2017 Minor-League Player of the Day

[mace]

Games of Wednesday, August 30

Nadir Ljatifi, Billings . . . 2-4, 2 HR (2), 4 RBI. On this day, it was Zenith Ljatifi. The German infielder, only 19 (and no relation to Queen Latifah, that we know of), came into the game with 1 career homer in three seasons. He’s now smacking the ball at a .391 clip over his last 10 games, during which time he’s accumulated all but 4 of his hits.

Honorable Mention: Darnell Sweeney, Louisville . . . 2-3, HR (7, 11 overall), walk, 2 SB (10, 17). Versatile infielder-outfielder, acquired from the Dodgers in late May for the much-traveled future considerations, played second base and raised his Louisville OPS (for 306 AB) to .788.

Also notable on a night when Pensacola swept a pair and Dayton walked off with its 10th win in 11 games (lifting the Dragons over .500 ) . . .

Jeter Downs, Billings: 1-3, HR (4), 2 walks. Sharp-eyed shortstop’s OPS climbs to .831.

John Sansone, Dayton: 2-4, HR (13), 3 RBI.

Bruce Yari, Dayton: 2-5, walkoff RBI. Single drove in Siri in bottom of ninth.

Taylor Trammell, Dayton: 2-4, double, walk, 2 R, RBI. Didn’t make Midwest League all-star team, but has put up all-star numbers.

Randy Ventura, Dayton: 3-5, R, SB (9, 38). Counting Ventura’s production in Braves system, Dragons’ starting outfield has stolen 124 bases this year.

Jose Siri, Dayton: 1-4, walk, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB (46). Leadoff walk in ninth set up game-winner.

Taylor Sparks, Dayton: 1-2, HR (5, 8), walk, 2 R. We thought he was sent to Dayton for rehab, but he's been there for over a month now.

Jesse Adams, Dayton: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, W (5-2). Lefty looks like a nice pick in 14th round last year.

Shed Long, Pensacola: 2-2, walk. First day back after 4-week absence, which evidently served him well. Added a pinch-hit walk in second game.

Gavin LaValley, Pensacola (2 games): 2-6, double, 2 R.

Reydel Medina, Pensacola: 1-2, HR (1, 9), 3 RBI. Recently promoted from Daytona.

Jonathan Reynoso, Pensacola (2 games): 3-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB (6, 12). Tied second game with 2-out, 10th-inning single, then scored the winner.

Joe Hudson, Pensacola: Walkoff single in 10th.

Gabriel Guerrero: 1-4, double, walk, 2 R. Double started 2-out, 2-run winning rally.

Blake Trahan, Pensacola: 2-4, SB (12).

Arismendy Alcantara, Pensacola (2 games): 2-8, double, triple, 4 RBI.

Robert Stock, Pensacola: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, W (8-2).

Tanner Rainey, Pensacola: 1 IP, zeros, 2 strikeouts, Sv (2, 11). Rallying after midseason lull, Louisiana fireballer sports a 0.98 WHIP over two levels, with a staggering 102 K in 60 innings.

Zack Weiss, Pensacola: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. That's 33 strikeouts in 25 innings for Wahoos.

Brandon Dixon, Louisville: 1-3, double, walk.

Zach Vincej, Louisville: 1-2, 2 walks.

Nefi Ogando, Louisville: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Third stop on rehab circuit.

Malik Collymore, Daytona: 2-3, 2B. In second tour of FSL, free-agent outfielder, 22, is off to a dramatically better start (.389).

Sandy Lugo, Daytona: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Justin Bellinger, AZL Reds: 2-3, double, R, 2 RBI. That’s 26 RBIs in 34 games for the big Dookie.

Reniel Ozuna, AZL: 2-5, double.

Miguel Hernandez, AZL: 2-5, R, RBI. Slash of .326/.346/.424/.770 for 18-year-old Venezuelan shortstop.

Juan Martinez, AZL: 2-4, R, RBI.

Alexander Perez, AZL: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Dominican righty pitched for the Rojos in 2014 and disappeared for two years before showing up in the desert.

Pabel Manzanero, Billings: 2-4, R, RBI.

Tyler Buffett, Billings: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, L. Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame.

