Minor League Transactions

[redsmetz]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/...ions-jan-4-10/

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Jean Duque, RHP Tim Gustafson (re-signed), RHP John Holdzkom, C Rafael Vera

I went looking for info on Duque just because the name intrigued me (sounded French, but he's from Venezuela.

Here's a piece from a blog last season in his U.S. debut season:

http://www2.tricities.com/blogs/bhc-...er-ar-1268705/

[redsmetz]

But seriously . . .

His fastball sits at 93/94 and tops out at 98 MPH. My research shows he throws a change and maybe a cutter. He apparently had an issue with staying academically eligible for baseball in high school in addition to getting in trouble with his college coach. He's best-suited to be a power reliever, but his mechanics are apparently inconsistent and result in him having a major lack of control.

Here's a detailed scouting report following one game back in '08. Of course, for minor league players, that's an eternity ago:

http://scoutingthesally.com/john-hol...outing-report/

[cinreds21]

The Cincinnati Reds have released right-handed pitcher Kyle McCulloch. The 2006 first rounder split 2011 between Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Louisville, posting a combined 6-8 record with a 5.25 ERA in 32 games.
The Reds acquired the Texas native last March from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations.

[Doc. Scott]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/...s-jan-11-17-2/

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Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Ryne Reynoso (Gary (American Assoc.)), LHP Ron Mahay, LHP Clay Zavada, C Dioner Navarro, 1B Joel Guzman (Chunichi (Japan))
Released: RHP Kyle McCulloch

The Reds already have significant lefty presence in their bullpen—Sean Marshall, Bill Bray and possibly Aroldis Chapman—so Ron Mahay and Clay Zavada could be vying for third lefty honors.

Former Dodgers top prospect Joel Guzman touched down in the Rays, Nationals and Orioles organizations prior to playing in Japan last year. He led the Eastern League with 33 homers in ’10, but didn't fare nearly so well in Nippon Professional Baseball, batting .181/.219/.298 with seven homers and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 9-to-81 in 238 at-bats.
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Guzman, a former top-ten Baseball America prospect back in 2005: http://www.baseball-reference.com/mi...d=guzman001irv

Reynoso, 27 in March, was a 26th-round pick by Atlanta in 2006 out of Boston College. He pitched in relief his first full pro year, then switched to starting in 2008-2009 while making it as far as AAA Gwinnett. The Red Sox signed him in mid-2010 after his release by the Braves and moved him back to the bullpen in Double-A. Without a gig for 2011, he pitched relatively unsuccessfully in indie ball. It's possible he's an injury-comeback situation.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...P=Ryne-Reynoso

[texasdave]

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/roster_nri.jsp?c_id=cin

From www.cincinnatireds.com. A list of non-roster invitees. In case anyone is interested.

[corkedbat]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/...s-jan-11-17-2/

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Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Ryne Reynoso (Gary (American Assoc.)), LHP Ron Mahay, LHP Clay Zavada, C Dioner Navarro, 1B Joel Guzman (Chunichi (Japan))
Released: RHP Kyle McCulloch

The Reds already have significant lefty presence in their bullpen—Sean Marshall, Bill Bray and possibly Aroldis Chapman—so Ron Mahay and Clay Zavada could be vying for third lefty honors.

Former Dodgers top prospect Joel Guzman touched down in the Rays, Nationals and Orioles organizations prior to playing in Japan last year. He led the Eastern League with 33 homers in ’10, but didn't fare nearly so well in Nippon Professional Baseball, batting .181/.219/.298 with seven homers and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 9-to-81 in 238 at-bats.
---

Guzman, a former top-ten Baseball America prospect back in 2005: http://www.baseball-reference.com/mi...d=guzman001irv

Reynoso, 27 in March, was a 26th-round pick by Atlanta in 2006 out of Boston College. He pitched in relief his first full pro year, then switched to starting in 2008-2009 while making it as far as AAA Gwinnett. The Red Sox signed him in mid-2010 after his release by the Braves and moved him back to the bullpen in Double-A. Without a gig for 2011, he pitched relatively unsuccessfully in indie ball. It's possible he's an injury-comeback situation.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...P=Ryne-Reynoso

I really wanted the Reds to acquire Guzman from the Dogers at one time, but that was a long time ago. IIRC, he was a tall MI prospect at the time. Sounds like possible depth for the Bats, but not much else.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/...ons-jan-18-25/

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: LHP Wilkin de la Rosa (Camden (Atlantic)), 2B James Ewing, OF Willie Harris
Traded: LHP Jeremy Horst to Phillies for SS Wilson Valdez

[Gallen5862]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/stati...rs/cards/31977

James Ewing, 2b

Proper Name: James Ewing
Born: Oct. 27, 1986 in Beaumont, Texas
High School: Westbrook
College: Southern Mississippi
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190
Bats: R Throws: R

[cinreds21]

Former Reds minor leaguer Chris McMurray signed with the Rockies.

[camisadelgolf]

In other ex-Red news, the Orioles signed Dennys Reyes, and the Indians signed Fred Lewis.

[lollipopcurve]

Wilken de la Rosa is an interesting pickup. Former Yankees prospect as on OF, converted to pitching just a few years ago. Lefthander with excellent numbers in the minors. Yankees had him on their 40-man, but then dropped him after a "B-12" controversy involving him and Ivan Nova. Check out this scouting report:

http://www.theyankeeu.com/2009/05/pr...e-la-rosa-3304

[muddie]

Cleveland acquired Russ Canzler, the top player in the International League last season, on Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. I'm surprised they were able to get this guy without giving up a player.

Canzler, only 25, played rightfield, leftfield, third base and first base last season for Triple-A Durham, where he batted .314 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games for the Bulls. Canzler made his major league debut for the Rays on Sept. 11 and had one hit in three games.

[_Sir_Charles_]

The Reds have signed right-hander Wirfin Obispo to a minor league contracts, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Signed as an 18-year-old shortstop by the Red Sox in 2002, Obispo was converted to pitching by the Reds in 2004 and put up solid numbers for Cincinnati's Dominican summer league team over the next three seasons. Obispo has since pitched in Japan, posting a 3.25 ERA, a 7.8 K/9 rate and a 3.22 K/BB ratio in 46 games (28 of them starts) with the Yomiuri Giants and the Nippon Ham Fighters.

[lollipopcurve]

The Reds have signed right-hander Wirfin Obispo to a minor league contracts, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Signed as an 18-year-old shortstop by the Red Sox in 2002, Obispo was converted to pitching by the Reds in 2004 and put up solid numbers for Cincinnati's Dominican summer league team over the next three seasons. Obispo has since pitched in Japan, posting a 3.25 ERA, a 7.8 K/9 rate and a 3.22 K/BB ratio in 46 games (28 of them starts) with the Yomiuri Giants and the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Holy moly. Man emerges from black hole.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Now it would be REALLY impressive if they converted him BACK into a shortstop again. :O)