By Tim Schmitt
Steve Geltz has found it’s a whole lot easier to live in Rancho Cucamonga than it is to pronounce it.
The former Wilson and University at Buffalo pitcher has taken a liking to his new digs less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles.
And the Class A Quakes of the California League sure don’t mind having the Ransomville product. Since being promoted from rookie ball, Geltz has been an integral part of the team’s bullpen, and his 4-0 record is the staff’s best mark through Monday’s action.
“I can’t get over it, being in Southern California and playing baseball,” Geltz said. “You just can’t beat it. Waking up and seeing palm trees in your backyard, it’s nice.”
Although the Quakes are mired in fourth place in the South Division, the team has rallied to win in each of his last two appearances — a three-inning stint on Lake Elsinore and a scoreless showing against Lancaster.
“Geltzy’s been fantastic for us,” Quakes’ pitching coach Daniel Ricabal said. “He’s kinda been a dark horse. Our pitching staff had injuries, Geltzy got sent up and he’s been impressive since he got here.”
Geltz shined at UB his senior year, giving up just four earned runs and 16 hits in 211⁄3 innings of work as the Bulls’ closer. He also had 30 strikeouts.
His numbers aren’t as stellar in Rancho Cucamonga, but they’re still solid — a 4.22 earned run average in 211⁄3 innings of work and 20 strikeouts.
“He throws strikes,” Ricabal said. “He basically jumped a level and it’s hard to project where guys will go, but he sure has the heart and determination. He’s a fearless pitcher on the mound, in what’s a hitter league.”
Since the Quakes are located just 40 minutes from the parent Angels, Geltz often finds stars on rehab assignments in the team’s locker room. Vlad Guerrero played a pair of games for the Quakes, while Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar also made starts.
“Guys like Guerrero, I grew up watching on SportsCenter and now I’m in the locker room watching them get ready to play,” Geltz said. “Here he is, the face of the Angels, getting taped up next to me.”
Ricabal said having the chance to see such big leaguers get ready for action can only hope aspiring players like Geltz.
“Having, say, Kelvim Escobar and getting a chance to see how he goes about his business, the preparation and stretching routines he goes through, even the warmup pitches he throws, that helps,” the coach said. “Obviously, he’s pitched at a very high level. As coaches, we preach things day in and out, but to see them first-hand from those guys is important.”
Geltz also got to play in San Diego’s Petco Field when the Quakes matched up with the Padres’ farm team from Lake Elsinore. In the eighth inning, since the Phillies and Padres followed the Class A game, Geltz saw a new face in his team’s dugout.
“I looked over and Jimmy Rollins was sitting there,” Geltz said. “That was pretty neat.”
But as for his performance, Geltz isn’t going to overthink what the future will bring. He plans on just doing one thing — throwing strikes.
“I knew coming in here, I just as good a chance as anybody now,” Geltz said. “I just keep doing my thing. It’s a lot different college, if you do well, you get noticed. It’s two levels up from where I started. I’m kind of pumped up about that.
“But I try not to think about it. It gets me kind of revved up.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
