FL Chillicothe Paints

Kesten provides Frontier League with plenty of proof

August 13, 2004 - Frontier League (FL)
Chillicothe Paints News Release


Michael Kesten is a 6-3, 230 pound left- handed pitcher with four pitches, including a fastball consistently in the low-90 mph range.

In addition, he leads the Frontier League's active pitchers with five complete games, 125 strikeouts and 115 innings pitched. He is also among the league leaders with an impressive 2.81 ERA and he was selected to pitch in the 2004 Frontier League All-Star Game.

The afore mentioned statistics may make one wonder why Kesten is still wearing a Chillicothe Paints' uniform and has not been signed by a Major League organization.

There is no obvious answer to that question and while the Paints' organization and fans certainly wish Kesten nothing but the best in regards to his career, they are very pleased he is firing from the mound at V. A. Memorial Stadium.

Kesten himself has no answer as to why he has not been noticed by Major League scouts, but he also quickly points out that he would return to Chillicothe next year if the scouts don't call.

"Chillicothe is a great place to play (baseball) and who wouldn't want to be part of a winning team. I think we (the Paints) are going to have an awesome nucleus of players to begin next year," said Kesten with excitement in his voice.

"We have some very solid rookies on this ball club and they are just going to get better next year," he explained. "It's going to be tough for new guys to come in and make this ball club next year."

The conversations switches back to this year and Kesten exudes the same excitement despite the Paints chances of a playoff berth growing dimmer with each defeat.

"We have more guys on this team stepping up now than at any time this year. Some teams may think they have it (playoff spot) locked up, but we don't feel that way at all," Kesten stated. "It's fun to be playing right now. We know we have a good chance (for a playoff berth), although some may not think we do. We have had to face some adversity on this team because of key injuries and losing (Mark) Hamilton and (Jeff) Hunter, but we're not ready to fold yet."

His last outing this past Wednesday was a heartbreaker for Kesten and his teammates. Despite recording a season-high 15 strikeouts, issuing no walks and posting his fifth complete game of the year, Michael and the Paints managed to drop a 4-3 decision to the Florence Freedom.

"If you throw strikes you have a chance to be successful at any level," said Kesten. "I had one inning that I struggled with my control and it cost me."

Kesten, like many southpaw hurlers, has a little jerky hitch in his pitching motion that he is well aware.

"I know I look like a wreck out there sometimes, but I feel very comfortable with my delivery. I always advise youngsters to work hard on their mechanics, and get their legs and body into every pitch. I do that, although it may not always appear that way," Kesten chuckles.

If there is a negative thought on Kesten's mind, it is the fact that he doesn't get to pitch enough. Despite leading the Frontier League in inning pitched, he wishes had more opportunities to take the mound.

"Five days between starts is a long time for me," Michael explains. "I've never had a sore arm after a pitching performance. I guess it's a blessing, but I really try to keep my arm as strong as possible."

Kesten's workout routine between starts may surprise many baseball fans. You can find him "long tossing" the day after his last appearance and doing the same the day before his next outing.

"I throw every day during batting practice at a minimum of 120 feet. On the day before my start, I'll throw several tosses as long as 300 feet. Some people may disagree with what I do, but it seems to work for me. It has kept my throwing arm strong and I have been able to stay healthy," he concluded.

Kesten, age 22 and a native of Bellflower, California, signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners in 1999 and, despite a couple of impressive seasons, was released by the Mariners in the spring of 2003. After a short stint with the now defunct Canadian Professional League, he was signed by the Paints in August of last year.

"Ramon (Royce) told Rick Blanc about me and Rick talked to Jamie (Keefe) and that's how I ended up in Chillicothe," explained Kesten. "It doesn't matter what has happened (with my career) in the past. I think I have more to prove now than ever before."

Frontier League opposing batters would probably agree that Kesten has proved plenty this year and they hope that the ML scouts would sweep Mr. Kesten away so he's not around in 2005 to prove any more.



Frontier League Stories from August 13, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central