Bernero competing for spot in bullpen
02/21/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- What team did Adam Bernero help get to the World Series?
The Yankees perhaps? No, we're talking college ball here. Hmm, Texas or Cal State Fullerton?
Nope and nope. It was little Culver-Stockton from Canton, Mo., in the NAIA World Series. His coach recruited a bunch of California kids, including Bernero, and unleashed them.
"We pretty much dominated the Midwest," Bernero said.
Bernero, a right-handed pitcher, also played at Sacramento City Junior College in California and Armstrong Athletic State in Savannah, Ga. Small colleges, but they led to a big-league career.
Now, at 29, Bernero has 146 Major League games behind him and stands at the shadowy entrance of the Royals bullpen. He's in a group of other lesser-known pitchers including Joel Peralta, Juan Cedeno, David Elder, Joe Nelson et al.
"I think we're all kind of in the same boat, so to speak," Bernero said. "We all have things to offer."
Bernero can offer an effective changeup.
"His changeup is outstanding," said pitching coach Bob McClure, "but everything comes off the location of the fastball. You stay with the changeup and eventually it's going to get hit."
Bernero also throws a slider and a forkball. Yep, he calls it a forkball, not a split-finger.
"The forkball has a wider grip and tumbles," he explained. "The split is more like a fastball and doesn't have such a big break."
Bernero has pitched for the Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies -- where he met up with McClure -- and has 34 starts among his 146 games. His career record is 10-26 with a 5.87 ERA.
He began last season with the Atlanta Braves and worked 36 times in relief, going 4-3 with a 6.51 ERA before being optioned to Triple-A Richmond.
In the Minors, Bernero was primarily a starter with a 30-30 record in seven years.
"Adam gives us some depth," manager Buddy Bell said. "Whether he breaks with the team or goes to Omaha, I don't know."
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- What team did Adam Bernero help get to the World Series?
The Yankees perhaps? No, we're talking college ball here. Hmm, Texas or Cal State Fullerton?
Nope and nope. It was little Culver-Stockton from Canton, Mo., in the NAIA World Series. His coach recruited a bunch of California kids, including Bernero, and unleashed them.
"We pretty much dominated the Midwest," Bernero said.
Bernero, a right-handed pitcher, also played at Sacramento City Junior College in California and Armstrong Athletic State in Savannah, Ga. Small colleges, but they led to a big-league career.
Now, at 29, Bernero has 146 Major League games behind him and stands at the shadowy entrance of the Royals bullpen. He's in a group of other lesser-known pitchers including Joel Peralta, Juan Cedeno, David Elder, Joe Nelson et al.
"I think we're all kind of in the same boat, so to speak," Bernero said. "We all have things to offer."
Bernero can offer an effective changeup.
"His changeup is outstanding," said pitching coach Bob McClure, "but everything comes off the location of the fastball. You stay with the changeup and eventually it's going to get hit."
Bernero also throws a slider and a forkball. Yep, he calls it a forkball, not a split-finger.
"The forkball has a wider grip and tumbles," he explained. "The split is more like a fastball and doesn't have such a big break."
Bernero has pitched for the Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies -- where he met up with McClure -- and has 34 starts among his 146 games. His career record is 10-26 with a 5.87 ERA.
He began last season with the Atlanta Braves and worked 36 times in relief, going 4-3 with a 6.51 ERA before being optioned to Triple-A Richmond.
In the Minors, Bernero was primarily a starter with a 30-30 record in seven years.
"Adam gives us some depth," manager Buddy Bell said. "Whether he breaks with the team or goes to Omaha, I don't know."
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home