[RedlegJake]

Thursday August 31st MiLPOD

Luis Gonzalez, the little shortstop in Dayton who doesn't want you to forget about him, hit a homer, a double and had 5 hits total in a DH

Honorable Mention: Shane Mardirosian also had 5 hits in the DH including 4 for 4 in the nightcap

Honorable Mention: Juan Martinez threw a 7 inning complete game 3 hit 2 run gem for Daytona
********

Louisville loses 8-6

Brandon Dixon hits 2 doubles and scores a run

Hernan Irribarren 2 for 4, 2 RBI

Sebastian Elizalde whacks a pair of singles, drives in 1

Tyler Goeddel a good night, 2 for 3 and a run scored

Ismael Guillon relieved Bautista and pitched 3.2 scoreless, hitless innings with 2 walks and 5 Ks

Ariel Hernandez fanned 2 in a scoreless inning and Herget fans 2 in a scoreless 9th
********

Pensacola loses 5-2

Shed Long has a double and a walk, Jonathan Reynoso matched that line

Gavin LaValley a single and a walk and RBI, no one else reached more than once

Deck McGuire made another strong start - 6 IP, 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 ER, 11 Ks, Alex Powers took the loss allowing 3 runs in relief
********

Daytona swept 2, 7-2 and 8-3

Shane Mardirosian G1&2 5 for 8, 3 R and 2 RBI

Luis Gonzalez G1&2 hit his 5th HR in game 1 then went 4 for 4 with a double, 2 runs and an RBI in Game 2. Now at .288

Chris Okey G1 2 for 3, RBI

Blake Butler G1&2, hit his 4th HR, a 2 run shot in game 1, then singled twice in the nightcap

Mitch Trees G2, 2 for 4

James Vasquez G2 hit his 5th homer

Juan Martinez G1 pitched a 7 inning complete game - 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 runs 1 earned, 3 Ks

Jake Paulson started went 5, 7 hits, 3 ER, 6 Ks in game 2

Bender struck out the side around a single in the 6th

Hendrix pitched a perfect 7th fanning 2
********

Dayton lost 6-0 held to 3 singles

Dauri Moreta threw 2 scoreless innings fanning 4 in relief
********

Billings won 5-4

Andy Sugilio went 3 for 5 with a double and is sitting at .340 with 17 steals

Hendrik Clementina matched Sugilio's 3 for 5 but all singles

Raul Wallace went 2 for 4 with a run

JD Salmon-Williams went 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer

Jacob Heatherly made a workmanlike start - 5 innings, 7 hits, 4 ER, 2 walks, 5 Ks

Sceroler threw 3 scoreless in relief, Benenati and Ryan threw scoreless frames
********

AZL Reds had the day off
********

The DSL teams are done playing. For a wrap of the year check out Doug's link:

http://redsminorleagues.com/2017/08/...s-2017-season/

[Tom Servo]

Games of Friday, September 1

Taylor Sparks, Dayton: 3-4, 2 HRs, 2 RBI. The 2014 2nd rounder never actually saw any Dayton action before this recent stint, having jumped from Billings to Daytona in 2015. Maybe this and his upcoming AFL stint will help the big slugger finally show some promise.

Honorable mention: Reniel Ozuna, AZL Reds: 3-4, 2 doubles, stolen base. Ozuna is a 19-year-old outfielder (and bonus baby of $175K in 2015) from the Dominican Republic who slashed a solid .268/.332/.419 last year in the DSL.


In other action on a night where the pitchers got kicked around and the offensive action wasn't too plentiful


Darnell Sweeney, Louisville: 2-4. Unfortunately Sweeney also committed a pair of errors playing shortstop.

Brandon Dixon, Louisville: 1-4, RBI

Sebastian Elizalde, Louisville: 1-4, 2B

Jackson Stephens, Louisville: 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 0 walks, 9 strikeouts, 5 runs, 4 earned runs. Stephens allowed only one unearned run until the 6th when after allowing a pair of earned runs a two out, two run HR ended his night.



Shed Long, Pensacola: 1-4, RBI

Aristides Aquino, Pensacola: 2-4

Blake Trahan, Pensacola: 1-3, BB. Another guy finally getting a little hot and who could use a strong AFL performance.

