Hernando Today
Inching Closer...Ryan Keeps Brewing
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Published: May 21, 2008
In theory, Patrick Ryan believes playing at the Double A level puts a minor leaguer "a phone call away" from the parent club.
Indeed, advancing up the organizational ladder pushes big league dreams that much closer to reality.
Ryan, a 2001 Central High graduate now in his third full season of pro ball in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system, has begun to close in on putting on a Major League uniform.
The 6-foot, 200-pound right-hander is currently pitching for the Huntsville Stars; the Brewers' Double A affiliate in the Southern League.
Working out of the bullpen, he has permitted a run in 21.1 innings over 15 appearances, recording one win and four saves while allowing nine hits, nine walks and striking out 12.
"It's going good," Ryan said. "We're winning a lot of games. It's real fun. We've got a good team.
"I'm doing good, hanging in there. The hitters are a lot better, a lot more patient. They have a lot better idea of what pitch they want to hit. If they don't get their pitch, they're probably not going to swing. It's important to get ahead. If you fall behind they're going to hit you."
Cut above
Ryan, who turns 25 on May 31, resides in Plant City, but still has Hernando County roots. His stepfather and mother, Nelson and Rene Snow, live in Brooksville.
Following a strong collegiate career at Embry-Riddle University, the Brewers selected Ryan in the 19th round of the 2005 amateur draft.
He went 5-2 with a 1.87 earned run average in his first pro season with the Class A West Virginia Power.
Last season he split time with the Power and Brevard County Manatees, a higher-level Class A club, going a combined 5-3 with a 2.30 ERA and five saves. He struck out 75 batters in 82 innings.
Though he has done some closing, realistically Ryan projects himself as a set-up man based on his stuff. This year he has worked on improving his pitching repertoire.
"I'm working on my fastball command a lot more," Ryan said. "I want to be able to throw my fastball down to both sides of the plate. That's what I've been working at all year so far.
"I'm able to throw inside to righties, which I've had a problem with since I started playing. I finally figured it out. I gave up on my two-seamer (fastball). Now I throw the cutter (fastball) in to righties.
"I'd say I'm on my way. There's always stuff you've got to work on. I'd like to be able to throw my off-speed pitches for strikes more than I do, but my fastball command is coming along a little better."
Though he concedes the thought of making the Brewers, or even just moving up Triple A, looms in the back of his mind, he noted that he tries "to take care of business and hope everything else takes care of itself."
It doesn't matter to him what role he plays out of the bullpen, so long as he gets the opportunity to pitch. Meanwhile, he'll keep trying to improve and waiting on that phone call.
"I'd like to get my walk ratio down a little bit," Ryan said. "I'd like to keep my groundball ratio where it is. I'd like to keep getting groundballs."
BY THE NUMBERS: PATRICK RYAN (thru 05-13)
YR TEAM GP IP H R ER BB K W L ERA
2006 WVA 45 91.2 77 26 19 27 73 05 02 1.87
2007 WVA 16 30.2 23 13 11 12 30 02 00 3.23
2007 BC 34 51.1 37 10 10 14 45 03 03 1.75
2008 HUNT 12 18.2 06 00 00 09 09 01 00 0.00
TOTAL 107 192.1 143 49 40 62 157 11 05 1.87
Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or online at cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.
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