I have a great story for you guys today. We’ll get to today’s big league pitching advice video on what to do after giving up a big hit, importance of staying positive on the mound, the best pitching advice Chad’s ever heard, and more…
But first a quick behind the scenes look at our interview guest of the day, Chad Reineke.
Chad wasn’t recruited out of high school and ended up walking on at Miami University (Ohio) where he struggled his freshman year and almost got cut his sophomore year.
Going into his Junior season, there was no guarantee he would make the team, let alone get legitimate playing time. That year Chad established himself as a solid middle reliever on a Redhawks team that came one out away from winning the MAC Tournament Championship.
When Chad’s senior year can around, getting drafted was the furthest thing on his mind. He was more concerned with stepping up in a bullpen that had lost some key components, including the closer who was drafted by the Yankees.
Throughout Chad’s college career he continued to work hard and develop. By the time senior year came around, he was regularly hitting low 90’s on the radar gun and successfully stepped into the closer’s role.
One night the Redhawks were playing down south on a warm Spring night and there happened to be two Astros scouts in the stands looking at Miami’s first baseman Mike Ferris (eventually a 2nd round draft pick that year).
In the 8th inning, one of them wanted to leave. The other one talked him into staying one more inning in case Ferris got one more at bat. Before they knew it, there was a pitcher on the mound throwing mid 90’s.
Of course that pitcher was Chad Reineke, who had no idea there were scouts in the stands. That night Chad topped out at 97mph.
I saw a lot of incredible pitching performances in my four years of playing at Miami University (Ohio), but that night was something special. Dominate doesn’t begin to explain it.
The funny thing is that those Astros scouts never came back to see him pitch.
Then sure enough when draft day came around that June, the Astros selected Chad Reineke in the 13th round based on that one warm Spring night. You just NEVER know who’s watching and what might happen!
Fast forward to today and Chad is in his 10th season of professional baseball and has pitched in the big leagues for the Padres, A’s, and Reds.
He was a free agent this past off season when he decided to play in the Dominican Winter League where today’s interview was filmed. No team had signed him at that time and there was a decent chance that his career might be over.
I was amazed at how at peace Chad was at the time, “I would love to keep playing baseball, but if nobody signs me then I’m ready for the next step in life, whatever that may be.”
The Red’s ended up inviting him to Spring Training with NO GUARANTEES, and he ended up earning a spot on their AAA team , the Louisville Bats. So far Chad is leading the team in wins and is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA…
A great story that keeps getting better
Chad has been a good friend of mine since my freshman year at Miami University, and I appreciate him spending some time on camera sharing his best pitching advice he’s heard over the years.