Jose Lopez, Pensacola: 4 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, 2 earned runs. First start since July 1st that Lopez didn't go at least 6 innings which was also the last time he walked more than 3 batters in a game.

Andrew McKirahan, Pensacola: 1 inning, 0 hits, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs. I have a hunch that McKirahan might get a look in the Reds bullpen due to his lefthandness but that's just a guess.



Alfredo Rodriguez, Daytona: 1-3, BB

Shane Mardirosian, Daytona: 1-3, 2 walks

Malik Collymore, Daytona: 1-3, BB, RBI

Austin Orewiler, Daytona: 2.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 0 runs.



Bruce Yari, Dayton: 1-4, HR, RBI

Hector Vargas, Dayton: 1-3, 2B, RBI

Aaron Fossas, Dayton: 1 inning, 2 hits, 0 walks, 1 strikeout, 0 runs.

John Sansone, Dayton: 1-3, BB. 1 inning, 2 hits, 0 walk, 1 strikeout, 0 runs. Never a good thing when a position player has to pitch but Sansone did well. Dragons committing 6 errors in the game helped lead to that situation.



Jeter Downs, Billings: 1-4, RBI

Mark Kolozsvary, Billings: 1-4, 2B

Andy Sugilio, Billings: 2-4

Hendrik Clementina, Billings: 1-3, HR, BB, RBI. 2nd HR in Billings for Clementina, his 6th of the year in the Pioneer League.

Raul Wallace, Billings: 2-4, 2 doubles

Hunter Greene, Billings: 0.1 innings, 6 hits, 0 walks, 1 strikeout, 6 runs. Oh no.

Zac Correll, Billings: 2 innings, 1 hit, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 0 runs.



Miguel Hernandez, AZL Reds: 1-3, BB

Edwin Yon, AZL Reds: 1-3, 3B, BB, RBI

Gregory Reinoso, AZL Reds: 3.2 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 0 runs.

[lollipopcurve]

Ozuna starting to flicker a little on the radar. Also, I'm semi-intrigued by Mardirosian's recent roll hitting high in the Daytona lineup -- he's still just 21.

[lollipopcurve]

Games of Saturday September 2

Your Sunday MILPoD scripture reading...
“For, surely, baseball sets off the meaning of life precisely because it is pure of meaning. As the ripples in the sand (in the Kyoto garden) organize and formalize the dust which is dust, so the di create an elegant, trivial, enchanted grid on which our suffering, shapeless, sinful day leans for the momentary grace of order." Donald Hall, "Baseball and the Meaning of Life."


Packy Naughton, Mustang: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Very nice road start in that league. Mustangs couldn't score (unitl late), so Naughton didn't get a W, but this was the Bostonian's 2nd straight scoreless start and 3rd in his last 4. Lefty 9th rounder out of VA Tech has turned in a very consistent season, throwing 5 or 6 innings in almost all of his starts. Peripherals are decent, not overpowering, and his prospect status is unclear. Claim to prospect fame was an excellent turn in the Cape Cod League in 2016.

Honorable mention

ToolShed Long, Blue Wahoo: 3-3, BB, 2B, RBI. Would be great to see Long finish strong after an uninspiring run in his first exposure to AA. Maybe there was an injury involved. He's just turned 22, and he crushed the FSL, so you have to think he can make the necessary adjustments. The added little pressure of having Senzel out will give Shed a chance to shine here in the next couple of weeks.

Jose Siri, Dragon: 3-4, 2B (24), 3B (11), 3 RBI. He lights it up again. Two-out 9th inning single sent the game to extras, where the Dragons victored. Now tied for the league lead in triples, while leading in stolen bases and 2nd in homers.


Also notable on a day recent graduate Tyler Mahle delivered a lesson in the art of pitching...


Bats were rained out.


Austin Ross, Blue Wahoo: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K, win (9-0). Rounding back into shape for the Southern League playoffs. Longest outing since July 2.

Zach Weiss, Blue Wahoo: 2 IP, zeros, 4 Ks. 20 pitches, 17 strikes. Has flashed some of the old magic with 56 Ks in 40 IP and a .199 average against. Hard to say if he's a guy the Reds would protect on the 40 man.

Tanner Rainey, Blue Wahoo: IP, BB, K, save (3, 12 overall). Interesting that Weiss was setting him up, not vice versa. AA hitters are at .151 against him.


