Originally Posted by
Bourgeois Zee
Dayton's doing some odd things with their roster. I suspect most minor league squads are doing something similar, but the Dragons seem to be taking it to another level.
Jose Torres is one of the Reds' top prospects. Elly De La Cruz is as big-time a prospect as the Reds currently have in the minor league system. You typically see the parent club get those guys as many PAs as possible in order to develop them for the major leagues. The positions don't matter all that much, especially if there's a DH in the league. (And there is.)
Yet, Cincinnati has decided to only play Torres 12 games (of their now 20) and 48 ABs and De La Cruz 15 games and 58 ABs. Instead, we get a steady diet of Jonathan Willems (5 games) and Nick Quintana (8 games) at the keystone position. It's baffling, honestly. You've got two of the brightest stars in the system, and the Reds have chosen to dim their light by playing them both at the same position-- and rarely switching positions beyond. Two of the better Dragons hitters-- and two of the top prospects-- have played together on the field in only 8 of the Dragons' first 20 games.
Perhaps that's part of the study Williams did in terms of rest, but it makes absolutely no sense when it comes to in-game development-- and it totally screws paying fans yet again. (What else is new?)
Today, Torres, Hinds, Nelson, and Quintana are sitting the bench.
Yesterday, it was De La Cruz, McGarry, and JV Martinez.
The day before, Torres had a day off.
That'd be really hard to get into a rhythm, IMO, not playing every day.