"And on the eighth day, God looked down on His planned paradise and said 'I need a caretaker.' So God made a farmer"
-Paul Harvey
"Pad-Reas"
Years ago, Colin Rea, son of Mike and Bridget Rea, dreamed of playing big league baseball. Playing baseball and other sports in pastures, parking lots, and sand lots around the Bernard/Cascade, IA area, he was slowly making his way towards that dream. After playing college baseball at the University of Northern Iowa, St. Petersburg Junior College, and Indiana State University, Colin was the 12th round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2011 first-year player draft. The 6 foot 5 inch starting pitcher is currently in his fourth season in the Padres organization. Each year he has progressed through the ranks of the organization. He made his professional debut in 2011 with the short season Eugene Emeralds in Eugene, OR. In 2012, he played for the Fort Wayne Tincaps in Fort Wayne, IN, the Low-A Padres affiliate, and had many highlights there including holding the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to one run over 7 innings in the only Tincap victory in the League Championship series.
After having his best year in 2014 with the Class A-Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm, Colin hopes to build off that experience and use it going forward. Colin bulstered a 3.88 ERA, with 118 k's vs just 37 bb. He ended 2014 on a very positive note going 5 innings, while giving up just 1 hit and striking out 9. There are just two more levels above where he plays now: Double-A San Antonio Missions and Triple-A affiliate El Paso Chihuahuas. After that, it's the major league San Diego Padres.

In the offseasons, Colin comes back and works with Rea Seed, helping with harvest and working on machinery. He also puts on small baseball camps for young ball players in the area. To learn more and follow Colin and the ride to "the show" click one of the following links:

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