Despite his success, Rychel couldn't finish the game. Still just 18-years-old, he had a pitch count, his manager Lee Driggers told The Charleston News and Courier afterward.
"Kevin did a good job tonight and that's the longest he's gone all year," Driggers told The News and Courier after the Rychel-recorded win. "He came into this year on a limited pitch count, and has been going a little bit longer each time."
Rychel was in his second year as a pro. He went on to stretch his career to eight seasons. Rychel, though, couldn't stretch it to the majors.
Rychel's career began in 1989, taken by the Pirates in the sixth round of the draft, out of Midland High School in Texas.
Rychel started in the rookie Gulf Coast League, posting a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts. For 1990, he moved to Augusta, ultimately going 10-4 in 23 starts, with a 4.12 ERA. In early May 1990, Rychel threw five innings of three-hit ball for a win.
Over the next two seasons, Rychel split time between Augusta and high-A Salem. In his second year between the two, Rychel turned reliever.
Then, in 1994, at the age of 22, Rychel got his first look at AA Carolina. At Carolina, Rychel got 36 outings, three starts. His ERA was 4.70.
The next year, Rychel got his first look at AAA, a 10-game stint at AAA Calgary. He got another 11 appearances at Calgary in 1996, playing the rest of the season back at Carolina. It was his final season as a pro, his career ending short of the majors.
- Charleston News and Courier, June 9, 1990: Pirates power past Rainbows
More: The 1990 Augusta Pirates
Players/Coaches Featured:1,080
Made the Majors: 658 - 60.9%
Never Made Majors: 422-39.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 287
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 169
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