By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Years removed from his playing days at Elmer Kelley Stadium, former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker continues to toil as part of the Cincinnati Reds minor league organization.
Klinker played baseball for Madisonville-North Hopkins his eighth grade and freshman year before moving to West Chester, Ohio, about 15 miles north of Cincinnati. After completing high school in 2003, Klinker attended college at Furman University (S.C.) and was picked up in the 15th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by the Reds.
Two years later, Klinker, 24, has progressed to Cincinnati's Class A Advanced squad, the Sarasota Reds (Fla.). Klinker, listed at 6-5, 220 pounds, has been used as a reliever and starter in the minors, but expects to make his mark in a starting role.
"I'd say just a smart pitcher that knows how to change speeds and locate his fastball," he said of his approach. "I can run it up there to 94, but I'm on my best when I pitch about 89-92 and just change speeds with my change-up and curveball."
Klinker, a right-handed pitcher, said he likes to emulate power righties like Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens or Kevin Brown, but also admires the craftiness of Greg Maddux.
Last season, Klinker got a chance to prove his stuff against two-time All Star Dontrelle Willis, who was making a rehab start for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. For Klinker, it was his first start after being promoted from the Dayton Dragons (Ohio).
"I was like 'Wow, this guy has won a World Series and has been up in the bigs, has a multi-million dollar contract,'" Klinker said.
Klinker played baseball for Madisonville-North Hopkins his eighth grade and freshman year before moving to West Chester, Ohio, about 15 miles north of Cincinnati. After completing high school in 2003, Klinker attended college at Furman University (S.C.) and was picked up in the 15th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by the Reds.
Two years later, Klinker, 24, has progressed to Cincinnati's Class A Advanced squad, the Sarasota Reds (Fla.). Klinker, listed at 6-5, 220 pounds, has been used as a reliever and starter in the minors, but expects to make his mark in a starting role.
"I'd say just a smart pitcher that knows how to change speeds and locate his fastball," he said of his approach. "I can run it up there to 94, but I'm on my best when I pitch about 89-92 and just change speeds with my change-up and curveball."
Klinker, a right-handed pitcher, said he likes to emulate power righties like Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens or Kevin Brown, but also admires the craftiness of Greg Maddux.
Last season, Klinker got a chance to prove his stuff against two-time All Star Dontrelle Willis, who was making a rehab start for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. For Klinker, it was his first start after being promoted from the Dayton Dragons (Ohio).
"I was like 'Wow, this guy has won a World Series and has been up in the bigs, has a multi-million dollar contract,'" Klinker said.
Although Klinker undoubtedly welcomed the promotion, leaving Dayton meant moving away from family and one of the best minor league atmospheres in the country. Dayton's Fifth Third Field averages nearly 8,500 fans per game.
"That was an awesome experience being so close to home," Klinker said. "I would have 20-25 family members and friends to every one of my starts. They just pack it out. It's one of the top 10 attendance for all Minor League Baseball."
After making six starts for Sarasota this season, Klinker strained his super splenius in his shoulder and underwent a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation.
On Sunday, Klinker threw two innings in an extended spring training game to catcher and fellow Cincinnatian Tyler Stovall.
"It's good to have local guys and we talk about the area of Cincinnati," Klinker said.
Klinker called himself a "pseudo hometown kid" and has used his connection for various opportunities like blogging for the Web site redlegnation.com about the lifestyle of a minor league ballplayer.
Still, Klinker thinks about his adjustment to a busier life and what he left behind in Hopkins County.
"It was definitely a little bit of culture shock when I went (to Cincinnati) for the first time, but I got used to it quick," he said. "I definitely miss the small-town feel of Madisonville when I moved."
Klinker said he hopes to return to Sarasota's lineup in the next week or two.
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