Minor-League Player of the Day (2016)

[RedlegJake]

Monday April 25th – Phillip Ervin, CF, Pensacola. Erving had a double, homer, walk, 3 runs, 2 RBI and a stolen base for the bluefish. It wasn't an easy call on a night with some great lines but Erving's game was well rounded plus he manned a premiere position.


Another affiliate sweep on a day with just 2 games, Louisville and Pensacola. There were several top notch performances and on many other nights any of these guys could have won POD honors. Jermaine Curtis still scorching with a 2 for 3 game plus a walk and a steal, Phil Ervin was matched blow for blow by Sebastian Elizalde who doubled, homered and also notched 4 RBIs picking up anyone put on in front of him. Tim Adleman had a stellar night for the Bats twirling a 3 hit 7 K masterpiece whilst heralded lefty Amir Garrett spun a 2 hit 6.2 inning gem, fanning 9. On a hopeful note, both Blandino and Jagielo got a hit and a walk. Be nice to see them heat up.

Jose Peraza SS	Bats	1 for 5, 2 runs, double
Jermaine Curtis DH	Bats	2 for 3, walk, run, 2 RBI, SF, SB (now .459)
Steve Selsky LF	Bats	3 for 4, walk, double, RBI
Bryson Smith CF	Bats	2 for 5, SB
Seth Mejias-Brean 3B	Bats	2 for 5
Kyle Waldrop RF	Bats	1 for 3, solo homer, walk
Tony Renda LF	Wahoos	1 for 5, run, 2 RBI, homer
Phillip Ervin CF	Wahoos	2 for 3, walk, double, homer, 3 runs, 2 RBI, SB
Sebastian Elizalde RF	Wahoos	2 for 3, run, double, homer, 4 RBI, SF
Calten Daal SS	Wahoos	2 for 4, run
Pitchers
Timothy Adleman RHP	Bats	7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks
Tim Melville RHP	Bats	1 IP, 1 BB, zeros
Amir Garrett LHP	Wahoos	6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 Ks

[Tom Servo]

Games of Tuesday April 26th

On a night with a number of very good performances, the title has to go to:

Franderlyn Romero, Dayton: 7.2 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 12 strikeouts. A dominating performance from the Venezuelan righty who has rebounded from two shaky starts to begin the year with consecutive 7 inning gems.


Honorable Mentions:

Jesse Winker, Louisville: 2-4, 2B, HR, BB, 4 RBI. Rumors of the Winkman's power outage have been greatly exaggerated.

Shed Long, Dayton: 2-3, 2B, HR, BB, 2 RBI. Mainly playing 2B this season, the 20-year-old from Alabama is rolling like tide.


In other action:

Jose Peraza, Louisville: 2-4, SB

Juan Perez, Louisville: 1-4, 2B, BB

Jermaine Curtis, Louisville: 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI. That Jermaine Curtis is so hot right now.

Cody Reed, Louisville: 5 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, 1 earned run. A solid outing from Mr. Reed, though not the most efficient at 99 pitches.

Stephen Johnson, Louisville: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 1 run.

Sharky Rogers, Louisville: 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs. The Shark has yet to allow a run this season.


Beau Amaral, Pensacola: 2-4, 1 RBI.

Phillip Ervin, Pensacola: 1-4, 2B

Sebastian Elizalde, Pensacola: 1-4, RBI

Brandon Dixon, Pensacola: 2-4

Joe Hudson, Pensacola: 2-4, 2B, RBI

Nick Routt, Pensacola: 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 0 runs. The lefty keeps impressing.

Daniel Wright, Pensacola: 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 0 runs. Back to the bullpen my boy goes despite two excellent starts. Such is life in a pitching-rich environment.

Carlos Gonzalez, Pensacola: 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 0 runs


Jeff Gelalich, Daytona: 1-1, 3 BB, RBI

Brian O'Grady, Daytona: 1-3, HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI

Angelo Gumbs, Daytona: 0-4. Is the Revolution over?

Taylor Sparks, Daytona: 2-4, HR, RBI. Some signs of life from the slugger with his 1st HR of the season.

Blake Butler, Daytona: 2-4, 2B

Jonathan Reynoso, Daytona: 1-4, RBI

Wyatt Strahan, Daytona: 6 innings, 8 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 2 earned runs.

