At Oregon State, Kunz helped lead his team to two consecutive College World Series championships. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder went 3-1 with 12 saves this season as a closer for the Beavers. Last year, he held his spot as a setup man, and his freshman year he was a middle-man for the team.
For the Mets, Kunz will likely begin his career as a relief pitcher, general manager Omar Minaya said.
"We see him as definitely some type of relief pitcher," Minaya said. "We're not sure of what type that will be, but he'll find his place. That will take care of itself."
Kunz holds a fastball hovering around 95 mph, a changeup and a slider in his repertoire, and batters hit just .194 against him this season. He's had an outstanding college career, going 10-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 73 games, but knows that what lies ahead will be different, a challenge as he strives to earn his spot on a big-league roster.
"It's going to be a huge change for me, but I think I'll feel pretty comfortable and go out and settle in," Kunz said. "And hopefully, when I do get up here, it'll be a smooth transition for me."
It could take one year or it could take several. It's too early to tell, Minaya said, but Kunz will have his fair share of opportunities to show the club what he's got during his time in the Minors.
"Joe Smith did it in one year after he signed," Minaya said. "If you're a college player, it usually takes about four or five years, but he could be up here as early as September or August next year."
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Kunz signed
Our first round pick was signed 6 weeks after the CWS ended. He's big kid who throws hard and spent this past year closing for the team that ultimately won its second championship in a row. Apparently Omar is hoping he can be on the Joe-Smith-like fast track to the bigs. From Mets.com:
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3 comments:
That sounds very promising.. If one of Humber or Pelfrey is for real, we could have a reasonable rotation w/Pedro, Perez, Maine, and Humber or Pelfrey.
How about Milledge? That kid is on fire, just like in AAA in 1st half of season..
He's swinging the bat well. Plus hustling his rear off in the field.
He's still such a d-bag though. They interviewed him on SNY post-game last night, and he goes "I was telling Maine last year that he needed to get his game on [as a hitter], and he's starting to improve a little bit now."
Who the hell is Milledge to be telling anyone to "get their game on?"
alls i know is, you better get your game on son.
i did appreciate that after rounding home milledge waited at the plate for maine and gave him a congratulatory hug..
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