When 18-year-old Trevor Reckling took the hill and fanned the first two batters he faced in his '07 pro debut with the Rookie League Arizona Angels, heads probably turned. And they have been turning ever since.
Reckling (3-1), who just turned twenty, is currently leading the Texas League with a 2.12 ERA and has 26 strikeouts. The Angels #4 prospect was called-up to the Travelers on April 23 from High-A Rancho Cucamonga after dominating the California League in three starts. In 19 innings for the Quakes the opposition was just hitting .138 against him and he had only given up three walks, with a 0.90 ERA. The Newark, New Jersey native was the youngest player in the Texas League went he was sent-up and sparkled in his debut win for the Travs a few days later.
Trevor was taken in the eighth round of the '07 draft by the Angels out of St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark and was the second New Jersey high schooler taken. After his rookie campaign he spent '08 at Low-A Cedar Rapids and was the Midwest League's youngest starting pitcher.
Reckling led the Kernels with 10 wins and during one stretch had a 29-inning scoreless streak using his smooth delivery and three-plus pitches. The 6' 2" 205 pound left-hander didn't turn twenty until May 22 and possesses possibly the best changeup in the Angels' system along with a low 90's fastball that he keeps down and locates beautifully. If that wasn't enough, he has a fall-off-the-table curveball. So when I recently met with him before the club left on the current road trip I asked the obvious question first.
Q: How did you learn to pitch so well, so young?
A: It's the work I've been doing in the off-season. It's paying-off.
Q: You were the Angels' "Minor League Pitcher of the Month" for April and now you have the lowest ERA in the Texas League with a 3-1 record. Are you surprised at your success so soon?
A: You know it was just both teams I've been playing with. Good chemistry on both teams and good defense behind me and again, hard work that's been paying-off in the off-season.
Q: You have three legitimate pitches. Is your changeup your best?
A: First would have to be my fastball. After that it would have to be my changeup.
Q: You probably had never been to Little Rock or Arkansas before you got here. What's the best thing you've seen about Little Rock so far?
A: Well actually I have. I was in Fayetteville. I tried out for a Perfect Game Showcase for high school kids coming up, and college, and draft status. Around here I like the scenery with the games being downtown. I really like the scenery.
Q: What's your latest status update on Facebook?
A: Well, I just put put one in. It said, "We just got a win! First one in awhile." (Note: The Travelers had just broken an eight game losing streak with a win in the second game of a doubleheader on Memorial Day .)
Reckling is scheduled to take the mound tonight (Sat.) for his seventh Arkansas start against the Missions at San Antonio.
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Just when you think you've seen it all, then this.
Long time Traveler fan Tommy Green facing-up former Trav big Corey Smith for a foul ball whack he took off Smith's bat during the final home stand game between the Travelers and the Naturals.
I held my breath as Green tossed his bloody towel aside and showed the burly Northwest Arkansas infielder the dirty-deed that had required medical attention.
But it was all in jest, as Green was yanking the chain of the former Traveler fan-favorite, who had responded with genuine concern. Green said he was yakking instead of paying attention when he got whacked, and being as nimble as he is, normally would have darted out of the way.
-- Lonesome Traveler
Damn Bobby...we're losing 2-1 tonight, and we get the leadoff batter on base four consecutive innings (5-8) and all we can muster is 1 lousy run? To top it off, when we do finally tie the game at 2, you leave Diaz in long enough in the 8th to give up a double and 3 walks, the last of which brought in the go-ahead and what wound up to be the winning run? What more is it going to take for you to manage like a professional? Do you just wake up everyday and pull your gameplan out of your ass?
Posted by: Sidd Finch | June 05, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Looks like Mr. Green is also a longtime Waffle House customer. Egads.
Posted by: Be My Bill Valentine | June 06, 2009 at 02:18 AM
New post please! I'm tired of looking at Tubby & Smith.
Posted by: Be My Bill Valentine | June 12, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Damn Bobby...what kind of nudey photos do you have of Scioscia and Moreno together? That is the only explanation I think is left as to why you still have a job. You get swept by NWA and don't give a line of "back-to-back doubleheaders wear on a player" BS because it didn't seem to hurt NWA when they were lighting up the scoreboard. It's amazing how you have taken what was thought to be a decent offense going into the season with Conger, Trumbo, Johnson, and a few other decent hitters and completely neutered them. When exactly did they give up? Why do you still have a job? My dirty ass comment still holds true for how this team is playing. You haven't even won 40% of the games played this season.
Posted by: Sidd Finch | June 13, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Just want to apologize for not being around so much this year. I have had too many other places to be besides Little Rock.
Can I get a bartowel, please!
Posted by: Talent | June 14, 2009 at 03:03 AM
The problem isn't lack of talent.
Far from it.
Posted by: Stephen Colboar | June 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Yeah, but how cool am I?
Posted by: Angels salsa bowl | June 14, 2009 at 01:00 PM
I know when I am not here, Stephen. I guess when you look at yourself in the mirror you tell your reflection "It isn't you, Hotstuff. It is the stupid girls. You will get laid. You will get laid. High five!"
I am hanging out elsewhere.
Posted by: Talent | June 14, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Did someone just refer to Ben Johnson as a decent hitter?
And Trumbo struggled most of his career. What, did you expect the lightbult suddenly was going to stay on for him?
Look at the Angels farm system (below Triple A) It is filled with shat.
The Kernels have a terrific record but about three legitimate prospects.
That Quakes are awful and have a couple guys who could probably hold water at Double A.
Get used to it, folks. You'd have to be an idiot or a complete Flavor-Aid drinker like Stephen C. Smith to not understand what the future holds for the big club.
Posted by: Mr. Shucks | June 16, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Stephen C. Smith...isn't he the guy that runs a website and has his media credentials revoked by Salt Lake because he didn't meet the definition of legitimate press? I agree with you completely Mr. Shucks. As I told a friend, and might have said on here before the season started, we are now starting to see the full effects of Reagins management style. Granted, as player development director and now GM, he relied on the advice of scouts to make decisions, but the buck stopped with him. I'm afraid the Angels' great run from 2001-2008 is quickly fading.
I would also like to take yet another opportunity to blast Mags' ignorance. He stated in today's Dem-Gaz story on last night's game that the score doesn't matter as much as improvement. We still lost, we're still last in the Texas League, and still 27th out of 30 AA teams. He was named the North Division manager for the TL All-Star game based on the 6 game win stretch of last year's playoffs, nothing more.
Posted by: Sidd Finch | June 17, 2009 at 09:40 AM
why you are so cool....
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Britney
The best place for the best ENTERTAINMENT
Posted by: Britney | July 14, 2009 at 05:37 AM