STL Today - Kyle McClellan in the mix for a spot in rotation

Kyle McClellan in the mix for a spot in rotation

September 18, 2009 — Cardinals relief pitcher Kyle McClellan celebrates after inducing a ground out by Chicago’s Jeff Baker to end the top of the eighth inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. (Chris Lee/P-D)

By Joe StraussST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH02/06/2010

JUPITER, FLA. — When Kyle McClellan reached Cardinals camp last February, the righthanded reliever was advertised as a potential fifth starter.

The advertisement, however, came with fine print — the kind that microscopically informs a borrower about the future balloon payment or that discloses only one car is offered at the ridiculously discounted price.

McClellan would start only if Chris Carpenter could not. No one, McClellan especially, wanted that deal.

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“I didn’t want to start last year,” McClellan explained Friday following a morning workout at Roger Dean S
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tadium, where pitchers and catcher are due to report Feb. 17. “Well, I did and I didn’t, because that would have meant something had happened. Last year I was kind of in-between. I didn’t want anything to happen to ‘Carp’ because of what he represented to our team. This year, having four legit guys in place, makes it interesting. I feel like I’ve got a legitimate chance to be in the discussion to be one of those guys.”

Coming off two seasons virtually lost to elbow and nerve problems, Carpenter used last spring training as a springboard to a dominant 2009. Carpenter finished 17-4, led the National League in ERA and barely missed capturing his second Cy Young Award. Ensconced in relief, McClellan produced a laudable season that included a 3.38 ERA and a .229 opponents’ average in 66 appearances.

McClellan, 25, long has intrigued pitching coach Dave Duncan as a potential starter. McClellan worked the role in the Cardinals’ minor-league system until sidetracked in 2005 by elbow ligament replacement surgery. He carries a four-pitch assortment, though he rarely employs his change-up out of the bullpen. He looks forward to a competition that will also feature former Chicago Cubs starter Rich Hill, top lefthanded prospect Jaime Garcia and perhaps others with less experience (Mitch Boggs, Blake Hawksworth) from last season’s bullpen.

“I think it’s different knowing there’s a position open rather than being ready in case something happens,” McClellan says. “I feel like there’s a lot more opportunity this year.”

Carpenter, third-place Cy Young finisher Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny offer the Cardinals an established core. Wainwright led the league in wins and innings last season; Lohse is two years removed from a career-most 15 wins; and Penny, 31, won 16 games in consecutive seasons (2006-07) and fits the profile of a pitcher who benefits most from exposure to Duncan and bullpen coach Marty Mason.

General manager John Mozeliak insisted after signing Hill to a minor-league contract last month that he did not envision additional moves until well into camp. That suggests an extended look for McClellan.

“I’ve been told to come in prepared to start,” McClellan said. “Of course, that depends on the moves they make going forward. As of right now there’s a fifth spot open. My whole mind-set is to come in and show I can start. Obviously, the last two years show I can pitch in the bullpen. Really it depends on where they see me and being the best fit.”

The St. Louis native made the most of his winter by working diligently with strength-and-conditioning coach Pete Prinzi and by cleaning up his eating habits. The result: McClellan dropped from 225 pounds and 18 percent body fat to 212 pounds and 13 percent.

Given his health and improved fitness, McClellan plans to focus on tweaking his approach.

“I’m going to figure that out as I go,” he said. “It’s a lot different level. I feel I have more pitches. The biggest thing is watching our starters the past few years. You see guys being aggressive and keeping pitch counts down. I realize you don’t have to establish all four pitches right away. I have to figure out how to be successful seeing guys two or three times a game rather than once.”

The Cardinals have yet to fulfill a wish to acquire a veteran reliever who could serve a set-up role and provide insurance behind closer Ryan Franklin. Since McClellan appeared in the eighth inning 31 times last season, the vacancy would be a significant one unless Jason Motte, Boggs or Hawksworth demonstrate readiness for more responsibility this spring.

Duncan transferred a career reliever, Braden Looper, from the bullpen to the rotation in 2007 with mostly positive results. McClellan, who made the opening day roster in 2008 without pitching an inning at Class AAA, is unafraid of taking big steps.

“I started in the minor leagues,” McClellan said. “I feel like I can do it. It’s not as though it’s a huge experiment. If it’s the right opportunity, I would be excited to go in that direction. I don’t see it as a promotion over the bullpen. I love my spot in the bullpen. I love the situations down there. But I feel what I’ve learned in the bullpen the last two years would only help me make a transition. I think if I’m going to do it, this would be a good time.”

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