These are some intriguing questions from/about a list of guys that aren't the usual suspects. It appears the Reds now have this "skunk works" in Arizona where they re-work pitchers mechanics. (and maybe hitters too).
Brandon Finnegan - 2018 was a disaster for Finnegan, and spring training for 2019 was even worse with an ERA approaching 20. It was obvious that the wheels had come off. The Reds outrighted him, and then sent him to the skunk works to re-work things. He didn't reappear until July 26th, when he showed up for AA Chattanooga. He's thrown 2 appearances, 3 total innings, and has not been scored upon. Walked one hitter.
Now I figure the odds are about 25%, but there's a successful major league pitcher somewhere in there. If he somehow comes back that would be huge.
Chad Tromp - Chad has never been much of a hitter. 2018 was pretty typical. Split time between AA and AAA and hit 2 homers with a .675 OPS. This season he's nowhere to be found till June 17th when he shows up a a "rehab" stint with Az Reds. He spends an entire month with Az Reds (as opposed to the usual 4-5 days) before going on to AAA. He hit pretty well in Az as you would hope, but he's also been hitting in AAA. 4 homers in 18 at bats with a 1.506 OPS. So I wonder if the skunk works has been working on Tromp. Reds catching pipeline is super slim, so if they somehow turned Tromp into a hitter....... I figure the odds are 10%, but I'm monitoring.
Ryan Hendrix - in 2018 in Daytona, Hendrix has a 1.76 ERA. 51 innings, 38 hits, 79 K's. He starts out this year in AA and pitches 10 innings of 0.00 ERA, 6 hits, 15 K's, before going on DL. He's just reappeared in Az. 3 appearances, 3 innings, 0.00 ERA, 1 hit, 5 K's and i doesn't look like he's thrown a ball yet. All strikes. Like to see him get back to AA and see if they dominating numbers are for real. Odds - 50%
Noah Davis - In 2018 draft Reds thought enough about him to make him their #11 pick, and throw $125K at him even though he had just had TJ surgery. He's finally reappeared. Made a couple uninspiring stints in AZ, but Reds sent him to Billings anyway. He just started and had a 4 shutout inning outing. Unlike first 3 guys who could affect the Reds shortly if they were for real, this one is just someone to watch climb the system possibly.
Sal Romano - He was a release candidate in my mind a month ago, since he was mediocre as both a starter and reliever for a couple years at both AAA and majors. All of a sudden starting June 26th, Romano seems to have found the magic beans. While mostly starting, he has taken his ERA from 6.18 to 4.70. And he gets a 3 inning stint in Cincy where he gives up 1 run. (ERA 3.00). I would have him starting ASAP in AAA and depending on results there and trades, I would have him starting in Cincy. Odds are maybe 10%, but if all of a sudden Romano is a competent major league starter? Huge.
Andy Fisher - UDFA out of Illinois this year, he pitched 20 innings of 0.87 ERA ball in Greeneville, then gets promoted to Dayton and now has a 0.00 ERA there after 8 innings. (1 hit, 9 k's, 0 walks). He's got a funky, sidearm, lefty delivery and throws the ball slow and then slower. Not the kind of guy that normally gets past AA unless you keep putting up crazy numbers.
Connor Bennett - Put up big strikeout totals as closer in Dayton this year. 2.27 ERA. 39 innings, 63 K's. Just got promoted to Daytona. Has 1.13 ERA after 8 innings. But just 8 K's. Bears watching.
Yomil Maysonet - This is the official Missing Persons Report for Yomil. Guy was drafted #6 last year. And got $250K. He pitched 5 very bad innings for Az Reds last year. He was listed on this years minor league spring training list of players. And nothing..... his Milb page says active but not on any roster. Have you noticed we have not had much success recently with guys from Puerto Rico?
Dauri Moreta - Didn't pitch well in Billings or Dayton in 2018 but still got promoted to Daytona this year. Reliever has 1.87 ERA in 43 innings. 34 hits, 50 K's. Unscored upon in last 9 appearances.
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Originally Posted by JayBruceFan
