Top pick just wants to fit in with Bandits
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By Steve Batterson | Friday, April 04, 2008 |
Pete Kozma gets it.
The Quad-Cities River Bandits shortstop would prefer a life away from the limelight, something he knows isn’t possible when you are a first-round draft pick of a major league baseball team.
St. Louis put the spotlight on Kozma last June, making him the 18th pick in baseball’s annual draft.
“In a perfect world, it would be great to go out and blend in, just be one of the guys and fit in with the team,’’ Kozma said. “I know people are watching, though, but that goes with the deal.’’
Kozma got a quick taste of that last summer, working through the Cardinals’ Gulf Coast, Appalachian and New York-Penn League affiliates.
Fans chased his autograph. Teammates gave him a little grief about the way he attracted a crowd.
“There is attention that goes with it, but you deal with it all the best you can,’’ Kozma said. “I’m not any different than any other player on this team. I’m just trying to get better one day, one game at a time.’’
Kozma hit .233 in 42 games in a short opening season after signing with St. Louis, including 30 with Johnson City in the Appalachian League.
That led the 19-year-old infielder from Owasso, Okla., to the Quad-Cities this season, where he and the River Bandits are preparing for today’s 7 p.m. season opener at Modern Woodmen Park against Wisconsin.
“I’m ready to get started and play some baseball,’’ Kozma said. “Spring training was a good experience for me, and getting a chance to go up with some of the big-league guys was good for me.’’
As he watches Kozma, Quad-City manager Steve Dillard sees the combination of athleticism, arm strength and footwork and the ability to read the ball off the bat.
He also sees something else.
“He seems to handle things well and has a pretty good maturity about him,’’ Dillard said. “He seems to be comfortable with where he’s at and in my mind, that’s always the first step, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take on a leadership role as the season progresses.’’
Kozma appreciates what he learned last summer, calling his rapid rise through the lower tiers of the Cardinals farm system a beneficial experience.
He said it gave him a chance to experience the day-to-day grind that accompanies professional baseball, something he expects to continue to adjust to as he starts his first 140-game schedule.
“I got my feet wet last season, but I realize I have a lot more to learn,’’ Kozma said. “I can’t use all my energy up the first week.
“I know there will probably be some ups and downs, and I’m sure there will be times when I struggle a bit. Dealing with that will be big, but I am anxious to get it going to see what it’s all about.’’
Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
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