Saturday, May 25, 2013

Kobernus ready for MLB debut

Photo by the Associated Press
A second round pick of the Nationals in 2009, Jeff Kobernus had done just about everything he could to earn a call-up to the major leagues.

At 24 he had held a .288 average through four minor league seasons, stolen over 40 bases in consecutive years, and been a standout on defense. This season he’s held a .333 clip at Triple-A Syracuse, posted 21 steals through 43 games, and scored a team-high 33 runs: all top-five marks in the International League.

This spring he perhaps got closest as part of the Detroit Tigers, but was sent back to Washington as part of the Rule 5 Draft late in camp. Close, but again no call-up.

But on Friday night that dream finally came true for the young second baseman as before the Chiefs were set to take batting practice in Columbus, Kobernus was notified by coach Tony Beasley he would be headed to the majors. He said he called his father Jeff, a former minor league pitcher who topped out at the Double-A level, to tell him the news. His dad started crying, a dream the two had worked towards across two generations was about to come true.

“I called my dad first and then my mom,” Kobernus said. “My dad, he was crying, which was kind of one of those things where he’s helped me a lot through my career and it was a dream come true to be able to call him and tell him to come out.”

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2 comments:

SonnyG10 said...

I'd like to see Jeff play...see what he's got. Hope he has a good arm.

peric said...

Its good enough to play (along with his speed) to play all three outfield positions ... he is athletic enough.

He just has to hit AND WALK in the majors. If he learns to walk he will end up starting for this team.

I still can't figure out how Anthony Rendon can walk as many times as he strikes out, hit for power, and average and none of the other minor leaguers can? Even Harper.

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