Jimmy Herget, Daytona: 1 innings, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 0 runs.


Brantley Bell, Dayton: 3-4, RBI

James Vasquez, Dayton: 0-2, 2 BB

Ed Charlton, Dayton: 2-5, 2B, RBI

Jeremy Kivel, Dayton: 1 inning, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, 1 earned run. Not pretty, but enough to pick up the save.

[mace]

Games of Wednesday, April 27

Aristides Aquino, Daytona . . . 2-2, 2 BB, 2 HR (2). I'm not too keen on choosing a guy who was party to a 14-2 defeat, but there weren't a lot of options on this underwhelming day. Besides, it was good to see the 22-year-old outfielder, once a favored prospect, break out from what was a .159 season. And to see him walk a couple times to boot, giving him 7 of those in 19 games, a major improvement (so far) over last year's 13 in 74.

Honorable mention -- John Lamb, Louisville: 8 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K. The lefty rehabber (back surgery) threw 104 pitches, and better yet, 79 strikes. (Doug has more info on Lamb's start here . . . http://redsminorleagues.com/2016/04/...n-lamb-strong/)

Also notable on a day in which Jay Bruce posted pictures of his baby and Layne Somsen once again did not pitch for the big club . . .

Ramon Cabrera, Louisville: 3-4, R, RBI.

A.J. Morris, Louisville: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Delivered 9 strikes in 10 pitches.

Kyle Waldrop, Louisville: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI. Doing a bit of thumping lately.

Brandon Allen, Louisville: 1-3, 2B, BB, R, RBI.

Hernan Iribarren, Louisville: 2-5, 2B, R.

Ariel Hernandez, Dayton: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Walks some guys; but then again, the stuffy righthander has struck out 13 in 11.1 innings and given up only 3 hits.

Hector Vargas, Dayton: 2-4.

Narciso Crook, Dayton: 1-4, 2B.

Angelo Gumbs, Daytona: 2-4.

Nick Howard, Daytona: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Hopefully, this is not a blind-squirrel-and-acorn kind of thing.

[Tom Servo]

Honorable mention -- John Lamb, Louisville: 8 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K. The lefty rehabber (back surgery) threw 104 pitches, and better yet, 79 strikes.

Hot damn, my phone died at the Reds/Mets game so I had no idea what was happening on the farm. This is good news to return to.

[OGB]

I didn't realize Stephen Johnson was in AAA. If he learns to control the strike zone, you csn add him to the mix of Somsen and Weiss as 2017 bullpen saviors...hopefully.
I'm being overly optimistic, but if he is a solid bullpen guy or maybe even setup/closer, that was a phenomenal trade. If I remember correctly, he hits three digits with his fastball.

[dougdirt]

I didn't realize Stephen Johnson was in AAA. If he learns to control the strike zone, you csn add him to the mix of Somsen and Weiss as 2017 bullpen saviors...hopefully.
I'm being overly optimistic, but if he is a solid bullpen guy or maybe even setup/closer, that was a phenomenal trade. If I remember correctly, he hits three digits with his fastball.

Sort of. He HAS hit triple digits, but it's been a while since he has. He's nowhere near that any longer.

[OGB]

Sort of. He HAS hit triple digits, but it's been a while since he has. He's nowhere near that any longer.

I'm guessing as a a reliever he throws 94-97 with his fastball, though?

[RedlegJake]

Thursday April 28th – Jose Peraza, SS, Louisville – 3 hits, 2 doubles, homer, 2 runs, 3 RBI & a walk


Peraza's game stood alone on a day the farm below Louisville didn't fare well. Only blemish was he made an error (his 1^st of the year at any position btw) and was caught stealing for the 4^th time but he more than made up for it. Jesse Winker continues to rake as well, adding 3 hits with a double. Austin Orewhiler made a spot start and tossed 4 one hit frames but Dayton got 1 hit for the game. Josh Smith and Sal Romano made what would have been solid starts except each gave up a pair of dingers to kind of spoil their lines. Ismael Guillon continues to pitch well out of the pen in his comeback.

