Minor-League Player of the Day (2014)

[texasdave]

Hitting Performance of the Month: Donald Lutz, April 21 . . . 5-6, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI. Remarkably, it was the third cycle of the big fellow’s career.

I am hearing from my sources, that he runs well for a big man.

[mace]

Following are the slash lines for the outfielders whom the Reds' farms are currently playing without:

Donald Lutz (Pensacola): .370/.418/.726/1.144

Yorman Rodriguez (Pensacola): .325/.361/.442/.803

Jesse Winker (Bakersfield): .333/.413/.551/.964

Junior Arias (Bakersfield): .394/.459/.606/1.066 (also 8 SB. only 8 G.)

Sebastian Elizalde (Dayton): .311/.475/.527/1.002

Ouch.

[texasdave]

Thursday, May1: Josh Smith, Louisville...The righthander out of Lipscomb College in Tennessee earns the Player of the Day award for his performance on the Thursday. He was selected in the 21st round of the 2010 MLB Player Draft. Twice Smith struck out 15 batters in a game in college. Josh has been solid numbers every step of the way as a Reds' farmhand. Yesterday's line: 7.0IP 2H 1R 1ER 4BB 5. He picked up the win to run his record to 5-0. His ERA fell to 2.20

Ryan Dennick (Louisville) continues to pitch well out of the bullpen since his promotion from Pensacola. His one-inning, shutout game yesterday lowered his Bats' ERA to 0.73.

Jumbo Diaz (Louisville)...If not for roster considerations, Jumbo might well be pitching in the Queen City. He picked up his 7th save on the year yesterday, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth while striking out one. He has yet to allow an earned run this season.

Jason Bourgeois (Louisville) garnered two of the three Louisville hits. He singled, doubled, scored a run and drove one in.

Timothy Adleman (Pensacola) pitched a scoreless inning and a third. He struck out three. ERA is 1.80.

Justin Freeman (Pensacola) made his 2014 debut. Freeman saw some time with the big club in 2013 before being injured. He worked a perfect inning yesterday.

Rossmel Perez (Pensacola) received serious consideration for POTD. Rossmel slapped out four hits in five trips to the plate. He singled three times and tripled. The Venezuelan is 24 years old and was signed out of the Diamondbacks organization this past winter.

Mike Dennhardt (Bakersfield) threw a fine game out in California on Thursday. It was just a touch below the start of Josh Smith. 6.0IP 3H 1R 1ER 4BB 3K.

Layne Somsen (Bakersfield) was recently promoted from Dayton and made just his second appearance for the Wahoos. He hurled two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out a batter.

Carlos Gonzalez (Bakersfield) is having a strong season to date. His scoreless work in the ninth inning kept his ERA spotless and earned him save number 7.

Juan (Hi-Ho) Silva (Bakersfield) hit his second homer of the season and the second in as many nights. The three-run shot accounted for all of the Blaze runs. He also drew a walk. Silva has 17 RBI on the season.

Seth Mejias-Brean went 2-3 on the night. The two singles pushed him right up to the .300 mark. His average stands just under at .298.

Daniel Wright (Dayton) turned in another solid starting effort. 5.0IP 4H 2R 2ER 3BB 7K. His ERA stands at 2.08.

Scott Brattvet (Dayton) threw a scoreless inning. The Dayton closer's ERA is 0.79.

Jeff Gelalich (Dayton) has responded well since being inserted into the leadoff spot following Beau Amaral's promotion. Gelalich was ice cold to start the season, but in his last five games he is hitting .429.

Tanner Rahier (Dayton) reached base four times - two singles and two bases on balls. He scored a run and plated one as well.

Jamodrick McGruder (Dayton) yanked his first home run of the season. He also walked, score twice and drove in a run.

Random Notes:
Louisville - Josh Smith's two-hit effort came against the Rochester Redwings, the team with the highest batting average in the I.L.
- Scott Schumaker's rehab effort seems to be going well. First of all, he managed to not get himself ejected from the game. Secondly, he doubled home a run. Last of all, he got work in at both second base and left field.

Pensacola - Earlier in the week, Pensacola received over 15 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Last night, Juan Silverio walked twice in one game. Folks will be debating for years over which event was the more unlikely.
- The Blue Fish stranded 15 runners. Ouch.

