John Clay: Former UK, Tates Creek star Gott making most of big-league call-up

Trevor Gott had been pitching for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees for just a couple of weeks when the former Tates Creek High School star was told he was needed in the manager's office.

"We had just finished a game in Salt Lake and I was about to get ready to head back to the place," said Gott of his meeting with Manager Dave Anderson. "He told me to have a seat and I was like, 'Well, I'm either going up or down.' He talked for a second and then he said, 'You're going up to The Show.'

"I was pretty much speechless. I didn't know what to say."

The 22-year-old might not have known what to say, but he sure knew what to do. Since being called up by the Los Angeles Angels on June 13, the right-handed reliever has not allowed a run in six appearances, giving up just three hits over six innings.

"It's been great," said Gott on Saturday by phone from Anaheim where the Angels were preparing to play the Seattle Mariners.

"He has a power arm," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "Not only do you see the velocity, you see the life on the ball, the nice action through the zone."

Already, Gott has taken over the role as the seventh-inning reliever leading to setup man Joe Smith and Angels closer Huston Street.

Not that anyone should be surprised, of course. A pitching phenom since his days helping Southeast Lexington to the Cal Ripken 12-and-under World Series, Gott became the University of Kentucky's career saves leader with 23.

Drafted in the sixth round by San Diego after his junior season in 2013, Gott was traded to the Angels last July in a move he admitted "caught me off guard."

Last season, his first full season in professional baseball, Gott earned 18 saves in 52 appearances. After eight saves in 18 games with Double-A Arkansas this year, Gott was promoted to Salt Lake, where he did not allow a run in 81⁄3 innings before being summoned to Los Angeles.

"I called my parents and they were both ecstatic," Gott said. "This is just a dream come true for all of us. They've dedicated a lot of their lives to my baseball so it was like they got called up, too."

In fact, Gott flew Vaughn and Teresa to California for his June 14 debut against Oakland, which lasted all of seven pitches, with Gott retiring the side in order.

"I was nervous," he admitted, "but after the first pitch you come back to reality and realize it's a baseball game and you've just got make your pitch."

He's also been thankful for the help. Smith and Street, both 31-year-old veterans, have offered advice about how to prepare and succeed. They're not alone.

"The big thing I've noticed is how accepting and willing to help the veterans are to the younger guys," Gott said. "They go out of their way to help you and that's a big thing."

In a happy coincidence, Gott isn't the only Lexingtonian on the Angels. Outfielder Collin Cowgill, the former Henry Clay star who also played at UK, is currently on the disabled list with a wrist injury.

"I still see him every day," Gott said. "He's doing his stuff to get healthy. He's a great guy."

Gott said he's grateful for the preparation he received at Kentucky and not just on the field.

"I give a lot of credit to Coach (Gary) Henderson," Gott said. "Me and some of the guys still talk about it. He turns you into a man and prepares you for life good and bad, just growing up, being mentally tough and being able to handle adversity."

If there's just one complaint — not really a complaint — it's that Vaughn and Teresa Gott don't get much sleep staying up to watch their son pitch in those West Coast games.

"And they don't even know if I'm going to pitch or not," said Trevor with a laugh. "I get in the locker room and I always have a text from both my dad and my mom. It's awesome. The support they give me, it's just incredible."

This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 5:54 PM with the headline "John Clay: Former UK, Tates Creek star Gott making most of big-league call-up."