Monday 7/6/09 minor league updates

[OnBaseMachine]

Louisville - RHP Sam Lecure

Carolina - RHP Matt Klinker

Sarasota - RHP Luis Montano

Dayton - RHP Oscar Castro

Billings is off today.

The GCL Reds were off today.

The DSL Reds were postponed due to rain.

[GOYA]

Bats get one in the first. Some poor base running for Stubbs and Barker. Stubbs walked and was picked off as he was caught leaning. Barker singled to drive in McD but was tagged out after passing first on a heads up play by the Indy cut-off man.

Stubbs has been picked off a lot lately.

[OnBaseMachine]

Byron Wiley walked in his first PA.

[RedEye]

Byron Wiley walked in his first PA.

Is Byron Wiley considered to be much of a prospect? After that 3 HR game, I started to wonder...

[GOYA]

Barker double, Rosie HR

3-1 Bats

[OnBaseMachine]

Byron Wiley just hit another HR, his 4th in the last two days. He's 1-for-1 with a solo HR (#9) and a walk.

[GOYA]

Valaika is 2 for 2 with a double

[GOYA]

Stubbs picked off first AGAIN.

[GOYA]

McD again follows Stubbs' pickoff with a hit. This time a triple. He's 3 for 3.

[GOYA]

Heisey sac fly makes it 4-1 Bats

[OnBaseMachine]

Klinker so far: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K

[OnBaseMachine]

Wiley walks again. 1-for-1 with a HR and two walks.

[OnBaseMachine]

Valaika is 3-for-3 with a double. He's on fire.

[OnBaseMachine]

Klinker: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K

[GOYA]

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
LeCure 6.0 3 1 1 0 6 1 4.26

Pitches-strikes: LeCure 84-51 - 61%

[Grande Donkey]

Valaika's average is up to .223 now.

[OnBaseMachine]

Mesoraco is 2-for-2 with a double, sac fly, and 2 RBI.

[GOYA]

Barker (3 for 4) with a 2 RBI single.

7-1 Bats

[OnBaseMachine]

Byron Wiley just lined out to the warning track according to the announcer. The announcer thought it was gone off the bat.

[Kc61]

Valaika's average is up to .223 now.


And I thought the Reds had offensive problems.

Couldn't resist.

[OnBaseMachine]

Valaika draws a walk.

3-for-3 with a double and a walk.

[GOYA]

And I thought the Reds had offensive problems.

Couldn't resist.

He's hitting .483 over his last 10 games.

The Reds DO have offensive problems. Let's not talk about the pitching.

[GOYA]

9-1 Bats on Indy pitchers that can't throw strikes.

LeCure walks twice in the 7th.

The Bats have one hit in the inning and have scored 5. So far.

Loaded for Stubbs.

[GOYA]

Stubbs walks, 10-1 Bats

[GOYA]

McD walks, 11-1.

[GOYA]

Heisey walks, 12-1

10 walks in the inning

This is pitiful

[GOYA]

Barker has mercy and flies out to end the inning

This will be a good test for LeCure to come back after such a long inning.

[OnBaseMachine]

Stubbs is 0-for-1 with four walks.

[aubashbrother]

Thanks OBM and GOYA for the updates my computer has been messed up and haven't been able to watch the gamedays and listen to the games.

[GOYA]

My pleasure. LeCure has no problems.


Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
LeCure 7.0 4 1 1 0 7 1 4.21

Pettyjohn will relieve in the 8th

[Tony Cloninger]

Stubbs is going Mickey Tettleton tonight. Of course...it's the bad pitching but at least he sure knows what a ball is.

You think EE or WT would have swung at the first pitches after that many walks?

[OnBaseMachine]

Lecure: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K

[GOYA]

Behold the mighty Brian Peterson:

Carolina Bottom 8th

* Pitcher Change: Brian Schlitter replaces Jayson Ruhlman, batting 7th.
* Juan Francisco singles on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds.
* Todd Frazier flies out to center fielder James Adduci.
* Logan Parker singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Tyler Colvin. Juan Francisco to 2nd.
* Zack Cozart walks. Juan Francisco to 3rd. Logan Parker to 2nd.
* Jose Castro flies out to left fielder Doug Deeds.
* Coaching visit to mound.
* Pitcher Change: Jake Muyco replaces Brian Schlitter, batting 7th.
* Brian Peterson hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Juan Francisco scores. Logan Parker scores. Zack Cozart scores.
* Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Stephen Chapman replaces Jerry Gil.
* Stephen Chapman strikes out swinging.

[mace]

Francisco also has a 3-runner in that game.

