Kolek’s stuff impresses Padres in first spring start: ‘Loved it’
Right-hander embraces new role in rotation battle; Benjamin inks Minor League deal
PEORIA, Ariz. — Stephen Kolek, a right-hander with a five-pitch mix, is making the transition from the bullpen to the rotation this spring.
Sure helps that there’s another righty — with precisely the same five-pitch mix — who made precisely the same transition last spring.
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So, yes, as Kolek embarks on his quest for a rotation spot in Padres camp, he’s been watching Michael King closely.
“Being a starter, how you go about it is a little bit different,” Kolek said earlier this spring. “You’re going through an outing, thinking a little bit more about how you get through a whole lineup. You’re not necessarily going here’s two pitches to get a guy out.
“Getting to use the whole arsenal and learning to sequence a little bit, it’s a lot of fun. I would say my arsenal is fairly similar to King’s, so getting to talk with King after some of my outings or bullpens, seeing how he goes about things, [I’m] kind of learning from him.”
Kolek made his first Cactus League start in the Padres’ 2-1 loss to the Angels on Tuesday afternoon, working two scoreless innings while allowing two hits with a pair of strikeouts. He intentionally used a fastball-heavy mix, but worked in all five of his offerings — four-seamer, two-seamer, changeup, cutter and sweeper.
There’s clearly a lot to like regarding Kolek’s stuff. That arsenal was a major part of the team’s decision to move him to the rotation. The 27-year-old right-hander also has the mindset of a starter.
“Getting to game plan and find more ways to get guys out — that’s a lot of fun,” Kolek said.
