Minor-League Player of the Day (2014)

[mace]

Friday, June 13: Rossmel Perez, Pensacola . . . 3-5, 3B, 2 R, 6 RBI. The 24-year-old catcher, playing in his home park (Mobile) of the two previous seasons, punished his old club, for which he never hit a triple. Nor did he hit anything close to the .333 average that he sports today. A native Venezuelan, Perez raised his OPS to .799.

Also notable on a night in which Pensacola (14-13 winners) thought it was Bakersfield, or maybe Green Bay, and two slugging Rojos split the DSL vote . . .

Hitters

Francis Guerrero, Rojos: 2-4, 2 HR, BB, 2 R, 4 RBI. A 19-year-old catcher and, judging by last night, first baseman.

Anthony Rubicondo, Rojos: 4-4, 2B, HR, BB, 2 R, RBI. An 18-year-old Venezuelan who floats between 2B and 3B.

Olvis Jimenez, Rojos: 3-5, HR, 2 R. A tall, lefty outfielder.

Francis Azcona, Rojos: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI. Second baseman hit .329 (.413 OBP) last year.

Brodie Greene, Pen: 3-6, 3 R. Played SS.

Moose Mattair, Pen: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Rey Navarro, Pen: 2-5, 2 R.

Juan Duran, Pen: HR (9), 3 RBI.

Ryan Wright, Bake: 2-5, HR (8).

Kyle Waldrop, Bake: HR (6), 2 RBI.

Jesse Winker, Bake: HR (13).

Brent Peterson, Bake: 2-2, 2 BB.

Thomas Neal, Lou: HR (2).

Sebasian Elizalde, Day: 2-4.

Leandro Santana, Reds: 1-3, 3B, R.

Cesar Mejia, Reds: 1-3, 3 RBI.

Pitchers

Wandy Peralta, Bake: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

Dan Langfield, Day: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Now has 30 K in 19.2 IP.

Alfredo Mena, Reds: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Jesus Roman, Reds: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

Pedro Damian, Reds: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

Jean Lara, Rojos: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Hernando Guzman, Rojos: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Tim Crabbe, Lou: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K.

Some Guys Who Threw A Scoreless Inning: Curtis Partch, Nolan Becker, Tony Amezcua, Tim Adleman, Sandy Lugo.

[lollipopcurve]

Friday, June 13: Carlos Contreras, Blue Wahoo. . . 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, win. CC dominated the 8th, 9th and 10th while the offense fought back from a 3-run deficit to win in extras. The consensus Reds top 10 prospect has been coming back from injury and has thrown only 19 innings in 2014, but has 26 Ks and an opponents BA of .203. Still only 23, the hard thrower has a 40-man roster spot and the stuff to possibly make multi-inning appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen this summer.... What bullpen?

Also notable. . .

Hitters

Jason Bourgeois, Bat: 1-3, R, BB, SB (8). The Louisville leadoffer's steal of home was the game's only run. Has more BB than K on the year (24/21)

Devin Lohman, Blue Wahoo: 3-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (4)

Steve Selsky, Blue Wahoo: 2-5, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB. Second baseman hit .329 (.413 OBP) last year.

Rossmel Perez, Blue Wahoo: 3-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR (2). Now up to .341, Perez came within a whisker of taking down back-to-back MiLPOD trophies.

Juan Silva, Blaze: 3-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2B, SB (32). 3rd straight 3 hit night for the 9th rounder out of PR. Rocking a .571 OBP over his last 10. Kudos to Pat Kelly for putting this guy in the leadoff spot.

Marquez Smith, Blaze: 0-1, 3 BB. Finishes his dizzying stint in the ÇAL League with a .419 OBP and about 7,000 RBI. If rumors are right, next stop Pensacola.

SMB, Blaze: 2-3. Squares up the first half at .300.

Beau Amaral, Blaze: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (20 on the year).

Gabriel Rosa, Dragon: 1-4, HR (1). First single A homer for the centerfielder.

