Peoria, Ariz. – Kevin Kouzmanoff has a locker in the San Diego Padres’ clubhouse because he can’t take a hint.
Dreams overpowered logic. It made a kid from Evergreen think he could play college ball, despite finishing his prep career on one of the state’s worst teams. It led him to three schools, including a daring walk-on experiment at Nevada his senior season.
And if his bat makes expected noise this spring, it will give a state reason to be proud. Kouzmanoff is the favorite to start at third base for the Padres, joining teammate Josh Bard as the only two current major-league position players from Colorado.
“It is something you take pride in,” Kouzmanoff said.
Kouzmanoff, 25, was born in Newport Beach, Calif., but his family moved to Evergreen when he was in seventh grade. It is Kouzmanoff’s home base – “I live with my parents (Marc and Kim) for a few months a year because financially it still makes sense” – the lone constant in a journey as interesting as incredulous.
He recalls winning one game in his senior year of high school, against Conifer. He began his college career at Cochise in the remote outpost of Douglas, Ariz. He transferred to Arkansas-Little Rock, then switched to Nevada when a coach attempted to change his swing.
If there’s one thing Kouzmanoff knows, it’s how to hit.
That skill motivated Padres general manager Kevin Towers to make a bold move in November. He shipped off popular second baseman Josh Barfield to Cleveland for Kouzmanoff, whose path was blocked by super prospect Andy Marte.
In Kouzmanoff, the Padres see muscle at a position that hasn’t featured power since Phil Nevin’s 41-home run season in 2001. Towers compared Kouzmanoff to Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay.
“At every level, he’s put up numbers,” Towers said. “He profiles well as a right-handed pull hitter in our ballpark.”
First, Kouzmanoff has to win the job – he is competing against Russell Branyan, and, to a lesser extent, Todd Walker. Then he has to win over angry Padres fans, upset over losing Barfield.
“It’s not my fault, you know what I mean? It wasn’t my idea even though it was a great career move,” Kouzmanoff said. “I know Barfield from playing with him. He’s an awesome guy, so I can understand why people are unhappy. Hopefully I can fill his shoes.”
Kouzmanoff batted .332 in the minors with a .395 on-base percentage. He became the only big-leaguer to hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw, smashing an Edinson Volquez fastball over the center-field fence in Texas on Sept. 2. That he made it look so easy didn’t shock Bard, who got to know Kouzmanoff when both were with the Indians organization.
“His steadiness always impressed me. He was called over during spring training for some major-league games and was never scared,” Bard said. “He had some great at-bats against some quality pitchers.”
While Kouzmanoff should hit, his glove may dictate how long he remains in the lineup. Fighting the same rap that once dogged Garrett Atkins, Kouzmanoff is viewed more as a first baseman.
“I have a lot of respect for how Cleveland evaluates talent, and if they felt he was a bad third baseman they would have moved him,” Towers said. “I am not expecting him to win the Gold Glove. He just needs reps. We would like to see him win this job.”
Preparation was challenging this winter in Colorado because of the relentless winter. Kouzmanoff worked out at an indoor facility in Westminster.
“You don’t hear about (position) players from Colorado making it,” Kouzmanoff said. “This is my chance and I know nothing will be given to me.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
