Former Chaffey player pitching in Burlington

Alex Caldera is just a year removed from Chaffey College where he garnered Foothill Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. Now he is working his way up the minor league ladder.

Caldera, 22, is spending his first full minor league season with the Kansas City Royals Low-A affiliate in Burlington (Iowa) of the Midwest League. Overall he has turned in a solid performance. In 11 starts he is 3-4 with a 3.60 ERA that includes 17 walks, 68 hits and 26 earned runs allowed with 60 strikeouts in 65 innings.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander had his best game and worst game all in the same week. He was masterful in a win over Quad Cities, a Cardinals affiliate, pitching seven scoreless innings in which he allowed just two hits.

Then Monday he gave up 14 hits and nine earned runs in four-plus innings against the Clinton Lumberkings, a Rangers affiliate. He isn't the first to have a bad game against that foe. The Lumberkings boast a 39-14 overall record, best in all the minor leagues so far this season.

After being drafted last year Caldera went to the Royals rookie-level affiliate of the Appalachian League. So he is holding his own after a significant jump. If Caldera keeps with the strong showing, the next logical step would be to the High-A affiliate at Wilmington of the Carolina League.