Carlton Daal, Dragon: 1-3. Another week in the books and the 20-year-old Daal still dialing a plus-.300 BA (.314)

Tomas De Los Santos, DSL Red: 2-4, BB, SB (4). Lefty swinging CF.

Derik Capitillo, DSL Red: 2-4, 2B (1). Has been moved off catcher, it seems.


Pitchers

Mikey O'Brien, Blue Wahoo: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Also went 2 for 2 at the plate. No MiLPOD for Mikey, but I hope someone was ready with a Guiness for him after this effort.

Jamie Walczak, Blue Wahoo: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, save (4).

CarGo Jr: 1 IP, 0 H 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, save (15). Another day at the office.

Marcos Encarnacion, DSL Red: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. The 6'2" 18-year-old Dominican is in his first year in pro ball and off to an impressive start. He's got a 1.35 ERA in 3 starts and a sub .200 BA against.

Isaac Moncien, DSL Red: 1 IP 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, save (1).

Chien-Ming Wang, Bat: 7.1 IP, 9 H, 0 BB, 2 K. 13 ground outs vs 3 flyouts, and the Bats turned 2 DPs behind him.

Jose Jumbo Diaz, Bat: 1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, save (16). ERA still lean and mean at 1.42. Promote Jumbo!

[mace]

Sunday, June 15: Tucker Barnhart, Louisville . . . 4-4, 3B. The switch-hitting catcher is batting just .214 for the Bats, and we know he can do better. Sunday, he did. Of course, his outburst came against righthanders. His difficulties are mostly with lefties. Fortunately, he catches lefties and righties equally well.

Also notable on a day in which Louisville managed the mind-boggling feat of outhitting its opponent (12-11) and somehow losing by 10 runs (12-2) . . .

Pitchers

Alejandro Chacin, Day: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Worked the high-stress 8th, 9th and 10th innings as the Dragons won in 11.

Layne Somsen, Day: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K. His first start of the season went very well.

Ryan Kemp, Day: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K.

Nolan Becker, Day: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

Elvin Ramirez, Lou: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K.

Brett Marshall, Lou: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 5 BB, 0 K. We don't usually include the unfortunate performances here, but this one was indeed notable. Is Marshall really healthy? In the 3 outings since he came off the DL, he's walked 13 in 5 innings. Remember, late in spring training, when he looked to be the Reds' fifth starter?

Drew Hayes, Pen: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.

Brooks Pinckard, Pen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.

Hitters

Steve Selsky, Pen: 2-3, 2B, RBI.

Yorman Rodriguez, Pen: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB (5).

Ruben Gotay, Lou: 3-5, 2B.

Thomas Neal, Lou: 2-4, HR (3), BB.

Chris Nelson, Lou: HR (4).

Hernan Iribarren, 2-3, BB. The utility dude also pitched the Bats' only scoreless (and hitless) inning.

Brandon Dailey, Day: HR (3).

Carlton Daal: 1-3, BB, R, SB (2). The SS prospect finishes his first half-season at .314.

. . . .

Billings begins play Monday night. (Roster: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats...=true&sid=t513)

The all-star games of the Southern, California and Midwest leagues will be held Tuesday night.

[mace]

Monday, June 16: David Holmberg, Louisville . . . 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. While this was a fine outing of itself, the nod comes in recognition also of the progress it represents. Until last night, the lefty acquired for Ryan Hanigan had been, well, dreadful. Since his first start in April, he'd failed to last 5 innings, pitching 17 in all, giving up 39 hits--39!--and walking another dozen. That's 3 baserunners an inning. So, yeah, last night was welcome.

Also notable on a night when Billings got started and Bakersfield distinguished itself again, even while not playing. . . .

Hitters

Aristides Aquino, Bill: 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI. The big outfielder (Redszone prospect #26) batted cleanup for the Mustangs and served notice that he might be the bat to watch in Billings.

Jesse Winker, Bake: Won the California-Carolina home run derby, an encore of last year's triumph in the Midwest League competition.

Kyle Waldrop, Bake: Won the Cal-Carolina hitting challenge.