Jose Peraza SS	Bats	3 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2-doubles, HR, BB, CS, E - raised OPS over 100 points
Jesse Winker LF	Bats	3 for 4, double, BB - break out the rakes
Steve Selsky 1B	Bats	0 for 2, 3 BB, run
Bryson Smith CF	Bats	1 for 3, 2 runs, RBI, double
Jermaine Curtis 3B	Bats	1 for 5, RBI, cooled to “just” .408
Tony Renda LF	Wahoos	2 for 4, triple - little utility man who could
Taylor Sparks 3B	Tortugas	2 for 4, RBI
Mitch Trees C	Dragons	1 for 3 – all that stood twixt Dragons being no hit
Pitchers
Josh Smith RHP	Bats	6 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks, 2 homers
Steve Delabar RHP	Bats	2 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB, 1 ER, 2 Ks
Jumbo Diaz RHP	Bats	1 IP, zeros, 1 K
Sal Romano RHP	Wahoos	6 IP, 4 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 Ks, 2 homers
Barrett Astin RHP	Wahoos	1 IP, 1 hit, zeros
Ismael Guillon LHP	Tortugas	1.2 IP, zeros, 1 K – pen comeback moving along
Seth Varner LHP	Tortugas	1 IP, zeros, 1 K – pen or rotation Seth's the man
Brennan Bernardino LHP	Tortugas	1 IP, 1 hit, zeros, 2 Ks – recovering from bumpy beginning
Austin Orewhiler RHP	Dragons	4 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1K – spot start gone great
Manny Aybar RHP	Dragons	2 IP, 1 BB, 3 Ks
Michael Sullivan LHP	Dragons	1 IP, zeros, 1 K

[Tom Servo]

Games of Friday, April 29th

Robert Stephenson, Louisville: 6 innings, 3 hits, 3 walks, 11 strikeouts, 2 earned runs. I have heard some express concern when Stephenson didn't rack up punchouts in 3 of his starts between AAA and MLB. While the command still remains touch and go, I think you can put the strikeout concerns to rest, there will be K's.

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Mahle, Daytona: 6 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 0 runs. Had to give the nod to the guy at the higher level, but Mahle is showing why he is the Tortugas Top Turtle.

Blake Butler, Daytona: 3-4, HR, 4 RBI. The 15th rounder out of the College of Charleston cranked a 3 run HR to help lead Daytona to victory.


In other action with the Blue Wahoos rained out:

Jose Peraza, Louisville: 1-4

Jesse Winker, Louisville: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI. Only one hit, but the big one off Blake Snell was the difference maker.

Steve Selsky, Louisville: 1-3, 2B, BB

Kyle Waldrop, Louisville: 1-4, RBI

Seth Mejias-Brean, Louisville: 0-2, 2 BB

Juan Perez, Louisville: 1-3

Dayan Diaz, Louisville: 1 inning, 1 walk, 0 runs

Jumbo Diaz, Louisville: 1.2 innings, 0 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts. Jumbo has found his calling as the Bats shutdown closer.


Blake Trahan, Daytona: 1-4, BB

Brian O'Grady, Daytona: 1-4, 3B, BB

Aristides Aquino, Daytona: 2-3, HR, BB. Aristides currently hitting on all cylinders like Season 2 of Arrested Development.

Jimmy Pickens, Daytona: 0-2, 2 BB. Cult favorite "Lil" Jimmy Pickens is still kicking.

Nick Howard, Daytona: 1 inning, 1 walk, 0 runs. We'll take what what we can get.

Jimmy Herget, Daytona: 1 inning, 0 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts.


Shed Long, Dayton: 1-4, RBI

James Vasquez, Dayton: 2-4

Mitch Trees, Dayton: 1-3, BB

Mitch Piatnik, Dayton: 2-4, outfield assist.

Anthony DeSclafani, Dayton: 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs. This kid might just make it to The Show.

[lollipopcurve]

Games of Saturday, April 30

Phillip Ervin, Blue Wahoo . . . in a twinbill, PE went 3-4, 2 BB, 3 R, 2 SB (8) HR (2). He played LF in game 1 and shifted to right in game 2. He's raised his average 60 points since last Sunday. Prior to this hot streak, he was on a 1-20 jag. Yes, he's 8-8 in steal attempts, and the .363 OBP is very solid. But he's striking out at a high rate, and the consistency just isn't there. Yet?

