Iowan Colin Rea called up by the San Diego Padres

Iowa native Colin Rea called his parents Saturday to let them know that he wouldn't be pitching during his originally-scheduled start for the El Paso Chihuahuas.

Instead, Rea is scheduled to take the hill on Tuesday for the San Diego Padres in his big-league debut against the Cincinnati Reds.

"He's trying to stay level, I think," his mom Bridget Rea said. "I think there were a few sniffles on the other end too."

The 25-year-old Rea was a 12th-round pick by the Padres in the 2011 draft. The right-hander pitched for Cascade High School, attended Northern Iowa for one season before moving on to St. Petersburg and then finishing at Indiana State.

Rea, who is in his fifth professional season, is having arguably his best season yet. He began the year in double-A where he compiled a 3-2 mark with a 1.08 ERA. He was then promoted to triple-A where he's gone 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA.

Rea was originally scheduled to take the hill for ElPaso Saturday night. He called his parents to let them know the big news.

"I just keep thinking somebody's going to say 'just kidding' or 'you really didn't get that phone call' or something," Bridget said. "I really don't know how to explain it."

The big stage is nothing new for Rea who retired the final two outs in the Futures Game at Great American Ball Park in July.

Despite his success, Rea has not forgotten his roots returning to Iowa every offseason to help his family farm.

"I think now that it's just starting to come together," Rea told the Register earlier this season. "It makes me feel like the stuff that I've done, the work that I've put in, it's starting to pay off. It's definitely not done for sure. There's still a long ways to go."