photo: Alex Reyes (Memphis Redbirds)
Alex Reyes put on a show on the mound in his injury rehab start for the Memphis Redbirds Thursday night at AutoZone Park, striking out 13 and giving up just one hit in seven innings in a 7-4 win over the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
The 23-year old struck out nine-straight at one point from the third-through-sixth innings, setting a new Pacific Coast League record for most consecutive strikeouts. With velocity ranging from 99 mph fastballs to 79 mph breaking pitches, Reyes demonstrated an ability to get all of his offerings across the plate. Of his 90 pitches total, all thrown to rehabbing Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly, 62 were strikes. Reyes’ performance included fanning the side in the second, fourth, and fifth innings.
“It feels good to go out there, to be able to execute pitches and just compete at a high level,” Reyes said in the clubhouse afterward.
It has been a long rehab journey for Reyes, with Thursday’s appearance being his fourth and likely final tuneup start after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the 2017 season. In his four injury rehab appearances, the right-hander struck out 44 in 23 innings and did not allow a run. Opponents batted just .048 against him.
Reyes made his major league debut in 2016, leading to 12 appearances, including five starts. Reyes was 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 46.0 innings with the Cardinals, striking out 52.
Despite his strong performance for Memphis Thursday, the young righty is still unsure when he will make his way back to the majors. He becomes eligible to be removed from the 60-day disabled list on Monday, with his next day to pitch on a five-day schedule being Tuesday. Among those in attendance Thursday evening were Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak and Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque.
“I’m hoping I will be up there pretty soon,” Reyes said. “Whenever the time is right it will happen.”
For Reyes, there were many “bumps along the road” during his rehab stints, but all in all, he is relieved with the progression he has continued to show on the mound.
“It’s fun,” he said. “It’s fun to go out there and work and be able to perform.”
Reyes was previously in Memphis before making his debut with the Cardinals in 2016. In 14 starts with the Redbirds, he was 2-3 with a 4.96 ERA in 65 1/3 innings and had 93 strikeouts. The No.1 prospect said he saw a difference in himself compared to the last time he took the mound at AutoZone Park.
“The confidence I was able to get in the big leagues in 2016 plays a huge part and being able to execute my pitches down in the zone consistently is something I’ve learned to do,” Reyes said.
Whenever Reyes does make his way back to the show, he believes he is “100 percent” ready and confident in his ability to make an immediate impact for the Cardinals.
“I’m excited to go out there and pitch when my name is called.”
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