Tortugas game was cancelled.


Michael Beltre, Dragon: 3-3, 2 BB. .361 over his last 10.

Carlos Rivero, Dragon: 2-4, sac. Young SS who hits lefty -- something to like.

Dauri Moreta, Dragon: 2 IP, zeros, BB, 4 K, win (1). 4th straight 2-inning outing. Moreta's been tough to hit wherever's he's pitched. 37Ks vs 9 BB in 27 IP with the Dragons. Anybody know what kind of velo he's got? Have to think it's either high octane or a sharp slider, if not both.

Jesse Adams, Dragon: IP, zeros, 2 K, save (6). A big reason the Dragons have gotten hot again (20 K vs 2 BB in his last 13 innings, with a few saves). He's 24 and lefthanded, so Adams should probably be in Daytona -- except that they're pushing to win in Dayton this year.


Stuart Fairchild, Mustang: 3-4, RBI. Average back over .300 (.304) and OPS back over .800 (.801).

Tyler Buffett, Mustang: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, win (4). 6th rounder starting to earn his way with 6th straight outing w/out allowing an earnie. 1.64 ERA over his last 10 (23 K vs 4 BB). Has not allowed a homer all year (41 IP) -- hard to do in that league.



Alejandro Paulino, AZL Red: 1-3, 2B, BB, CS

Reshard Munroe, AZL Red: 2-4

Valentin Martinez, AZL Red: 2-3, HBP. .802 OPS over about 75 plate appearances for the Colombian catcher.

Ricky Karcher, AZL Red: IP, zeros, 2 Ks. Strange because he started the game.

Alexis Diaz, AZL Red: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, L. Missed 2016 with injury, but showed some potential as a 2015 high school draftee from Puerto Rico.

Francis Jones, AZL Red: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. 20 y-o Dominican is big, but success stateside has been hard to find. On the bright side, 2 ER over 12 IP in his last 5 outings.

Stephen Keller, AZL Red: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. After early struggles., the 19 y-o 35th rounder, a late signee, has pitched very well. Only 1 earned run allowed in his last 14 innings.

[mace]

Games of Sunday, September 3

Amir Garrett, Louisville . . . 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts. Where did this come from? It follows a 6.11 ERA in August and 7.92 in July. On the other hand, it resembles a time or two in April in Cincinnati, when the National League was the long lefty's oyster.

Honorable Mention: Miles Gordon, Billings . . . 4-6, HR (8), 4 R, 3 RBI. Outfielder from Votto Country, a fourth-rounder in 2015, is OPSing .935 as a 19-year-old. It’s the second straight year he’s shown massive improvement.

Honorable Mention: Blake Butler, Daytona . . . 0-3, walk, R. Played every position, including pitching the last inning to preserve the Tortugas’ shutout and chalk up a save.

Also notable on the rare, refreshing day when all the participating farms were triumphant--Louisville twice--and Daytona's dismal season ended, thankfully, with a fourth straight win . . .

Keury Mella, Pensacola: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. That's four straight strong starts, a most welcome development for a prospect with the stuff to make a significant difference. Also singled and scored.

Wyatt Strahan, Daytona: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. After a couple rough outings, the sheriff restored law and order.

Andy Sugilio, Billings: 4-6, double, triple, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB (18). Eye-opening Dominican outfielder raised his average to a lofty .350.

Stuart Fairchild, Billings: 3-5, double, 2 R, RBI, SB (12). Second straight 3-hit game for the second-round center fielder.

Jeter Downs, Billings: 1-2, R. Left game after 2 ABs.

Hendrik Clementina, Billings: 2-4, double, walk, 4 RBI. Catcher from Curacao arrived in Cingrani trade.

Leandro Santana, Billings: 1-3, triple, 2 walks, R.

Montrell Marshall, Billings: HR (6), 2 RBI.

Pabel Manzanero, Billings: 1-1, double, R.

Luis Alecis, Billings: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K, W (6-6).

Cory Thompson, Billings: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Former shortstop sports a solid 3.26 ERA in the Pioneer League.

Brandon Dixon, Louisville (game 1): 3-4, 2B, HR (16), 3 RBI, SB (18). Versatile former Dodger farmhand is not on the 40-man.