Honorable mention, just a footstep behind -- Aristides Aquino, Tortuga. 3-5, HR (4), 5 RBI. Just turned 22 and has now homered 4 times in the last 4 games in the FSL. Let's not forget the big RF is coming back from a wrist injury and was the 3rd-rated prospect in the system, and tops in Pioneer League, per Baseball America after the 2014 season.

Also notable on a night the Daytona O cracked double digits for the 2nd time this season and the Dayton O got goose egged for the 3rd time in 4 games...

AJ Morris, Bat: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, K. Rode at the front of the BP cavalry.

Key Sampson, Bat: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Entirely out of the conversation to throw relief in Cincy? Think not, not this year.

Stephen Johnson, Bat: IP, H, 2 K. On the 40-man. All he has to do is perform.

Donald Lutz, Blue Wahoo: 2-3, 3B, HR (1)

Tony Renda, Blue Wahoo: 2-4, SB (7)

Calten Daal, Blue Wahoo: 3-6, BB. Played both ends at SS. Stroking it (.429), in his 4 games back since the opening day beaning. Don't sleep on this 22 year-old in his first year in AA.

Rookie Davis, Blue Wahoo: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP. All 4 starts have been top notch. Has walked only 3 over 23 innings, and his GB:FB is a solid 1.48. ERA sitting at 0.78.

Alejandro Chacin, Blue Wahoo: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, win. 9.1 scoreless frames with 14 Ks to open his first year in AA. He's a so-far-so-good BP development project.

Keury Mella, Tortuga: 6 IP, 3 H, R, 3 BB, 5 K. Nice to see. 87 pitches, 55 strikes.

Evan Mitchell, Tortuga: IP, zeros. 1.08 ERA and stuff enough for a big league bullpen if he can harness it.

Blake Trahan, Tortuga: 1-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB. Have faith.

Ty Washington, Tortuga: 2-4, BB

Blake Butler, Tortuga: 3-5, 2B, RBI, SB. Leading hitter on the team (.271). Good to see the Reds making amends for keeping him in the AZL last summer.

Jonathan Reynoso, Tortuga: 2-4, RBI. CF is right behind Butler at .268

Jose Lopez, Dragon: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. Victimized by poor defense and the Dragons' customary lack of run support.

Ariel Hernandez, Dragon: 2.1 IP, 0 H. 0 R, BB, 2 K. Big stuff, big control issues. Starting out nicely with a 1.32 ERA.

Conor Krauss, Dragon: IP, BB. No earnies allowed in his 3 outings since arriving this past week.

Brantley Bell, Dragon: 2-4

[mth123]

Nice to see a couple of OF who might actually have a chance to help the Reds at some point have big days. Lets just say that herte are lots of opportunities in the major leagues for guys who could be competent OF.

[OnBaseMachine]

Phillip Ervin's strike out rate is up this season, but it's starting to normalize. He's only struck out four times in his last 10 games spanning 36 plate appearances. He struck out 15 times in his first 40 plate appearances. His power/on-base ability is legit. If he can raise that batting average to .270ish he could be a Reggie Sanders type of player.

[mth123]

Phillip Ervin's strike out rate is up this season, but it's starting to normalize. He's only struck out four times in his last 10 games spanning 36 plate appearances. He struck out 15 times in his first 40 plate appearances. His power/on-base ability is legit. If he can raise that batting average to .270ish he could be a Reggie Sanders type of player.

That would be a Godsend. Reggie Sanders was really good but people only remember Atlanta's HOF staff making him look like a fool in the 95 play-offs. If the Reds had a Reggie Sanders in RF for the next 10 years, I'd be thrilled and worry about something else.

[Old school 1983]

That would be a Godsend. Reggie Sanders was really good but people only remember Atlanta's HOF staff making him look like a fool in the 95 play-offs. If the Reds had a Reggie Sanders in RF for the next 10 years, I'd be thrilled and worry about something else.

He's one of my favorite players from my childhood. That 95 post season still stings. Can't stand the Braves til this day because of it.

[mth123]

He's one of my favorite players from my childhood. That 95 post season still stings. Can't stand the Braves til this day because of it.

Geez. You said childhood. I was in my late 30s.