Bakersfield - Superfluous J triggered the three-run Blaze rally which provided all the runs they would need on the night. He lasered an infield single to start things off. Superfluous then stole second, which so unnerved the Stockton that a wild pitch, a walk and a three-run jack followed in short order. After that awe-inspiring display a new tradition was started in Bakersfield's home park. All the fans on the third base side will stand and scream 'Superfluous'. The fans on the first base side will then stand and answer loudly 'J'. I think there is a video on YouTube. Expect chills.

Dayton - Aroldis Chapman made his first rehab appearance and broke the radar gun with a 101 MPH pitch. He worked a perfect inning, striking out two.
- Sebastian Elizalde was placed on the DL. Avain Rachal has been added to the roster.

[marcshoe]

Would it be picky to point out that it's Lipscomb University, not Lipscomb College (at least according to my diploma)?



Go Bisons!

Seriously, great job on these.

[dougdirt]

Would it be picky to point out that it's Lipscomb University, not Lipscomb College (at least according to my diploma)?



Go Bisons!

Seriously, great job on these.

Ok, which one of you has a fake diploma from Lipscomb?

[texasdave]

Would it be picky to point out that it's Lipscomb University, not Lipscomb College (at least according to my diploma)?



Go Bisons!

Seriously, great job on these.

I was too lazy to look it up and flipped a coin. My bad.

[mace]

Friday, May 2: Jon Moscot, Pensacola . . . 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. In a stunning accomplishment, Moscot has now edged out Ben Lively two starts in a row. The polished righthander's ERA stands at 1.93. How long before we see Moscot on the Ohio?

Also notable . . .

Ben Lively (Bakersfield): 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K. He was doing his usual thing until the crashing sky brought two runs in the seventh, ballooning his ERA all the way up to 0.76.

Kyle Waldrop: 3-5, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI. Back at .400, amidst rumors that Ted Williams has been thawed.

Ryan Wright: 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI. His strong season has progressed quietly under the thunder of the Bakersfield bats.

Juan Perez: 3-4, 2B, R, RBI. The middle infielder sits at .297.

Marquez Smith: 2B, 2 RBI.

Zach Vincej:1-3, 2B, BB, R.

Carlos Gonzalez: .2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, Sv (8). ERA 0.00.

Donald Lutz (Pensacola): 2-2, BB, 2 RBI. Returning after a week nursing a hamstring, Lutz raised his average to a luzty .387. Anybody know why he was removed for a pinch-hitter in the seventh?

Rey Navarro: 3-4, 2 2B, BB, R, RBI.

Jamie Walczak: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Sv (2).

Elvin Ramirez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Never heard of him before last night.

Jason Bourgeois (Louisville): 2-4, 2B, R.

Skip Schumaker: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI. Looking about ready.

Julio Morillo (Dayton): 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI.

Daniel Mateo: 3-5, 2B, 2 R.

Jamodrick McGruder: 3-6, 3B, 2 RBI.

Phil Ervin: 2-4, 2B, BB, 2 R.

Carlton Daal: 2-4, BB, 2 RBI.

Sal Romano: 6 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 9 K.

[lollipopcurve]

Saturday, May 3: Michael Lorenzen, Blue Wahoo . . . 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K. 9/3 GB|FB over 81 pitches. Displaying impressive consistency for a guy who has never taken regular turns in a starting rotation, Lorenzen has gone at least 5 IP in each start and has never allowed more than 2 runs. His ERA is 1.82 and his GB/FB ratio is over 2. There's a lot of talk about Stephenson and Lively, but what Lorenzen is doing at the AA level belongs in that conversation.

Also notable . . .

Chien-Ming Wang, Bat: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. 9/3 GB|FB over 99 pitches. Nosed at the wire by Lorenzen. Second straight strong outing for the Taiwanese righthander.

Bryan Anderson, Blue Wahoo: 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB. Still OPsing over 1.000.

Steve Selsky, Blue Wahoo: 1-3, 2B, R, BB, outfield assist at home.

Ray Chang, Blue Wahoo: 2-4

Brooks Pinckard, Blue Wahoo: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K, HBP.

Shane Dyer, Blue Wahoo: 1 IP, zeros, Save (2). 3 GB outs for the converted starter. ERA now 0.77.

Juan Silva, Blaze: 2-5, 2 R, RBI.

Ryan Wright, Blaze:2-5, R, RBI.

