Gwynn says White Sox prospect 'gets it'

(MCT) — Tony Gwynn had a simple explanation for relief pitcher Addison Reed's rocket-like rise through the minor leagues and his determination to become a mainstay in the White Sox's bullpen.

"He gets it," said Gwynn, a Hall of Famer who coached Reed at San Diego State from 2008 to 2010.

Reed's biggest goal _ making a major contribution in the major leagues _ represents the challenge Gwynn presented to him when he recruited him out of Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

"When these guys sign, they think they know what's going to happen. But they don't know jack," Gwynn said in a telephone interview. "It's part of the recruiting process. We ask them, 'Do you want to play pro ball?'

"It's not getting there. It's being the guy."

Reed, 23, knows the closer's job won't be handed to him. Nor is he assured of a spot on the Opening Day roster, as pitching coach Don Cooper downplayed any guarantees for Reed last weekend at SoxFest.

But after pitching in the shadow of Stephen Strasburg from 2008-09 at SDSU, Reed emerged as a top-notch prospect _ thanks to a 96-mph fastball and what he observed from Strasburg, Gwynn and pitching coach Rusty Filter, now at Stanford.

Reed admired how Strasburg, one of the most highly touted first overall picks, maintained his focus in front of dozens of scouts and radar guns every time he pitched.

"Those years will stand out in SDSU history," Gwynn said of the Strasburg-Reed era.

From Filter, Reed learned the "bulldog mentality" of becoming a closer during his first two years at SDSU, to trust his repertoire of pitches and not second-guess his selection.

As for Gwynn's influence, "he played in the big leagues for 20 years, and he talked to me about things I should expect when I get up there with telling me it's the same game as college and high school," Reed recalled. "The mound doesn't change. It's still the same distance (from home plate) and to have fun with everything."

But there's a big difference between pitching at Class A Kannapolis, where Reed struck out 11 and allowed only four hits in eight innings, and pitching at U.S. Cellular Field.