Kennedy is catching on to full-time job with Q-C

Even after playing the role of the understudy the past two seasons, Bryan Kennedy had questions about adapting to a starting routine at catcher for the Quad-City River Bandits.

"I really didn’t know what would happen once I was out there every day," Kennedy said. "I wondered how I would react the next day after going 0-for-5, and I wondered how I would react the next day after going 3-for-3."

"I had a lot of things to prove to myself this season. This game is all about maintaining an even keel and being able to separate one at-bat from the last."

Kennedy figured he had to answer those questions himself.

"That’s the only way," he said. "I hadn’t been a position where I was playing every day as a professional, and I had to soak it up and learn from every opportunity I had."

He’s done that and more.

The only River Bandit selected by Midwest League managers to start in today’s 6:20 p.m. All-Star Game at West Michigan, Kennedy has found the day-to-day consistency he hoped to achieve.

He’s batting .309, third among Quad-City lineup regulars, and he shares the team lead with four home runs. He also leads the team in walks and is second on the club with 32 RBIs.

"I’ll never say I’m satisfied, but so far things are going OK," Kennedy said.

River Bandits manager Jeff Carter appreciates Kennedy’s work ethic.

"He sets a good example with the way he works every day," Carter said. "He comes out to the park ready to work, and when he’s a guy who wants to play every chance he gets. He’s eager, and I like that."

Kennedy will be joined by teammates Seth Davidson and Pat Neshek on the East team in tonight’s All-Star event at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Among the opposition will be Clinton outfielder Juan Senreiso, who will start for the West. LumberKings pitchers Kameron Loe and Cesar Herrera also are part of the West roster.

Herrera has replaced recently promoted teammate Erik Thompson on the West roster.

Kennedy, a 24th-round selection of the Twins in the 2001 draft from Long Beach State, hit .200 while backing up second-round pick Rob Bowen for the River Bandits two years ago.

Last season, he batted .279 while spending time behind first-round choice Joe Mauer.

"I learned a lot watching them work," he said.

They aren’t the only ones who have taught Kennedy about the game.

His brother, Adam, plays second base for the Anaheim Angels, and he offered some advice as well.

"I never had to deal with the day-to-day situation of coming to the yard with a clean slate," Kennedy said. "I talked with my brother a lot about that, how not to get too high or too low because of what was going on.

"He advised me that it’s a pretty good idea not to get too content about the way things are going, because the game has a way of humbling you over time. I can appreciate that."

He also appreciates having somebody to talk to about the game whenever he needs it.

"He’s been through the situation I’m in. He’s played low-A ball before and being able to talk about that helps," Kennedy said.

"We don’t always talk baseball, but we did work out together in the offseason, and it’s great to have somebody to bounce ideas off from time to time. It’s helped me have the kind of start I’ve had."

While some players see the Midwest League’s three-day all-star break as a chance to get away, Kennedy doesn’t mind taking part in a working vacation.

"I want to be out there every day. To be an all-star means I must be doing something right," Kennedy said. "Going up there is just another chance to show that."