Seth Mejias-Brean, Blaze: 2-4, R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI.

Jon Matthews, Blaze: 2-4, R, 2B, SB (6). Making the most of a little playing time, now at .382.

Wandy Peralta, Blaze: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

Jake Johnson, Blaze: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.

Kyle McMyne, Blaze: 1 IP, K, Save (1)

Jamodrick McGruder, Dragon: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, SB (3), HBP. Atop the Dragons order now.

Tanner Rahier, Dragon: 2-3, 2 R, BB, 2B (7), HR (3), RBI. The 20-year-old continues to flash good RH power.

Phil Ervin, Dragon: 0-5, SB (10).

Carlton Daal, Dragon: 2-4, R, RBI. The other 20-year-old on the left side of the Dayton INF keeps his average above .300.

Aroldis Chapman, Dragon: 1 IP 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K, pickoff. Watch this guy pitch -- he is a dragon.

[mace]

Sunday, May 4: Zach Weiss, Dayton . . . 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Let's give it up for the bullpen. Weiss, a sixth-rounder last year out of UCLA, relieved Amir Garrett in the fifth inning with the Dragons up 5-4, one out, runners on second and third. When he completed the eighth, it was still 5-4. On the season, the righthander rocks a 1.37 ERA, with 20 K in 19.2 IP. He's given up runs in only one of his nine appearances.

Also notable . . .

Marquez Smith (Bakersfield): 3-6, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. His second double drove in Waldrop with the eventual game-winner in the top of the ninth. The Blaze are 23-8.

Ryan Wright: 3-6, R. Up to .302. Seems like more.

Kyle Waldrop: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB (5).

Chris Berset: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI. What's not to like about a heady catcher hitting .310 with a .403 OBP?

Zach Vincej: 2-4, BB, 2 RBI. The J is making hay.

Carlos Gonzalez: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Blew the save in the eighth. Blew away Modesto in the ninth.

Bryan Anderson (Pensacola): 3-4, 3B, BB, 3 RBI. And speaking of catchers with high averages and OBP . . . .343./.432. Anderson, 27 and a left-handed hitter, has major-league experience.

Brodie Greene: 3-6, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI. Apparently not an infielder anymore.

Devin Lohman: 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 R, RBI.

Juan Silverio: 2-5, 2 R, RBI.

Rey Navarro: 1-3, BB, 2 R, RBI.

Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K. It was the first start of the season for the 24-year-old righty. He started 50 games over the past two years in the Yankee organization, mostly at the AA level.

Fabian Williamson: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

Justin Freeman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. His second appearance after a long injury absence.

Carlton Daal (Dayton): 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Batting a handsome .323. Best SS prospect in the organization?

Daniel Mateo: 1-2, 2 BB, R.

Alejandro Chacin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, Sv (2). ERA 0.61, with 21 K in 14.2 IP. In his fifth season, and has never had a bad one.

Ruben Gotay (Louisville): 2-5, HR (6), 2 R.

Mike Costanzo: 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI.

Felix Perez: 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI.

Sharky: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. Coming around nicely after a very shaky start to the season.

Adam Russell: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. The Reds debut for the 6-8, 280-pound righthander from Ohio U, who has been instructed not to sit on the same side of the bullpen bench as Jumbo Diaz. Recently signed after being released by Arizona in March, Russell, at 31, has (parts of) four years of major-league experience.

[mace]

Too late to edit the above, but for the record it's Zack Weiss, not Zach, even though his real name is Zachary, not Zackary. He has Cozart disease.

[Benihana]

Carlton Daal (Dayton): 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Batting a handsome .323. Only SS prospect in the organization

Fixed that for you.


(With all due respect to Superfluous J)

[dougdirt]

Fixed that for you.


(With all due respect to Superfluous J)

Nah, he isn't the only one. There are some young kids at shortstop that just aren't playing yet because rookie ball hasn't started. I am also not sure I am ready to write off Rey Navarro either. Not a sexy pick exactly, but in a league where Cozart's bat (last year) was not close to the worst among starters, it isn't worth writing him out just yet either.

[mace]

Monday, May 5: Dan Langfield, Dayton: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Technically, it wasn't the best pitching performance on the day, or on his team, for that matter (Travieso). Or even the best relief effort on the farms (Somsen). But in terms of impact and significance, this was big-time. To wit, it was Langfield's first appearance after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury. This is a guy who, as a third-round rookie in 2012, struck out 54 in 37 innings. Welcome back, Dan Langfield.

