‘Steady Eddy’ Gets Major League Education In Lake Elsinore

Imagine being a 16-year-old – basically a high school sophomore – and being signed for more than $300,000 as an undrafted free agent by a Major League Baseball team.

And soon after, you’re expected to produce in the minor leagues against pitchers and competitors who are older and more experienced in many ways.

That’s what Edinson Rincon, now a 20-year-old Lake Elsinore Storm right-handed hitting, right-handed throwing third baseman and designated hitter, faced coming out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Thus far, Rincon has produced, earning the nickname, “Steady Eddy” by his teammates.

“I try to do my best,” Rincon said. “Try to make the playoffs.”

Before Wednesday’s game, Rincon has hit for a .336 batting average – good for second on Lake Elsinore and sixth in the California League. He has racked up 50 runs batted in and 24 doubles – both third on the team -- and a .391 on-base percentage, also third behind Jedd Gyorko’s .429 and Jason Hagerty’s .399.

“I don’t try to lead the league in batting average,” Rincon said. “I just try to do my best.”

The steady moniker stands in that Rincon has hit .310 in June, .331 in May and .369 in April.

Yet, perhaps it was that naivetee, or lack of worldly experience that got him a warning by Major League officials after testing positive for a banned substance, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune in 2007.

“I don’t know,” Rincon said Wednesday when he was asked about the incident, which occurred just after he started playing.

But he is growing into his position, both with the Padres and in the U.S.

Rincon is looking for a steady July – or better. As of Wednesday, Lake Elsinore (10-5) sat atop the Cal League South Division standings, with first-half champion Rancho Cucamonga at 9-6 in second place in the second half. The Storm is the advanced single-A ballclub of the San Diego Padres.

The thing that sticks out with the Padres’ minor leaguers is that there appears to be a logjam at third base, behind the serviceable Chase Headley, San Diego’s starting third baseman. Tearing it up at Double-A San Antonio is James Darnell, a Texas League All-Star Game MVP and Futures Game invitee. Darnell’s numbers are outstanding as well - .333, 17 home runs, 62 RBIs before a recent call-up Monday to Triple-A Tucson.

Without question, one of the California League’s hottest hitters is Jedd Gyorko, another All-Star Game MVP and second-round pick who was splitting time with Rincon at third and in the DH spot.

Gyorko’s numbers (.365, 18 homers, 74 RBIs, all team highs) merited him a promotion on July 4 to Double-A San Antonio, where he went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and a run scored. Former Lake Elsinore closer Miles Mikolas, who also got called up July 4 to San Antonio, pitched a perfect eighth for his first win at the Double-A level.

So unless someone gets traded, one of them will likely have to change positions.

Rincon has primarily played third base ever since he was signed. He is the least defensively gifted of the three – he has a low .816 fielding percentage and his 18 errors make him the prime candidate to get moved. Last season in 106 games at Fort Wayne playing third, Rincon made 36 errors. Rincon could also work on his speed – he has one stolen base this season.

Darnell, who has been moved between first base, third and the outfield, had a .928 fielding percentage and nine errors at third. Gyorko recently had a .938 percentage with eight errors.

“They’ll make a choice,” Rincon said, when he was asked if he’ll make a position change soon. “I’m taking it step by step, getting a little bit better.”

Storm interim manager Phil Plantier is a big advocate of Rincon’s skills.

“He’s been extremely consistent the entire season,” Plantier said. “He’s taken what pitchers have given him. He’s come along extremely fast this year. He uses right-center extremely well. That’s an asset. His feet have gotten better, he’s got a cannon for an arm.”

Plantier did not comment on whether Rincon would be looked at as a candidate to move from third.

For now, Rincon knows he must continue to learn and get better at the plate if he gets promoted through the system.

“I’m working on (hitting) the breaking pitch,” Rincon said. “I’m working on everything – defensively, offensively. It’s very fun here. We have very good players. It’s exciting.”

Rincon said one of his best highlights was on June 7, when he went 5-for-6 with a grand slam and seven runs batted in a 24-4 rout at Lancaster.

Rincon said he grew up a fan of current Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, one of several current and former natives of Santo Domingo.

Rincon’s parents are Eddy, a local business owner who introduced Rincon to the game as a child and “thought I’d do very well”, and Marta.

In 2009, after an 0-for-21 start with the Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds, Rincon hit .300. In 2010, in 132 games at Fort Wayne, Rincon hit .250 with 13 homers and 69 RBIs.