Wuertz to start opener

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 6, 2000

Before each start in high school, righthander Mike Wuertz used to eat a barbeque chicken sandwich from Subway.

Thursday, April 06, 2000

Before each start in high school, righthander Mike Wuertz used to eat a barbeque chicken sandwich from Subway.

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But since the one-time Austin High ace began pitching in the minor leagues he’s taken to getting his pre-start protein from steak.

"It’s a superstition I’ve had," said Wuertz, who dined on a steak sandwich in his new home of Daytona, Fla. last night.

Tonight, Wuertz will make his second straight opening day start as a member of the Chicago Cubs organization.

After spending the entire 1999 season with the Class A Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts, the 21-year-old was assigned to the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League.

Wuertz will start the season off on the road against the Kissimmee Cobras (a Houston Astros farm team).

Last season, Wuertz got stuck with the opening-day loss, pitching five innings and allowing three runs.

"You want to win the first game," Wuertz said. "The challenge is there to go out and win it – just like with every other start."

For Wuertz, who is listed among the Top 15 Chicago Cubs prospects by Baseball America, tonight’s start is likely his final opener in Class A.

The Florida State League is considered High A baseball. The next level for a prospect of Wuertz’s acclaim would be Double A baseball.

Wuertz expects a different atmosphere in the Florida State League than the one he experienced in Lansing.

Since all the teams are in Florida, the road trips are shorter – today’s road trip from Daytona to Kissimmee will take just 1 hour, 15 minutes, said Wuertz – and the fan base is limited.

"There’s not a lot of fans," Wuertz said. "We might play in front of 500 people."

The Florida State League games draw the attention of scouts and other baseball people. But with all of the entertainment options in Florida, Wuertz said, Class A baseball doesn’t necessarily appeal to the average fan.

"It’s going to be different," said Wuertz, whose life is already a lot different than it was in Lansing.

For one, he’s living on the Atlantic Ocean. Wuertz and two teammates – a shortstop and relief pitcher – live in a beach house located just 1/5 of a mile away from the sea.

But for all the atmosphere changes, Wuertz’s aim remains the same – to continue to develop as a pitcher.

"Spring went real well," he said. "I’m throwing the ball consistently, working on situational pitching.

"That’s a huge thing in baseball – getting ground balls when you need them, stuff like that."