[GOYA]

Francisco with a good night: 3 for 4 with a HR

Jose Castro 3 for 4
Logan Parker 2 for 3

Brian Peterson 2 for 4 with the slam

[GOYA]

Sarasota is in a good one, down 5-6 in the 8th

Mesoraco 3 for 3

[mace]

Dayton scores 3 in the top of the ninth to go up 4-2.

[OnBaseMachine]

Lecure: 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K

[GOYA]

Griffin with a pinch hit HR in the 9th

13-1

[GOYA]

Stubbs with his 5th walk tonight

[OnBaseMachine]

Stubbs is 0-for-1 with five walks. Wow.

[GOYA]

McDonald is 4 for 5 with a walk (.302)

[GOYA]

Heisey has his 2nd sac fly.

Stubbs scores.

[GOYA]

Sarasota lost 6-5

[GOYA]

Barker doubles. McD scores. 15-1

Barker 4 for 6 with two doubles (.253)

[OnBaseMachine]

Carolina won 8-1.

Cumberland: 2-for-4
Kainer: 1-for-4
Francisco: 3-for-4 HR (#14), 3 RBI
Frazier: 0-for-4
Parker: 2-for-3 walk
Cozart: 0-for-3 walk
Peterson: 2-for-4 grand slam (#1), 4 RBI

Klinker: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K

Gil: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Ondrusek: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Klinker has made two AA starts this season:

12 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 12 K, 1.50 ERA

[OnBaseMachine]

Sarasota lost 6-5.

Reed: 2-for-4 walk, SB
Sappelt: 1-for-3 walk
Soto: 0-for-4
Mesoraco: 3-for-3 double, sac fly, 2 RBI
Carlson: 2-for-4 double

Thurman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

[GOYA]

Player AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Stubbs CF 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 .279
McDonald RF 5 3 4 1 1 0 1 1 1 .302
Heisey LF 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 .294
Barker 1B 6 2 4 2 0 0 4 0 1 .253
Rosales 2B 5 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 .391
Bankston 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .246
Valaika SS 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 .221
Tatum C 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .229
Miller C 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 .143
LeCure P 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000
Griffin PH 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 .242

Viola on to work the 9th

[OnBaseMachine]

Dayton won 4-2.

Fellhauer: 1-for-5 SB
Rojas: 0-for-5
Wiley: 1-for-2 HR (#9), two walks...4 HR in last two games
Mendez: 1-for-4
Puckett: 0-for-1 walk, HBP
Day: 1-for-4
Feiner: 3-for-4

Castro: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Gaffney: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Gonzalez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

[GOYA]

Bats win 15-1


Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
LeCure 8.0 4 1 1 0 8 1 4.17
Viola 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.28

Lecure has 5 wins and a ND in his last 6 starts with a 1.77 ERA. 32 K - 9 BB

[RedEye]

Stubbs is 0-for-1 with five walks. Wow.

Looks like he's a believer in OBP.

[GIDP]

5 walks ha wow.

[mace]

Travis Wood notwithstanding, the hottest starting pitchers in the system at the moment look to be Lecure, Justin Lehr (in spite of a rough outing last night),Tyler Cline and Starlin Gerson. Travis Webb also has two nice starts in a row. Am I missing anyone?

[HokieRed]

Lecure is pitching himself into the rotation in Cincinnati.

[Benihana]

Lecure is pitching himself into the rotation in Cincinnati.

Maybe in these dire times. The problem with LeCure is that he's a poor man's, right-handed Matt Maloney. In other words, he may put up good numbers in AAA but it's doubtful that his stuff can translate to the big leagues. That said, there's no denying the last 5 or 6 outings he's had. I would LOVE to flip him to a team that believes in hot streak while it lasts, provided we could get something of value. He may not be the headliner, but with his recent performance he could make a useful part of a package to obtain a nice young bat.

[HokieRed]

Maybe in these dire times. The problem with LeCure is that he's a poor man's, right-handed Matt Maloney. In other words, he may put up good numbers in AAA but it's doubtful that his stuff can translate to the big leagues. That said, there's no denying the last 5 or 6 outings he's had. I would LOVE to flip him to a team that believes in hot streak while it lasts, provided we could get something of value. He may not be the headliner, but with his recent performance he could make a useful part of a package to obtain a nice young bat.


I don't know enough about his stuff to make these judgments. Enlighten me.

[dougdirt]

I don't know enough about his stuff to make these judgments. Enlighten me.

Think Matt Maloney from the right side in a slightly smaller body and less consistency.

[HokieRed]

Doesn't Lecure throw somewhat harder than Maloney?

