Rasner set for all-star game

Darrell Rasner hopes that tonight's Florida State All-Star baseball game is the start of bigger and better things.

Rasner, a 1999 Carson High graduate, will represent the Brevard County Manatees and the East squad against the West. The right-handed throwing Rasner is one of 10 pitchers selected for the game which is being played in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"It's a huge honor, and I'm excited to be a part of it," said Rasner in a phone interview from Florida. "It's an honor to have this opportunity. Everybody is probably going to throw an inning I think."

And, however long Rasner gets to throw, he hopes it will jump-start him to success in the second half.

After a 2-1 start, Rasner has fallen on tough times, dropping his last four decisions. In that span, the third-year pro has allowed 34 hits and 17 runs in 18 2/3 innings. Many pitchers might panic, but Rasner has stayed composed.

"The last couple of games I've struggled a bit," Rasner said. "Things aren't going my way right now, and sometimes that happens," he said. "I've had a little bit of bad luck. I know it will equal out sooner or later.

"I'm learning how to pitch more, and not just throwing the ball hard. In college, you could set guys up. At this level, they are more free-swinging. Everybody swings at everything. You have to take a step back. You have to throw your pitch and just get them out."

Rasner is just missing spots, and part of it is the umpiring. As you go through the minors, strike zones become tighter and tighter, and Rasner is aware of that.

"It is a little tighter," he said. "They want hitters to be able to swing the bat."

Brent Strom, the Montreal Expos' roving pitching coordinator, believes that Rasner needs to be more aggressive, especially with his fastball.

"He's trying to be too fine," Strom said. "We're a fastball organization. Sometimes he cuts it off and doesn't get the extension he needs. He needs to throw the fastball through the zone and trust his stuff. The umpires are being schooled to do that (tight strike zones). The zones are tight, but he's still pitching against A-ball hitters.

"He has tremendous work ethic, and he's going to be successful. We're still high on Darrell. He's a very mature young man. When he shows better command of his fastball and pitches through the zone, he'll move up. I fully expect him to be more dominating in the second half."

And, if he can regain his form from early in the season, Rasner hopes he could move up to Double A before the season is over.

"I think I'm about where I should be," Rasner said. 'Obviously I'd like to be a little higher. I'd like to be in Double A. Hopefully I'll get going and put some good starts together. That's my goal.

"I think I stand pretty good in their eyes. I don't know how quick or how far they are going to move me. That (making all-star team) helps out. It can't hurt."

If Rasner can bottle some of that magic and success he enjoyed his freshman year at University of Nevada, he may get his wish.

The 23-year-old Rasner, a four-year varsity players for Ron McNutt at Carson, burst onto the college scene in impressive fashion, posting a 14-2 record and leading the Wolf Pack into regional play. He holds the school record for wins with 28 in three seasons.

"I didn't expect to start, just to get some innings like most freshmen," Rasner said. "I was thankful for the opportunity. I was the Sunday guy from the get-go, and I just went from there. The whole experience was unbelievable. I enjoyed playing for coach (Gary) Powers and coach (Stan) Stulte.

"The team we had that first year was amazing. That team was something. Everybody played together. All the guys were pointing to the same thing. Absolutely, I had great run support, and it was a good defensive team, too."

Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281.