Felix Perez, Lou: 2-4, HR (10). Matched the personal homer high he set last year.

Thomas Neal, Lou: 1-3, 2B, BB, R.

Shelley Duncan, Lou: 1-3, BB, RBI. Looks like a nice pickup.

Tucker Barnhart, Lou: 1-2.

Gabriel Ovalle, Reds: 3-5, 2B, 3B, R. A 19-year-old shortstop whose name keeps popping up here.

Derek Capitillo, Reds: 2-3, 2B, 2 R.

Raul Wallace, Reds: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R.

Tomas De Los Santos, Reds: 1-3, 2 BB, R, SB (5). The left-swinging CF (throws right) follows Ovalle at the top of the order.

Nick Benedetto, Bill: 2-3, 2B, R.

Garrett Boulware, Bill: 1-3, 2B, RBI. Recently drafted catcher from Clemson.

Anthony Rubicondo, Rojos: 2-4, R.

Francis Guerrero, Rojos: 2-4, RBI.

Pitchers

David Jones, Rojos: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Tyler Mahle, Bill: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K. The Mustangs' game-one starter induced 9 ground outs and 0 flies (well, except for a HR).

Wendolyn Bautista, Reds: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K.

Jesus Roman, Reds: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.

Jairo Martinez, Reds: Save.

Justin Freeman, Lou: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Solid return to AAA.

Jumbo Diaz, Lou: Save (17). Anybody know of a big-league club looking for bullpen help?

. . . .

Ben Lively makes the all-star start for the Californias tonight.

Juan Silva has been named the Player of the Week in the Cal League, having gone 9 for 13 in his last 3 games. He also leads the league in steals.

Organizational record for the year: 158-150.

Full-season teams (at the break): 148-132.

[mace]

Tuesday, June 17: Juan Silverio, Louisville . . . 5-5, 2 2B, 2 R. Not a bad Triple-A debut for the 23-year-old third baseman (Redszone prospect #46). Had a quarter of the Bats' 20 hits.

Also notable on a night for debuts and all-stars and timely rain in Montana . . .

Pitchers

Ben Lively, Bake: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Started for the winning California League in its all-star game vs. the Carolina League.

Miguel Estevez, Rojos: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. A 20-year-old righthander in his maiden season.

Jefry Sierra, Bill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Former infielder-outfielder picked up a save in his first duty as a full-time pitcher. Got an assist from rain that cut the game short after 8 innings.

Jeremy Kivel, Bill: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Season debut for the hard-throwing righty (RZ #19).

Soid Marquez, Bill: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. A tall, 19-year-old Venezuelan.

Tim Crabbe, Lou: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Sv. Second career save, first since 2011.

Hitters

Kyle Waldrop, Bake: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI. Drove in all of the Cal League's runs in a 3-2 victory.

Felix Perez, Lou: 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI. Rolling right along.

Thomas Neal, Lou: 3-5, 4 RBI, SB. 6-12 in last 3 games.

Jason Bourgeois, Lou: 3-6, 3 R.

Donald Lutz, Lou: 2-5, RBI. Also 2 OF assists.

Ruben Gotay, Lou: 2-6, 2B, 2 R.

Ty Washington, Bill: 3-4, HR. From the leadoff spot.

Jimmy Pickens, Bill: 1-2, BB. Recent 15th-rounder from Michigan State.

Aristides Aquino, Bill: 1-3, RBI.

Leandro Santana, Reds: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI. A 17-year-old 3B.

[mace]

I neglected to include the Southern League all-star performances. Rey Navarro, the DH for his squad, was 2-5 with an RBI. Steve Selsky, entering as a sub, was 1-2. Michael Lorenzen threw a scoreless second inning (2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and was the winning pitcher.

Note: Ben Lively's promotion to Pensacola will be sending him back to the town where he grew up.

Waldrop, needless to say, was the MVP of the California-Carolina game, which is summarized here: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp..._l110&sid=l110

Also: Josh Smith didn't have a notable outing for Louisville, but he did run his record to 8-1.

