Iowa's Rea Named Pitcher of the Year

August 29, 2019 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Pacific Coast League announced Thursday that Iowa Cubs right-hander Colin Rea was named the 2019 Pitcher of the Year. Rea joins Carlos Pimentel (2015) as the only Iowa pitchers to be named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year since joining the league in 1998.

The 29-year-old veteran has been a key catalyst for the I-Cubs this season, as Rea leads the league in wins (14), ERA (3.74) and winning percentage (.820). Rea also finds himself in the top five in many other pitching categories including; complete games (t-1st), games started (t-1st, 25), strikeouts (4th, 115), average against (4th, .253), innings pitched (5th, 142.0) and WHIP (5th, 1.35).

The Cascade, Iowa, native is 14-3 on the season and has won his last three outings, having not surrendered a loss since July 26 against Round Rock. Rea has 11 quality starts on the season, and has reached double digit strikeouts once this season, as he struck out 11 batters against the Las Vegas Aviators on August 7 in just 5.2 innings pitched.

Rea adds another award to a stellar 2019 campaign during which he was named both a mid- and postseason All-Star. He pitched a scoreless inning in relief for the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star Game, while striking out two batters in the PCL's victory over the International League.

The Padres 12th round selection of the 2011 draft out of Indiana State University, Rea signed with the Chicago Cubs as a minor league free agent on January 10 and was invited to spring training. He was then assigned to Iowa's roster on February 6, and has spent the entire season with the I-Cubs.

In his minor league career, the ninth-year professional is 43-41 in 167 games (133 starts) and has 591 strikeouts in 701.0 innings pitched. Rea has yielded only 283 walks and 59 home runs in his career. He has been named a mid- and postseason All-Star twice in his career (Double-A Texas League All-Star with San Antonio in 2015, PCL All-Star with Iowa in 2019).

Since 2004, the PCL's field managers, media representatives and broadcasters have voted for the league's top pitcher. Along with Rea, three other pitchers received vote(s) including Zac Gallen (New Orleans), Paul Blackburn (Las Vegas) and Hector Noesi (New Orleans). Rea joins the likes of Felix Hernandez (2005), R.A. Dickey (2007), Brady Rodgers (2016) and last year's recipient, Dakota Hudson, to have won this award.

Iowa Cubs pitcher Colin Rea (Dylan Heuer)

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