Jose Acevedo pitched 5 2/3 innings Sunday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Jose Acevedo was nervous last summer before his first major-league start. This season, he can't wait.

        “I feel really comfortable,” Acevedo said after pitching 5 2/3 innings Sunday against the Cleveland Indians. “I feel strong, ready to go.”

        Acevedo was one of three pitchers who made their debuts with the Reds as a starter last season after skipping over Triple-A. He went 5-7 with a 5.44 ERA.

        The year has made a difference. Acevedo knows more about the batters he's facing — he's seen a lot of them before — all he knew of players last year came from scouting reports.

        He also knows what pitches they like, and what pitches to throw. Just as important, he knows what he can do.

        “He got a taste of what it's all about,” pitching coach Don Gullett said. “He realizes what he's got to do to be successful. And he's been working hard at it.”

        Acevedo, who spent four years in Single-A after being drafted by the Reds out of the Dominican Republic in 1996, is 0-1 in spring training.

        Gullett said the challenge for young pitchers is the decreasing window of opportunity allowed for mistakes. Pitching, he said, is all about changing speeds and putting the ball where you want it.

        Sounds simple, but it's not. Especially when there's someone trying to smash the pitch over the outfield wall.

        "In lower-level ball, they get away with it (mistakes),” Gullett said. “But at the Major League level, they're so much better hitters, when you make mistakes you usually don't get them back. That is a hard learning experience.”

        It is, but the pitchers who learn to minimize mistakes become successful.

        Acevedo is trying to become that type of pitcher. Against Cleveland, he allowed three hits and two runs in the first before settling down.

        The Reds lost 5-0.

        “Everybody makes mistakes,” he said. “But if you keep working hard, you'll keep getting better.”

        Acevedo, Chris Reitsma (7-15), Brian Reith (0-7) and Lance Davis (8-4) all debuted as a starter with the Reds last season.

        Acevedo is expected to be among the 11 or 12 pitchers the Reds take up north.

        "It's never going to be easy,” he said. “You have to keep working hard, and keep your mind in the game.”

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