Kannenberg is not a bullpen guy.
鈥淚 like the routine of being a starter,鈥� he said.
Those kinds of pitchers thrive on the four-day ritual that goes with it. It鈥檚 not like it鈥檚 time off: 鈥淵ou are preparing every day for the day you start.鈥�
It is a routine that was learned late, however. It was only after high school that Kannenberg was switched from centre field to the mound when coaches noticed how strong his throwing was. He has former teammates from high school and youth ball who are shocked to learn he is now pitching.
And doing it well.
鈥淚 never had the mindset of a pitcher until two years ago when they said they liked my arm strength from centre field,鈥� said the six-foot-one, 205-pounder.
Kannenberg was a team-best 7-5 this spring as a junior for the University of San Francisco Dons. In 89 innings pitched, he had 50 strikeouts and a 3.74 ERA as the Dons finished fifth in the tough NCAA Div. 1 West Coast Conference.
His strongest pitches are the fastball and slider.
鈥淚 am comfortable with my command of both and I can throw them on any count,鈥� said the 22-year-old from Littleton, Colorado.
If fans think this career arc on the mound has been rapid in just two years, they鈥檙e right. Dad Scott Kannenberg was an Angels prospect who made it to the double-A and triple-A levels. Professional baseball is where the younger Kannenberg also has his sights set. There were 59 WCL alumni selected in the 2015 MLB draft. This is his draft year, so there is time for two outings for the HarbourCats ahead of the 2016 MLB draft next Thursday.
鈥淚 want to play pro ball,鈥� he said, of his career goals.
This is Kannenberg鈥檚 second season in summer collegiate ball after playing last summer in Illinois for the Springfield Sliders of the Prospects League, starting nine games with a 1-2 record with 40 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA in 57.1 innings.
The link to Victoria this summer was former HarbourCats coach Bob Miller, who is also coach of Cuesta College in California, where Kannenberg played two seasons before being recruited by USF.
The HarbourCats are hoping that鈥檚 a connection made in mound heaven.
Victoria has 27 players on the roster for tonight鈥檚 opener, of which 12 are pitchers and 15 are position players.
The opening series continues Saturday and Sunday against the Sweets, named after a famous brand of onion in southeastern Washington state.
The HarbourCats home opener is Tuesday at Royal Athletic Park against the Wenatchee AppleSox.