Sebastian Elizalde, Louisville (game 1): 3-4, HR (8), 2 RBI.

Cody Reed, Louisville (game 1): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Not sure what the 3-inning-start thing is about, but it's worked splendidly twice in a row now.

Luke Farrell, Louisville (game 1): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K, W. The Boston manager’s son won 7 games this year for Omaha. This was his first in relief.

Alex Blandino, Louisville (game 2): 2-3, double, walk, R. Also not on the 40-man. Just sayin'.

Adam Brett Walker, Louisville (game 2): 1-3, double, walk, 3 RBI.

Scott Van Slyke, Louisville (game 2): 2-3, double, R, SB.

Tyler Goeddel, Louisville (2 games): 3-7, double, HR (1, 6 overall), 2 R, 2 RBI.

Shane Mardirosian, Daytona: 2-4, 2 doubles. Left-hitting utilityman, coming out of nowhere--he batted .188 this year for Dayton--is 15 for 29 over his last eight games.

Sandy Lugo, Daytona: 1 IP, zeros, 2 K.

Jose Siri, Dayton: 1-5, HR (24), 2 RBI.

Taylor Trammell, Dayton: 2-4, R.

Hector Vargas, Dayton: 2-4, R.

Michael Beltre, Dayton: 2-3, walk, RBI. Ninth-inning single drove in winning run.

Joel Kuhnel, Dayton: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, W. Big (6-5, 260) righthander lost closer’s role early in season, but has had his moments—although none before of this length.

Josh VanMeter, Pensacola: 2-4, RBI.

Shed Long, Pensacola: 1-3, walk, R.

Robert Stock, Pensacola: 1 IP, zeros, in eighth inning of 2-1 game.

Tanner Rainey, Pensacola: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, Sv (4, 16 overall).

[RedsfaninMT]

Games of Monday, September 4, 2017

20-year-old Dominican Jhon De Jesus throws a dominating game for 6 innings for Billings. 6 IP, 8 Ks, 1 BB, 4 H

Honorable mention:

Michael Beltre, 4-5, 2B

Bruce Yari, 3-6, 2B, HR, 3R, 3 RBI


Bats lose 6-2

Darnell Sweeney, 1-3, BB, R, SB

Brandon Dixon, 1-3

Sebestian Elizalde, 2-4, E (11th of the season for an OF)


Wahoos win 5-1

Gavin LaValley, 3-4, 2 R, RBI

Aristedes Aquino, 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Jonathan Reynoso, 1-3, RBI

Jeses Reyes, 5 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, BB, K


Dragons leaving no doubt, win 10-1

Bruce Yari, 3-6, 2B, HR, 3R, 3 RBI

Taylor Sparks, 2-4, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI (.333 over his last 10 games, with 4 HR)

Michael Beltre, 4-5, 2B

Hector Vargas, 2-3, 2 BB, 3B, R

Morgan Lofstram, 3-5, R

Randy Ventura, 1-4, R, BB, RBI

Matt Blandino, 4.1 IP, 8H, 1 R, 1 K, Game score of 48

Alex Web, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 4K


Mustangs won 2-1

Miles Gordon, 1-4, 2 RBI

Leandro Santana, 1-3

Jhon De Jesus, 6 IP, BB, 4 H 8Ks, Game score 74

Lucas Benenati, 0 ER, (1 unearned), 2 IP, BB, 4 Ks

[mace]

Jake, Servo, Lollipop, Montana: With the erratic schedule ahead--Billings playing for another week and playoff games starting tomorrow--I'd say just handle your day as you see fit. If there aren't enough games for a full-fledged Player of the Day, feel free to cite somebody deserving or skip it or whatever seems appropriate. Thanks.

[Tom Servo]

Game of Tuesday, September 5

No PotD designation.

Miles Gordon, Billings: 1-3, BB, RBI

Montrell Marshall, Billings: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI

Alejo Lopez, Billings: 2-3, RBI

J.D. Salmon-Williams, Billings: 2-4, RBI

Mac Sceroler, Billings: 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, 1 earned run.

Connor Bennett, Billings: 1 inning, 0 hits, walks, or runs, 3 strikeouts.

[lollipopcurve]

Sceroler's been quite good so long as he doesn't start the game.

