No control to no fear
Taking over closer role from departing Kevin Gunderson, Eddie Kunz has been flawless
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 5/24/07 Section: Sports
What does it take to be Oregon State's closer? Well for Eddie Kunz, the answer is simple.
"You have to eat a hearty breakfast," Kunz said. "It is even better when someone cooks it for you."
In addition to a good meal starting out his day, Kunz has become the OSU closer through hard work and having a family in the bullpen.
The tall freckle faced right hander from Parkrose High School developed a reputation as effectively wild as he worked his way through his years as a Bronco. Leaving high school un-drafted, Kunz was able to fulfill his commitment to Oregon State University.
"It was a big change, no one had any clue who I was except Gundy," Kunz said. "I came in as a lonely kid out of Parkrose that people thought was a big kid who was cocky that can come in and throw hard. Over the years I have tried to find myself and I think I have."
As a freshman, Kunz threw in only 13 games as OSU made their way to their first of two straight College World Series appearances. In Super Regional action against USC, Kunz entered midway through the final game of the series and threw two innings, holding the Trojans to two runs and helping clinch the World Series berth.
After a summer playing in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, Kunz was primed for a role as setup man for last seasons closer Kevin Gunderson. Learning from Gunderson in the bullpen helped Kunz prepare for his new role as this season began; closer and as a go-to guy for Oregon State's young pitching staff.
"Gundy was one of the better closers in the nation," Kunz said. "He had a job and he did it well, he got outs when he had to, and it's a hard act to follow. I just come in and do my thing. I just want to do as good a job as he did."
Kunz has become one of the top reliever prospects in the nation as he has been given more and more responsibility in the back of the Beaver pen. After a summer in the Cape Cod League, Kunz was rated as the seventh best prospect in what is believed to be the top summer league. The summer success led Baseball America to rate Kunz as the top prospect in the Pac-10 entering the year.
"You have to eat a hearty breakfast," Kunz said. "It is even better when someone cooks it for you."
In addition to a good meal starting out his day, Kunz has become the OSU closer through hard work and having a family in the bullpen.
The tall freckle faced right hander from Parkrose High School developed a reputation as effectively wild as he worked his way through his years as a Bronco. Leaving high school un-drafted, Kunz was able to fulfill his commitment to Oregon State University.
"It was a big change, no one had any clue who I was except Gundy," Kunz said. "I came in as a lonely kid out of Parkrose that people thought was a big kid who was cocky that can come in and throw hard. Over the years I have tried to find myself and I think I have."
As a freshman, Kunz threw in only 13 games as OSU made their way to their first of two straight College World Series appearances. In Super Regional action against USC, Kunz entered midway through the final game of the series and threw two innings, holding the Trojans to two runs and helping clinch the World Series berth.
After a summer playing in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, Kunz was primed for a role as setup man for last seasons closer Kevin Gunderson. Learning from Gunderson in the bullpen helped Kunz prepare for his new role as this season began; closer and as a go-to guy for Oregon State's young pitching staff.
"Gundy was one of the better closers in the nation," Kunz said. "He had a job and he did it well, he got outs when he had to, and it's a hard act to follow. I just come in and do my thing. I just want to do as good a job as he did."
Kunz has become one of the top reliever prospects in the nation as he has been given more and more responsibility in the back of the Beaver pen. After a summer in the Cape Cod League, Kunz was rated as the seventh best prospect in what is believed to be the top summer league. The summer success led Baseball America to rate Kunz as the top prospect in the Pac-10 entering the year.
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