Also notable . . .

Nick Travieso (Dayton): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. As well as he has pitched (1.32), folks have been looking for an uptick in the K totals. This will suffice.

Evan Mitchell: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Scott Brattvet: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Sv (5).

Tanner Rahier: HR (4).

Phil Ervin: 3B, R. Last year's first-rounder (RZ prospect #3) is still dragging along at .195.

Juan Silverio (Pensacola): 3-4, HR (4), 2B, BB, 2 R, 3 RBI. Hitter of the day, at the least. With 7 walks, Silverio needs only 5 more to eclipse last year's total.

Rossmel Perez: 2-3, 2 RBI. The catcher's left-handed bat made an impression in spring training, and it continues to do so (.308). Batted cleanup for the Blue Wahoos.

Beau Amaral: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Stock is rising.

Steve Selsky: 1-2, 2 BB, R. Seems kind of like a right-handed Danny Dorn.

Rey Navarro: 1-3, BB, R, RBI.

Daniel Corcino: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 2 K.

Shane Dyer: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Sv (3). ERA 0.71.

Layne Somsen (Bakersfield): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. Putting himself on the radar.

Kyle McMyne: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Sv (2). Actually saved a perfect night on the farms.

Juan Silva: 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI.

Kyle Waldrop: HR (4), 2 RBI.

Marquez Smith: 2-4, RBI.

Zach Vincej: 2B, R, RBI. Batted out of the 2-hole.

John Tolisano: 1-2, 2 BB, R.

Nick Benedetto: 2B, R.

Ruben Gotay (Louisville): 2-5, HR (7), 5 RBI. Leads the organization in HR.

Corky: 2-4, 2B, R.

Argenis Diaz: 2-3, 2 R, RBI.

Mike Wilson: HR (3), BB, 2 R.

Thomas Neal: 2B, 2 RBI.

Jeff Francis: 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. ERA 2.91.

[mace]

Tuesday, May 6: David Vidal, Bakersfield . . . 4-4, 3 2B, BB, R, 5 RBI. Well, this was interesting. Not only was it Vidal's first game of the season, but his first professional game ever as a catcher. In his previous life, he was a fine-fielding third baseman who hit well until dropping off sharply the last two years. Maybe this marks a rejuvenation of an erstwhile decent prospect.

Also notable . . .

Ryan Wright (Bakersfield): 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R. The second sacker from U of L (RZ prospect #51) is up to .321.

Juan Silva: 2-4, 3B.

Seth Mejias-Brean: 2-4, BB, 3 R, RBI.

John Tolisano: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI.

Jacob Johnson: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

Carlos Gonzalez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

Daniel Wright (Dayton): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. ERA 1.67. Good day for the Wright brothers.

Joel Bender: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Ryan Kemp: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Alejandro Chacin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Sv (3). Finished off the 4-pitcher, 1-0 shutout.

Joe Hudson: 2B, R. Caught the 4-pitcher, 1-0 shutout.

Carlton Daal: 1-3, RBI. The tall, skinny SS (RZ #56) is hitting .324.

Rossmel Perez (Pensacola): 3-4, R. The squatty (5-9, 200), 24-year-old, left-handed hitting catcher, hailing from Venezuela and batting cleanup for the Wahoos, checks in now at .349.

Juan Silverio: 2-4, R. The Silverio Slugger stands at .326.

Devin Lohman: 2-4, 2B, RBI. Evidently, the former third-rounder, now 25, is not entirely satisfied with being the Lohman on the totem pole.

Ray Chang: 1-2, 2B.

Chris Berset: 1-1, R. It was the former Wolverine's AA debut. His was the spot that Vidal assumed in Bakersfield, where the switch-hitting catcher put up a slash line of .310/.403/.500/.903.

Robert Stephenson: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K. The top prospect's line was salvaged by the runs being unearned. And, of course, the strikeouts.

Drew Hayes: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 B, 0 BB, 3 K.

Ruben Gotay (Louisville): 2-4, 2B, R, RBI. The infielder has become the Bats' standing delegate to the MiLPOD list.

Felix Perez: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI.

Lee Hyde: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

Adam Russell: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Early returns are good on the great big Bobcat.

[OGB]

If anyone could fill in tomorrow I would appreciate it.