[dougdirt]

Doesn't Lecure throw somewhat harder than Maloney?

No, he doesn't.

[HokieRed]

So, Doug, does Lecure project as a major league starter at all, as a reliever, or as neither at the next level?

[dougdirt]

So, Doug, does Lecure project as a major league starter at all, as a reliever, or as neither at the next level?

Reliever perhaps... he has never pitched out of the pen though, so I don't really know how his stuff would play out of there. Most guys play up, but you never really know until you see it. As a starter he can be a fringy #5 guy I would say. Very similar to Matt Maloney when he (Lecure) is on his game. He can get by some days but will likely be pounded others.

[Redmachine2003]

Just as impressive as Stubbs walks is Heisey going 0 for 2 with 3 rbis that is kind of hard to do

[OnBaseMachine]

Reliever perhaps... he has never pitched out of the pen though, so I don't really know how his stuff would play out of there. Most guys play up, but you never really know until you see it. As a starter he can be a fringy #5 guy I would say. Very similar to Matt Maloney when he (Lecure) is on his game. He can get by some days but will likely be pounded others.

I saw Lecure pitch out of the bullpen in a spring training game against the Phillies and he was throwing gas. I was shocked because I didn't know he could throw that hard. I'm guessing he was around 93-94. He could probably be a pretty good reliever if his fastball stays in that range.

[lollipopcurve]

I wouldn't underestimate guys like Maloney and Lecure -- they're capable of becoming solid BOR starters. Not saying they will, but they are fully developed AAA starters who are still prospect age. They've come all the way through the minors, both out of big college programs, and are now putting up excellent numbers. What this says is that they can adapt to better competition, with enough stuff, drive and intelligence to get better along the way. You cannot dismiss the possibility that they could make the next step.

The Reds need depth for the rotation -- all teams do. They should feel they can call on either of these guys (as well as Ramirez, I'd say) at any time, remembering that if one of them fails, there's another behind him. No need to go scurrying around for BOR solutions outside the organization at this point.

[Benihana]

I wouldn't underestimate guys like Maloney and Lecure -- they're capable of becoming solid BOR starters. Not saying they will, but they are fully developed AAA starters who are still prospect age. They've come all the way through the minors, both out of big college programs, and are now putting up excellent numbers. What this says is that they can adapt to better competition, with enough stuff, drive and intelligence to get better along the way. You cannot dismiss the possibility that they could make the next step.

The Reds need depth for the rotation -- all teams do. They should feel they can call on either of these guys (as well as Ramirez, I'd say) at any time, remembering that if one of them fails, there's another behind him. No need to go scurrying around for BOR solutions outside the organization at this point.

While I don't fully disagree here, you have to also remember that guys like Stewart, Wood, and eventually Leake are going to be knocking at the door soon enough as well. While it's always nice to have a Maloney/Ramirez/Lehr type ready to make a spot start or two at any given time, I would want the young super-prospects (once they're ready) to get first crack at really breaking into the rotation on a more permanent basis, not the guys that have #5 upsides.

While I agree that it's nice to have one or two guys for rotation depth, it becomes superfluous to have four or five of them, especially when you have real prospects with upside knocking on the door. Not to mention, they are going to take up rotation spots in Louisville that should be going to the young prospects.

While certainly none of the guys I mentioned are ready now, at least one or two of them will probably be knocking on the door by this time next season.

[lollipopcurve]

While I don't fully disagree here, you have to also remember that guys like Stewart, Wood, and eventually Leake are going to be knocking at the door soon enough as well. While it's always nice to have a Maloney/Ramirez/Lehr type ready to make a spot start or two at any given time, I would want the young super-prospects (once they're ready) to get first crack at really breaking into the rotation on a more permanent basis, not the guys that have #5 upsides.

While I agree that it's nice to have one or two guys for rotation depth, it becomes superfluous to have four or five of them, especially when you have real prospects with upside knocking on the door.

While certainly none of the guys I mentioned are ready now, at least one or two of them will probably be knocking on the door by this time next season.

Let's wait until this time next season to make that determination. Leake is pure speculation at this point -- I would make no assumptions about him. Wood is the closest in that he's got a starter's training -- but he's done nothing in AAA yet. Stewart has a ways to go to build up innings. He does have the best stuff of any of these guys,
but it's optimistic to think he's going to be ready to take on a regular turn in a big league rotation in the latter part of next year -- more likely they'll work him in through the pen. Down the road, yes -- if he stays healthy, he moves in front of Lecure and Maloney.