[OGB]

I was in an accident and had surgery yesterday. I'm currently in a hospital bed stuffed full of Percocet. If someone can take it or trade me...

[WrongVerb]

I was in an accident and had surgery yesterday. I'm currently in a hospital bed stuffed full of Percocet. If someone can take it or trade me...

Rough. Get better soon.

[OGB]

Rough. Get better soon.

Thanks. I should be okay. I think I avoided nerve damage in my right arm.

[mace]

OGB, we're going to have to establish a DL on your behalf. Take care of yourself. And thanks for thinking of this in your circumstances. I'll cover today.

[mace]

Wednesday, June 18: Ty Washington, Billings . . . 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. The little Texan is off to a .462 start as the Mustangs' leadoff man. He's 6 for 9 in his last 2 games. Last night, Washington (43rd round, 2011) delivered a game-tying, 2-run double in the ninth, setting up the winner on a wild pitch.

Also notable on a day when the Bats continued to bash and the Dominican teams continued not to . . .

Hitters

Tucker Barnhart, Lou: 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI. See, he can hit. That makes 8 for 11 over the last 3 games.

Juan Silverio, Lou: 3-5, 3 R, RBI. Two early hits made him 7-7 in AAA before a couple outs ensued.

Kris Negron, Lou: 2-4, 2 2B, R, 4 RBI.

Jason Bourgeois, Lou: 3-5, 2 R.

Steve Selsky, Lou: 2-4, 3B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI. Replaced Felix Perez, who left the game after a collision with Thomas Neal.

Thomas Neal: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI. Did you know that, back in California, Neal played traveling ball on the same team as Leake and Strasburg?

Brian O'Grady, Bill: 2-3, BB, 2 R, RBI. Started 2-2 in his pro debut. First baseman out of Rutgers.

Josciel Veras, Bill: 1-3, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI. Little 2B out of Cumberland U.

Shedric Long, Bill: 1-3, BB. Catcher had a key bunt single in 9th-inning rally.

Francis Azcona, Rojos: 3-4, 2B, RBI.

Leandro Santana, Reds: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI. 17-year-old 3B up to .304.

Derik Capitillo, Reds: 1-3, 3B, 2 BB, R. First baseman, a 19-year-old from Venezuela, has assumed the cleanup role.

Tomas De Los Santos, Reds: 2-4, 2B, BB.

Erick Gabo, Reds: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI.

Gabriel Ovalle, Reds: 1-3, 2 BB. SS and leadoff man, 19, is a switch-hitter.

Pitchers

Adolfi Telleria, Reds: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K.

Justin Freeman, Lou: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

Jumbo, Lou: Sv (18).

Jose Williams, Bill: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. For whatever reason, the 6-5 righty (23, D.R.) didn't pitch last year.

Wagner Gomez, Bill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Former catcher got the win.

. . . .

Dayton, Bakersfield and Pensacola begin their second halves tonight, replete with roster changes.

[OGB]

OGB, we're going to have to establish a DL on your behalf. Take care of yourself. And thanks for thinking of this in your circumstances. I'll cover today.

Well, Ive been doing nothing but watching tv, sleeping, and trying to surf the internet with one hand since getting out of surgery 32 hours ago.

[mace]

Thursday, June 19: Daniel Paula, Billings . . . 4-6, 2 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI, SB. The 21-year-old catcher (DH last night) batted third for a team that surprisingly (at least to me) looks to be high-scoring (20 hits last night, 24 runs the last 2 nights). In 85 rookie at-bats two years ago, Paula hit .341 for the AZL Reds.

Also notable on a night when the former Bakersfield studs got a winning start for Pensacola . . .

Pitchers

Amir Garrett, Day: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K. The basketballer has been slam-dunking over his last 7 starts. In 5 of them (between 5 and 7 IP), he has given up 3 hits or fewer.

Daniel Corcino, Pen: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K. ERA at 3.47.

Dan Langfield, Day: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. Has given up 1 earned run in his last 11 IP, with 17 K.

