The Hidden Piece for Chicago's Rotation: Jeff Kinley
July 29, 2022 - American Association (AA)
Chicago Dogs News Release
Three hours before a 6:00 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, the Chicago Dogs bullpen took position in left field for their typical pregame stretching and soft toss. The tight-knit group jogs out almost ceremoniously to get their arms warm and squeeze in some banter.
The routine comes as second-nature to relievers. They throw, return to the clubhouse and all reconvene in the bullpen once gametime rolls around.
That is, all but one. In three hours, Jeff Kinley won't be watching the first pitch from left field. He'll be throwing it.
The southpaw, Chicago's onetime dominant closer, trotted out against a Cleburne RailRoaders team averaging over 10 runs in their past 10 games and largely silenced them across seven innings. Kinley allowed just two runs off six hits and struck out four in his longest appearance since 2015.
The past month was littered with milestones for the Michigan State alum. Kinley was sent out for his first start since he was a Spartan in the second game of a July 4 doubleheader against the Kane County Cougars. He initially intended to throw just a handful of innings as a way to set the tone against a majority left-handed lineup.
"He was almost like an opener," Chicago pitching coach Stu Cliburn said. "We treated it that way and thought maybe at the most it would be two or three innings."
Yet when Kinley struck out the side in the third inning, it begged the question: How far can he go?
Kane County had not picked up a hit since the first inning. Cliburn and manager Butch Hobson looked over at the second-year Dog for a status check once he entered the dugout and were given a simple response.
"We asked him how he felt, he gave a thumbs up and went back out there," Cliburn said. "After the third, he's walking off the mound saying 'I'm good.' He went out for the fourth, did the same thing and got results."
The lefty slinger only turned it up as the game went on. The first inning solo home run and walk were the only two baserunners Kinley allowed over five innings pitched. What was at first intended to be a spot start of two innings quickly became a real conversation on if Kinley's success as a starter was sustainable.
Cliburn and Hobson approached their 2021 closer after the game with an idea. What if Kinley, a mainstay in the bullpen, converted to the rotation full-time?
With the performance of Chicago's bullpen, Kinley no longer held the pressure as being the sole option in later innings. Former Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's pitcher Brian Schlitter recently signed with the Dogs and emerged as yet another high leverage arm to go along with Joe Cavallaro, Ryan Clark, Kevin Marnon and Paul Schwendel.
The decision still came with sacrifice. As a closer the year prior, Kinley pitched 55.1 innings, notched a 1.46 ERA and ranked second in the American Association with 18 saves. Down the stretch and into the playoffs, it was Kinley thrown into the fire and delivering clutch performances.
Yet, when asked, Kinley's answer was simple: "Why not?"
"We'd been going all year without a fifth starter," Kinley explained. "That makes it tough on your bullpen to cover that every five days. It's nice to fill that role."
Kinley hasn't lost touch with his reliever roots. He may not sit out in left field during games, but he still takes the time to warm up with his former bullpen counterparts as if he is.
"I like the routine of going out there and then taking some time to myself," Kinley said. "I'm used to it. I've been doing it for so long that it feels comfortable and I know my arm usually feels good after doing that, so I might as well do it and not change anything."
It's an unconventional routine, but it's one that has yielded results. The former 28th round selection of the Miami Marlins has pitched at least five innings in each of his four starts and allowed two runs or less in all but one.
The quick transition to the rotation is expected to take a physical toll on a pitcher. Going from one inning of work to up to seven can easily burn out an arm for the season. Kinley is an early exception to that rule, because he has yet to eclipse 90 pitches in a start.
"He's always been a strike-thrower," Hobson said. "Being in the bullpen and a closing situation, he goes out and doesn't throw too many pitches. He brings that into his starts."
Kinley is throwing strikes at a 63.6% rate this season, which places him in the top half of the American Association. The deadly mix of fastball, slider and his signature changeup gives him the ability to eliminate baserunner opportunities. Kinley already has tallied 27 strikeouts in his starts and walked just six.
The once lights-out closer has brought his back-end reliever mentality into his starts and produced strong results. The goal is now to sustain success and build up his arm in order to make that possible.
"Starting is great," Kinley said. "I hope to be [in the rotation] the rest of the year and build my arm up for more endurance."
American Association Stories from July 29, 2022
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- Goldeyes' Pitching Strikes Out 16 in Victory - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Cougars Drop Series Opener - Kane County Cougars
- The Hidden Piece for Chicago's Rotation: Jeff Kinley - Chicago Dogs
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