Patrick Kivlehan Seeks His Chance Starts Against Mets

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Patrick Kivlehan is making up for lost baseball time.

The Reds back up outfielder has been with the team all season but has scarcer playing time.

Absences from a baseball lineup don’t faze Kivlehan.  He gave up baseball for three years between graduation in 2008 from St. Joseph’s High School in Montvale, New Jersey and the spring of 2012 when he completed his career as a defensive back at Rutgers University.

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Kivlehan asked to play baseball his senior season.  He won the Big East Triple Crown with a .399 batting average, 14 home runs and 50 RBI.  Kivlehan was named Big East Player of the Year.  Just like that he had a baseball career when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round. 

His lack of baseball experience hurt him in the minor leagues. He was traded to Texas, reaquired by the Mariners, claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.  Kivlehan played in five games for the Padres last season before the Reds claimed him off waivers on September 28.  He was hitless in three games for the Reds at the tail end of the season.

The Reds got a good look at him in spring training and he earned a roster spot as an extra outfielder, who could also spell Joey Votto late in games.

Kivlehan has some big hits this season for Cincinnati. He has been in 93 games mostly as a pinch hitter but started 22 in five different positions (3B 1, CF 2, LF 5, RF 14) with 11 games finishing up for Votto.  He has eight pinch hits in 48 attempts.  Kivlehan has a grand slam among his eight home runs and a two home run start at Philadelphia on May 28.

“Forget about his batting average because of his scarce playing time,” manager Bryan Price said. “He could be an every day player if given the opportunity.  He defends well at multiple positions. He’s a good base runner with speed.”

Kivlehan is starting in leftfield against the New York Mets, taking over for a struggling Adam Duvall, who given the chance has become a solid every day player.  In rightfield, Scott Schebler is developing into a solid every day outfielder, leaving Kivlehan seeking a similar opportunity.