Angels call up former Tates Creek, UK star Trevor Gott to majors

Trevor Gott, who starred in high school at Tates Creek and in college at Kentucky, was called up to the majors for the first time in his career by the Los Angeles Angels.

"It’s what I’ve been working for my whole life," Gott said in a report on MLB.com. "I'm still trying to take it all in."

Gott, a sixth-round draft pick by San Diego in 2013, has worked his way up through the minor leagues quickly. His pace accelerated after a midseason trade last year sent him from the Padres organization to the Angels.

He started the season at Double-A Arkansas, where he posted a 1-0 record with a 3.20 ERA and converted all eight of his save opportunities. He had 20 strikeouts in 19-2/3 innings.

Gott was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake in late May. He didn't give up a run in seven relief appearances, and he had 10 strikeouts in 8-1/3 innings.

"The arm is there," Salt Lake Manager Dave Anderson told The Salt Lake Tribune after Gott's last appearance with the team. "There's no question about that. He's got great stuff. It's just a matter of being consistent and throwing strikes. With young pitchers, it's all about figuring some things out mechanically so you consistently throw the ball over the plate. But his stuff is really, really good. It's fun to watch him pitch."

Gott's fastball can reach 96 to 98 mph.

"When a guy throws hard, it's electric stuff," Bees catcher Jett Bandy told The Salt Lake Tribune. "It brings energy to everyone. It's fun to see him throw, and it's fun to catch. It's hard to hit, too."

Gott finished college as Kentucky's career and single-season record holder in saves. But Los Angeles already has a top-flight closer in Huston Street, the key player it acquired in the trade that included Gott. So Gott's role will be as a middle reliever.

"Obviously, it would be nice to be a big-league closer and have that role your whole career," Gott told The Salt Lake Tribune. "But realistically, guys don't just jump from the minors into a closer role. So whatever gets me to the big leagues and keeps me there, I'm fine with. Whether it's (pitching) the sixth, seventh and eighth innings or being a closer, I'm not going to be picky with the role I have, if I get up there."

This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Angels call up former Tates Creek, UK star Trevor Gott to majors."