Where Are They Now: Chad Reineke

TROY, N.Y.--One week before the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline in 2008, the Houston Astros were searching for a veteran presence to help anchor its rotation. The Astros found a match with the San Diego Padres, acquiring veteran left-hander Randy Wolf. In exchange for Wolf, the Astros traded one of its top pitching prospects and former ValleyCat, Chad Reineke.

Reineke was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Miami University in Ohio. He made his professional debut with the ValleyCats that summer. In 23 games with the ValleyCats, Reineke compiled a 1-2 record with a 2.45 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched

The right-hander pitcher, Reineke, continued to ascend up the Astros' minor league system ladder, playing in Class A Lexington in 2005, Class A-Advanced Salem and Double A Corpus Christi in 2006 and Triple A Round Rock in 2007 and 2008.

Reineke was called up to Houston on July 7, but never pitched before being optioned to Round Rock. Reineke reported to the Padres' Triple A Affiliate Portland Beavers and started three games, tallying 17.1 innings pitched. On August 16, the Padres called Reineke up to the major leagues, making the right-hander the eleventh former ValleyCats to go from "The Joe to the Show".

In his first professional appearance and start, Reineke defeated the World Champion Phillies, tossing five innings and allowing three runs. Reineke remained with the Padres for the last month and a half of the season, compiling a 2-1 record.