The Reds fell to 2-10 in spring training action yesterday. Fortunately, spring training records mean next to nothing.
Joey Votto has decided that he will be playing in the World Baseball Classic. That opens up an opportunity for Neftali Soto to make a strong impression, both with the Reds and perhaps on other teams who may be looking to add talent via trade. The Reds have said they are considering Soto to play some third base, but he is still most likely to be helpful for the Reds as a trade piece.
Tony Cingrani has an impressive pick-off move and talks about it a little bit with Mark Sheldon. Apparently he had 8 pick-offs in his 16 starts with Pensacola last year. Lefties always have the advantage since they don’t have to turn to throw to first, but still, that is a lot of pick-offs.
Discussion topic for this slow news day: Who is your pick for breakout prospect for 2013 and why do you feel that way?
I will go with Yorman as this being the year he puts it together. I am not saying he is totally back on track, but I think he has put it together enough to have a good year at Bakersfield and general offensive increase you would expect in a player in that league. A mid-season promotion after that should have him at his mental best for the rest of the year.
The Reds fell to 2-10 in spring training action yesterday. Fortunately, spring training records mean next to nothing.
While I agree with the above statement, is there a point (w/l record, team play, etc.) that you would become concerned about the team?
I am not concerned about the results, though I think it just shows that there is a blip in the talent level. High minor leaguers are not comparing well to the depth of other teams generally speaking.
What does concern me is that I have been hearing the same scouting reports that haunted guys last year. They (as a whole) are not recognizing hard sliders. I have read two reports that said this last week and I received the same reports from friends who got to see some live action. hopefully, the team takes measures to help in pitch recognition.
When someone gets hurt, I will get worried. Until then, I am not worried.
What concerns me is not that the Reds are losing but they are being crushed every game.
A month ago my breakout player was Mejias-Brean. Not that he would improve on last years stats but that he would do it over a full year against better competition.
Now I am going with Lutz. He is in shape and has come to impress people. I think he hits 30+ HR.
30 is a lot for Lutz if he gets a promotion around mid-season. Pensacola was incredibly HR friendly last season, but Louisville has typically suppressed home runs. If he stays all year in AA, I think there could be a chance if he gets into a groove.
I am hoping the Reds go the Joey Votto route with Lutz. Let him spend 2013 in AA and 2014 in AAA. There is no spot for him in the majors until 2015 at the earliest. I am hoping he gets to enjoy a full year of success in AA. But you are right if he gets promoted at mid-season his HR could take a hit. That said he hits it far enough that the park will have less of an impact on him as with others.
Wally are you alive. Arizona or bust man. Waiting to hear some news on the games . I know for sure you are attending all games (away and home) share your thoughts my brother. Doug have you heard anything from him
He has posted a few times since being out there, but I do believe it has been a few days.
I was going to say that this post was weak, but then I noticed the picture of Joey Votto and realized that I was mistaken :)
You can still say it. I spent hours last night searching the web for something Reds related to the minors and just flat out couldn’t find anything. With a planned article for tomorrow, I just went with it. It was weak.
What is wrong with Hanigan?
Per Mark Sheldon:
Worth noting
Catcher Ryan Hanigan (sore left oblique) remained out Monday. Hanigan hasn’t played since Friday.
“He’s getting better,” Baker said. “He hit this morning. I would say realistically, two or three [more] days.”
I think the record the final week of spring training could yield some kernels of truth, but until the starting pitchers start throwing 70+ pitches per outing, the games are meaningless.
I’ll take Ryan LaMarre as my breakout player. I’ve been pretty hard on the guy, but given the injuries last year, he can only go up. He won’t set the world on fire in any one category, but he’s gonna turn in an excellent all around season.
Neat video on the Red’s in-season strength and conditioning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3iPAHo4ZDM
I am going with LaMarre as my guy who has the proverbial “light go on” guy. He came in as a CF’er who got great jumps to the ball, I believe they are trying him on LF I think…..he would be a great 4th OF’er if he can put together some good slashes at the plate….talent is there, brain is there, he just needs to put it together in the same season and he will be our Chris Heisey only I think he could be better. It’s nice having someone who can play all 3 OF spots and play them well. That’s hard to find.
If you listen to the games the Reds are getting crushed. But, to paraphrase famous fictional Indians’ Manager Lou Brown, the guys getting crushed are the guys who will be “bagging groceries in a few weeks”, by other guys who will be “bagging groceries in a few weeks”
Yeah. I think we all can admit, that our upper minor leagues aren’t flush with talent at this point in time and those are the guys seeing action for half of the games right now.
The pitchers heading north haven’t been great but not bad either. The hitters on the other hand have really struggled. Votto has done well, Choo and Phillips have been average but the rest of the projected regulars have struggled. There is plenty of time and this is ST but our offense really stinks to this point.
Hanigan .200
Frazier .182
Cozart .133
Ludwick .125
Bruce .071
Honestly, looking at those averages, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean, they’ve still got 3 weeks before they have to start dialing it up. The only exception would be Ludwick, given his slow start last season and all.
Yeah Sultan. In any other year the Exhibition Games would just be starting this week.
I don’t know.
Bailey 0.00 ERA
Chapman 0.00 ERA
Latos 0.00 ERA
Broxton 0.00 ERA
Marshall 0.00 ERA
If you have the Direct TV Sports Package the Reds are on the Angels broadcast today.
Anybody see Mesoraco gun down Trout this afternoon?
My guys to click this season:
Ludovicus Jacobus Maria Van Mil could become a very good reliever. He’s looked pretty good for the Dutch team right now in the WBC, and I bet Price could get his mechanics (thus control) dialed in.
On the offensive side of things, I think Gabriel Rosa could start to pick it up. Can’t really go anywhere but up.
Same can be said for Jonothan Perez (the prospect), who has yet to play since signing, as Rosa.
Perez is only 18 and is expected to throw stateside this year.
It was really hard to watch Josh Ravin this afternoon. I know it is Spring Training but he had no idea where the ball was going out of his hand. He is 0-3 with a 40+ ERA. You could really see the catcher Ashley talking to himself trying to catch him. After 7 years in the system and starting an eighth it might be time to give him an opportunity elsewhere, see what they can get for him, and for his sake hope another coaching staffs approach gets through to him.
How is mes doing now I dont see to many complaints from you mes haters
I don’t think anyone on here hates Mesoraco.