Scott Brattvet, Alejandro Chacin, Joel Bender, Day: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

Drew Hayes, Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Contreras, Pen: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Wahoo bullpen shaping up nicely.

Drew Cisco, Bake: 6 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.

Alexander Perez, Rojos: 6 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Tough gig, pitching for that club.

Pedro Damian, Reds: 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Unfortunately, he's 21.

Hector Jimenez, Reds: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Brennan Bernardino, Bill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Recent round-26 pick.

Hitters

Rossmel Perez, Pen: 2-4, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 4 RBI. Catcher checks in at .338, with an .859 OPS.

Seth Mejias-Brean, Pen: 1-2, 2 BB, R. Batted cleanup for the Wahoos.

Cory Thompson, Bill: 4-6, 2B, 3 R. Young SS (RZ prospect #39) is batting in 2-hole.

Aristides Aquino, Bill: 3-6, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI. Using those tools.

Alex Greer, Bill: 3-5, HR, 3 RBI. Didn't play last year after being drafted in a low round out of juco.

Brian O'Grady, Bill: 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI. Drafted as a first baseman, played third.

Garrett Boulware, Bill: 2-4, R, RBI.

Nick Benedetto, Bill: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 SB.

Daniel Pigott, Day: 2-4, 2B, R.

Tanner Rahier, Day: 2-4, 2B, BB, RBI. Double tied the game in the 9th.

Phil Ervin, Day: HR (3). Gave Dragons the lead in the 11th.

Joe Hudson, Day: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI. Double drove in the game-winners in the 12th.

David Vidal, Bake: GS, BB, 5 RBI.

Beau Amaral, Bake: 2-4, R.

Yovan Gonzalez, Bake: 2-3.

Francis Azcona, Rojos: 2-5, 2B, 3B.

Tomas De Los Santos, Reds: 2-5, R.

. . . .

The AZL Reds get going tonight. Looking forward to following, among others, Jacob Constante, Ty Boyles, Mark Armstrong, Jarrett Freeland, Shane Mardirosian, Hector Vargas, Reydel Medina, and Jose Siri. . . . Anybody know why Miguel Mendez disappeared from the roster? Or why Luis Gonzalez, the Venezuelan pitcher, isn't on it?

[RED VAN HOT]

Good point on Langfield. His 3.32 ERA may not be eye popping. However, if I cherry pick a little and remove a disastrous 1/3 inning on May 18 (his third appearance and when he had not pitched for 9 days), his ERA drops to 1.69; K/9 is 13.5; and BAA is .169. I suspect that the Reds are simply going slowly with him following last year's surgery. He seems to be pitching every 3-5 days. I think he should still be in the mix as a top starting pitcher prospect.

[RedsfaninMT]

Friday: June 20. Player of the Day . . . Leandro Santana, DH, DSL Reds: 3-5, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI for the only team in the Reds system to pull off a win last night (Dominican Summer League, who won-13-3)

Pitchers:

Brett Marshall in his return from the DL, 5IP, 3 H, 2BB, 2K 0 ER

Curtis Partch: 1 IP, 2 K 0 ER

Fabian Williamson, 2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K

Sal Roman0: 6 IP, 2H, 3 K, 0 ER

Wendolyn Bautisa: 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 4K

Hitters

Yorman Rodriguez: 2-4, HR (3), BB, runner-up

Seth Mejias Brean: 1-2, 2 BB

Juan Duran: 1-3, 2B (10), BB

Juan Silva: 2-4, 2B (13), BB, SB (33)

David Vida: 2-4, BB, 2K

Juan Perez, 2-4, 2B, BB, 2K

Jamodrick McGruder: 2-5, 2B (6)

Daniel Pigot: 2-3, 2BB

Daniel Jimenez: 2-4, 2B (3)

Oviel Florentino: 2-4

Jonathon Martin: 3-4

Gavin LaValley: 1-3, BB

Derik Captillo: 2-5

Jose DeLuna: 2-5, 2B (3)

Cesar Mejia: 2-4, 2BB

Gabrial Ovalle: 2-6