In case you missed it, Redleg Nation Radio had another show yesterday. If you want to check it out and give it a listen, click here.
Dusty Baker wants to see Billy Hamilton make more contact. We talked a little bit about this quote on Redleg Nation Radio, but Hamilton has 7 strikeouts in 15 at bats now. Clearly at this point in the spring, it means nothing. Still, one concern that has been talked about with Hamilton is his propensity to strike out. Last season he struck out 20% of the time he stepped to the plate in Pensacola. That is awfully high for a player who can’t hit the ball over the fence. Hamilton cutting down on the strikeouts would be a big boost to his offensive value. Hopefully he can work on that in Louisville.
John Fay had this article up over the weekend about the young position players in the system, but it mostly revolves around Donald Lutz and Yorman Rodriguez.
Here is how the minor leaguers have done thus far in spring training, and let me be very clear to note that absolutely none of these numbers mean a darn thing.
| Player | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Neftali Soto | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .313 | .333 | .375 |
| Billy Hamilton | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | .133 | .235 | .133 |
| Donald Lutz | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | .400 | .438 | .667 |
| Ryan LaMarre | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .286 |
| Derrick Robinson | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .214 | .267 | .214 |
| Henry Rodriguez | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .571 | .600 | .714 |
| Denis Phipps | 13 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .231 | .333 | .462 |
| Yorman Rodriguez | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | .231 | .333 | .615 |
| Nevin Ashley | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .111 | .200 | .111 |
| Kristopher Negron | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .625 | .727 | 1.375 |
| Tucker Barnhart | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .167 | .375 | .167 |
| Travis Mattair | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .250 |
| Beau Amaral | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 |
| Seth Mejias-Brean | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
| Zach Vincej | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Jeff Gelalich | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .500 | .000 |
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| Player | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | ERA | WHIP |
| Curtis Partch | 4.2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7.71 | 2.14 |
| Chad Rogers | 4.2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5.79 | 1.07 |
| Tony Cingrani | 4.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9.00 | 1.50 |
| Carlos Contreras | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 6.75 | 2.25 |
| Nick Christiani | 3.2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7.36 | 1.64 |
| Pedro Villarreal | 3.1 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 21.60 | 3.90 |
| Daniel Corcino | 3.0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 9.00 | 2.67 |
| Wilkin De La Rosa | 2.2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6.75 | 1.88 |
| Drew Hayes | 2.2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.00 | 2.25 |
| Ismael Guillon | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.00 | 1.50 |
| Mark Serrano | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 | 0.50 |
| Josh Ravin | 1.2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 21.60 | 3.60 |
| Kyle Lotzkar | 0.2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 54.00 | 6.00 |
Doug, looks like Bailey has really turned the corner. He could very well be what the reds hoped he’d be when they drafted him a ACE.
Just read in a article that Dusty thinks Mez has made some improvements over the winter and is playing very well this ST.
Couldn’t agrree more that Hamilton needs to make more contact. a comment by LeClure mantioned that he already is making the pitchers happy with the ground he covers in CF.
I hope he has, but I am not sure he has yet. He ends the year well almost every year.
Here is the exact qoute from Hal McCoys blog:
Billy Hamilton is going to be a pitcher’s best friend roaming out there between Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce. You can see it already and he doesn’t yet even know what he is doing out there.” — pitcher Sam LeCure.
How does a Louisville rotation of Cingrani, Corcini, Villareal, Gallaraga and Prior sound?
Prior is pretty much a reliever now.
I agree with Fay that short term we are set with our position players. My concern is what happens in 2018. Tough to win with a rookie Catcher, 2B, 3B, SS and RF. Hopefully the Reds extend a couple of contracts so they can break in 1-2 rookies each year.
2018? My concern about 2018 is that I am still alive.
In 2018 I’ll take a line-up of Mesoraco (age 30), Votto (35 still under contract for 4-more years) , Phillips (37 still under contract), Cozart (33), H-Rod (28), Frazier (32), Hamilton(28) and Bruce (31).
That would be okay except that unless they sign extensions Meso, Phillips, Cozart, Frazier and Bruce will all be FA after the 2017 season. Even in 2017 it will be difficult to afford all 5 players.
The Reds will, in time, be forced to do as the Rays do and trade players before they reach free agency. When Ludwick departs after 2014, move Frazier to LF and let Vidal or Mejias-Brean take over at 3B. Then trade Frazier after 2015 and let Winker take over in LF. This or similar moves would spread out the infusion of rookies in the lineup.
I could see the Reds trading Cueto after the 2014 season. An extension will be extremely expensive and not likely. He would bring quite a haul in prospects and the Reds have Corcino, Cingrani and Stephenson waiting in the wings. A Cueto trade could even happen after this season if the Chapman conversion to SP is successful.
Amen Mk on the first part. By 2018, I just hope some of our recent (and future) draft choices turn out to be players. If not, I hope we make some good trades and sign some good free agents and stay away from career ending injuries(especially with the pitchers).
So the Reds won’t make any trades or draft any position players between now and 2018? Come on that is cary to worry about the 2018 Position players!
My concern is not that there are no replacements but rather you replace them all the same year. Both Trades and drafting could solve this problem.
For example if the Reds trade Cueto after this season for Story/Dahl and others then when Story is ready (2016/2017) you trade Cozart. With Dahl in the system you don’t need to rush Winker and he can replace Bruce in 2018 (as could Gelalich). When Vidal/Mejias-Brean is ready you trade Frazier.
By trading players before FA you keep costs down for the 2015-2017 seasons and you help maintain a steady stream of replacements.
You are also right that the Reds will draft players to replace Phillips/Meso/Cozart … if trades don’t occur. I would prefer 1-2 position players per year than 5 of 8 position players being a rookie in 2018. Contract extensions are also an option but that assumes the Reds have the funds available to do so.
Nice to see Lamarre almost hit it out of the park yesterday driving in the Reds only run with a double!
Doug, this is a comment reported on Doc’s column in Cincinnati.com.He was interviewing Votto. it gives you a little ensight to the the mindset of a baseball player. Explains the pressures associated with being a lower round pick and your chances for makng it in the bigs.Draft status plays a role. As a big Leaguer, once you sign that big money deal it gives you peace of mind and enables you to relieve the pressure and focus in a more reaxed state on your game. Explains a little as to why Prospects and established players may be handled a little differently. Here is what he said,
He realizes he has the time, both to focus and tinker, that other players, either struggling or on the cusp, do not. “Since the day I was drafted, I’ve always had the luxury of knowing I was going to get a pass,’’ Votto explains. “Give me $600,000 out of high school, I get to make mistakes for several years. If I have a good year, it buys me another couple years. Now, I can do whatever I want. My spot’s going to be available every day.’’