ABL import pitcher pays his dues, no longer sideshow in minors

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Rinku Singh has a 2.95 ERA in 35 relief appearances

By Michael Sanserino / Pittsburgh Post-Gazett

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The offseason can be a difficult time for Rinku Singh

 While most of his minor league teammates can return home, either in the United States or Latin America, and work on baseball conditioning, Singh finds that task more difficult when he returns home to India.

He’ll travel with a ton of baseballs. He just can’t find anybody to play catch.

“I have to do my long toss and throwing program against the wall,” Singh said. “Throw each ball, then go get it. Come back and throw. It’s kind of crazy. I enjoy it. I’m doing my work, but people watching me think I’m crazy.

When the Pirates signed a television reality show winner from India a few years ago, some thought the move was a gimmick. But Singh is proving this gimmick’s got game.

The left-handed pitcher, who won “Million Dollar Arm” in 2008, is putting together another solid season in the minor leagues as he continues his ascent in the Pirates’ system. Singh has a 2.95 ERA and has made 35 relief appearances for the West Virginia Power this season, only his third of competitive baseball

The key to his success this season is a sense of comfort that has evaded him ever since he picked up a baseball for the first time in preparation for the reality show, which sought to turn some of India’s top cricket hurlers into major league pitchers

Singh, 24, never played cricket competitively. Instead, he was training to become an Olympian in the javelin

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• Posted on August 18, 2012 at 6:02 pm
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• Filed in: Adelaide Bite, Canberra Cavalry, Minor League