[dougdirt]

Game of Tuesday, September 5

No PotD designation.

What a cop out. Take a stance, Tom.

[mace]

Games of Wednesday, September 6

Deck McGuire, Pensacola . . . 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 13 K. The bounced-around righty, 28 and a rock in the Wahoos’ rotation, crafted a masterpiece for 112 pitches, 81 of them strikes. He struck out two in the third inning, two in the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth, two in the seventh, and all three in the eighth before being excused with a 2-0 lead. (Two of McGuire's strikeouts were rehabbing Marlins slugger Justin Bour.) Said manager Pat Kelly to the Pensacola News Journal, " . . . in the third inning he got on a roll and that's the best I have seen anybody pitch in a long time."

Honorable Mention: Andrew Jordan, Dayton . . . 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 walks, 5 K. An impressive and important outing for the 20-year-old righthander from North Carolina, starting the first game of the playoffs and stifling the best team, by far, in the Midwest League. Jordan retired the side in order in the first four innings. Unfortunately, West Michigan rallied with a pair of 2-out runs in the ninth.

Honorable Mention: Josh VanMeter, Pensacola . . . 4-4, 2 RBI. Playing LF and batting cleanup, the lefty swinger, 22, drove in the game’s first run in the sixth and last run in the eighth.

Honorable Mention: Zack Weiss, Pensacola . . . 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, save. Entered the 9th (in relief of Tanner Rainey) with the bases loaded, no outs, and a 2-0 lead. Fanned the first two batters and retired the third on a ground ball to short for a hairy-scary save.

Also notable on opening night of the postseason (with Billings still pursuing a berth) . . .

Hunter Greene, Billings: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 walk, 4 K. First outing beyond one inning. Registered triple digits again (according to C. Trent, who was there), and threw 25 strikes in 35 pitches.

Bruce Yari, Dayton: HR, 2 RBI. The first baseman’s fourth-inning shot gave the Dragons a lead that lasted through the 26th out.

Taylor Sparks, Dayton. Double.

Jose Siri, Dayton: 1-3, walk, R. Also picked off to end the 8th and made a dandy diving catch (according to Doug, who was there).

Dauri Moreta, Dayton: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Dominican righty fanned 45 in 31.1 innings during the regular season.

Tyler Mondile, Billings: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Picked up where Greene left off. Sort of. Threw 30 strikes and only 13 balls.

John Ghyzel, Billings: 1 IP, zeros, 1 K.

Andy Sugilio, Billings: 3-5, R, 2 RBI, SB (19). Switch-hitting outfielder sitting at .348.

J.D. Salmon-Williams, Billings: HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI. Career high in homers for the third-year outfielder and erstwhile second baseman from Toronto.

Jake Turnbull, Billings: 2-4, HR (2), 2 R, 4 RBI. Homer was a 7th-inning slam. Left-hitting Australian, no longer a catcher, is yet to reach 100 PA for the season.

Alejo Lopez, Billings: 2-3, walk, 2 R. Lots of walks for infielder from Mexico City.

Pabel Manzanero, Billings: 1-3, BB, R, RBI.

Blake Trahan, Pensacola: 1-3, double.

Shed Long, Pensacola: 1-3, walk, R.

[RED VAN HOT]

C'mon Reds, select McGuire's contract when the playoffs end. Drop someone you were planning to drop anyway. If he doesn't work out, can always leave him off the 40 after season's end. At least see what you have. Could be a good bullpen piece.

[Tom Servo]

C'mon Reds, select McGuire's contract when the playoffs end. Drop someone you were planning to drop anyway. If he doesn't work out, can always leave him off the 40 after season's end. At least see what you have. Could be a good bullpen piece.

He's already thrown about 174 innings now though, easily a career high.

[dougdirt]

He's already thrown about 174 innings now though, easily a career high.

At the same time, he's a free agent after the season. So if you want to keep him around, you're either going to have to add him to the 40-man or bid against others for his services in the offseason. From a pure financial aspect, I think it would be cheaper to add him to the 40-man (though maybe not call him up, in which he'd get a significant bump in pay). If you call him up, that changes the math quite a bit at $20,000 per week while in the big leagues. If they don't think he's a legit big leaguer, then none of that matters, of course.