The DSL Reds already won today, 8-5. SS Johnny Ascaino (.333/ .459/ .437/ .896), big-time bonus baby 17-year-old OF Ariel Almonte (.275/ .404/ .383/ .787), C Diego Omana (.365/ .443/ .462/ .904 in just over 50 ABs), and 22/ 3B Iverson Espinoza (.333/ .440/ .512/ .952) all had multiple hits on the day. Espinoza also stole his 4th base of the season as well.
The Arizona Complex League Reds start the night with the best record in the Reds' minor league system-- and 8 games behind the league-leading Mariners and Rockies in 6th place. Ick. Oh, well. At least there's a good chance the Reds will hit a HR. They lead the league in round trippers by 11, with an even 60. They're also second in stolen bases and 2B and top the league, unsurprisingly, in slugging percentage. On the pitching side of the ledger, they rank 2nd in the league in K/9.
Samuel Adam Benschoter, a 2021 NDFA from Michigan State, makes his low A Daytona debut tonight. Benschoter pitched 4 innings in Arizona and has yet to give up a run. If he continues to strike out 20.3 K/9, I suspect he'll be just fine. Benschoter is the 20th Tortuga to start a game at pitcher this season. That seems like a lot. His 10-letter last name beat Frainger Aranguren by one letter in the longest name on the back of the jersey list.
Not to be outdone, James Marinan will make his High A debut tonight in Lake County at Classic Park. Marinan's been up and down all season. Check that, he's been up and down his entire career. It would seem odd to promote a guy with an ERA north of 5.00, but the Reds are developing pitchers pretty well right now. Over his last two starts, he's thrown 10 IP, given up only a single run, 6 H, 3 BB, and K'ed 8. This, after being demoted to the bullpen for a couple relief appearances in August.
Elsewhere, Chattanooga tries to stay relevant in the AA South Division. They're currently only two games behind the Birmingham Barons for 2nd place in the (wait for it...) North Division of the Southern League. (Ugh.) No one has a clue who's pitching tonight, but it's probably not another guy who's making his debut. Pitty. the Lookouts are currently three games above .500.
The Louisville Bats are also playing tonight, but at this point, only parents and wives really care. They're playing out the string-- and have been since, oh, mid-May. Believe it or not, the Bats are not in last place in their division. That honor belongs to the Iowa Cubs. (Good. I hate the Cubs.) Bats' pitching has actually been pretty good all season. They rank fourth in the 20-team league in ERA, K/9, H/9, BB/9, and pretty much every other statistic. It's hitting where the Bats remain silent. Tonight, Tommy Milone toes the rubber. Milone is one of 27 Bat pitchers who've pitched in the major leagues. They used 38 pitchers this season. Both of those are a whole bunch.