[Benihana]

Let's wait until this time next season to make that determination. Leake is pure speculation at this point -- I would make no assumptions about him. Wood is the closest in that he's got a starter's training -- but he's done nothing in AAA yet. Stewart has a ways to go to build up innings. He does have the best stuff of any of these guys,
but it's optimistic to think he's going to be ready to take on a regular turn in a big league rotation in the latter part of next year -- more likely they'll work him in through the pen. Down the road, yes -- if he stays healthy, he moves in front of Lecure and Maloney.

That's fair, but I would hope and assume that at least one of "The Big Three" will be performing at a level where the Reds would have to at least consider him for an extended tryout come this time next year. Unless the big league staff continues to get decimated by injuries (even worse than they are now,) I can't envision a situation where they'd have a need for (all of) Ramirez, Maloney, Lehr and LeCure. Obviously, in that scenario, the season would be lost regardless so it wouldn't really matter.

Nick Masset is another guy that could probably handle spot-starting duties if necessary. With the emergence of Herrera and possibly Viola and even Smit, it might also be interesting to try Bray out as a starter in Louisville when he comes back, provided he could ever stay healthy. Although admittedly, his health may preclude that from ever being a possibility.

[lollipopcurve]

Nick Masset is another guy that could probably handle spot-starting duties if necessary. With the emergence of Herrera and possibly Viola and even Smit, it might also be interesting to try Bray out as a starter in Louisville when he comes back, provided he could ever stay healthy. Although admittedly, his health may preclude that from ever being a possibility.

This is the kind of stuff I'd hope the organization would avoid. They've got the depth now -- no need to start changing guys' roles. Masset and Bray have shown they can be decent out of the pen -- especially Masset. No way would I force him back to starting, just as he's starting to show excellence for the 1st time at the major league level.

When you've got depth, it allows you to avoid desperation moves like that.

[GOYA]

Don't forget that LeCure is still developing. This is his first year in AAA and two months ago he was not doing very well. He might be at his ceiling and he might not have reached it yet.

Soon, it's going to be time to make a decision on some of the pitching at Louisville. Maloney, LeCure, Ramirez, Lehr, and to a lesser degree Jukich. There's already filler on the Bats roster that could be removed to make room for prospects. Pettyjohn and Kennard and maybe Baez. But I don't see many relievers ready to come up from Carolina except for Ondrusek. (Maybe Lutz) Stewart was a good fit because he moved to the pen. But Wood won't. If he came up now, he would take Jukich's spot. Jukich can do pretty well if he starts but has not done well at all out of the pen.

[Benihana]

Don't forget that LeCure is still developing. This is his first year in AAA and two months ago he was not doing very well. He might be at his ceiling and he might not have reached it yet.

Soon, it's going to be time to make a decision on some of the pitching at Louisville. Maloney, LeCure, Ramirez, Lehr, and to a lesser degree Jukich. There's already filler on the Bats roster that could be removed to make room for prospects. Pettyjohn and Kennard and maybe Baez. But I don't see many relievers ready to come up from Carolina except for Ondrusek. (Maybe Lutz) Stewart was a good fit because he moved to the pen. But Wood won't. If he came up now, he would take Jukich's spot. Jukich can do pretty well if he starts but has not done well at all out of the pen.

To me that is pretty simple: Wood replaces Jukich (they're both lefties, and Wood is 5+ years younger). Trade Jukich for whatever you can- even if it's the proverbial PTBNL/future considerations.

[OnBaseMachine]

Is Byron Wiley considered to be much of a prospect? After that 3 HR game, I started to wonder...

He is, IMO. Here is a post I made on Wiley back in late March:

I'm glad you mentioned Byron Wiley. I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs in Dayton this season. Baseball America rated him as the best athlete drafted by the Reds in 2008 and he was also rated as having the best strike-zone discipline among Big-12 hitters going into last year. I was looking at a couple scouting reports on him from Baseball America. They refer to him as a superior athlete with 5-tools. He's got above-average bat speed, a compact swing and can hit for power. He plays a nice center field, though his arm is below-average.

The reason he fell to the Reds in the 22nd round is because he struggled mightily in his senior year. BA said he got draftitis while trying to do too much to impress scouts. His stats show that. As a freshman at Kansas State he hit .297/.425/.483 - .908 in 145 atbats. As a sophomore he hit .366/.494/.526 -1.020 OPS in 194 atbats. This past year he dropped off to a lowly .639 OPS and fell to the Reds in the 22nd round. After signing, he went to Billings and hit .328/.427/.635 - 1.062 OPS and had 27 extra-base hits in 137 atbats.

He's got great tools and good plate discipline. I'm curious to see if he can carry his success into Dayton this season.

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1821011&postcount=39