dream of pitching on baseball's grandest stage.
"The learning process was the most important thing for me this year," remarked Reineke, who was selected by the Astros in the 13th round of the 2004 draft. "Sometimes the numbers tell the story and sometimes they don't. This year was my worst statistical year but I learned the most about myself than any other year."
Reineke pitched for the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League, the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, during the spring and summer season after working his way up through the Astros' minor league system since 2004.
He went 5-5 with Round Rock and posted a 4.68 ERA, striking out 95 in 100 innings pitched and held the opposition to a .261 batting average.
Reineke recently completed his 2007 baseball season by pitching in the Arizona Fall League where he went 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA and held batters to a .149 average.
"Overall I was happy," admitted Reineke of the Fall League. "It's a tough league for pitchers with the layoff from the season until the Fall League begins. You have to kind of shake off the rust and it was good to be out there against the talent that is there."
The most important aspect for Reineke was staying healthy this fall after tendenitis forced him to be placed on the DL this summer when with the Express.
"Going out there I just wanted to stay healthy with the year I had being on the DL," said Reineke. "I didn't want to jeopardize anything and the main thing I wanted to do was throw strikes and get people out and limit my amount of throwing on the side."
Reineke also received a major lift from the big-league club.
The Astros' recently purchased Reineke's contract from Round Rock and on Nov. 14 and placed Reineke on the team's 40-man roster.
"It's exciting and something I wanted," said Reineke. "A lot of guys at this level don't really care what club they're with, but I really like the Astros. Hopefully someday I'll make it (to the big leagues) with them. It's an honor, but by no means is the end. I know I have a long ways to go.
"Honestly it was about 50/50 if they would," added Reineke about the Astros purchasing his contract. "I understand the business side of baseball and I'm 25 and getting to the age where it's time to do something. I really didn't know for sure and was prepared either way and I know it's not in my control."
Currently, the Pilot product is resting from a long season and getting prepared for next year.
"Right now I'm just working out and resting my arm and getting the tendenitis out and the rest has helped," said Reineke. "I'm trying to get my legs in shape and building up my endurance."
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