Hitter of the Month - Chris Valaika (Sarasota)
Chris Valaika is making his second go around in the FSL and he is making good of it this year. In the pitchers league the shortstop is leading the league in Batting Average, slugging percentage, OPS, RBI and is second in HR. He is hitting .384/.398/.589 with 8 doubles, 5 HR, 16 runs scored and 27 RBI.
Other nominees: Todd Frazier, Sean Henry, Shaun Cumberland and Keltavious Jones.
Starting Pitcher of the Month - Daryl Thompson (Chattanooga)
Daryl Thompson has burst onto the scene this year. He leads the Southern League in ERA, WHIP and is second in strikeouts. The right hander is 2-1 in 5 starts with a 0.57 ERA over 31.1 innings while allowing just 20 hits and 4 walks. He has struck out 36 batters and opponents are hitting just .185 against him.
Other nominees: Homer Bailey, Justin Lehr, Jordan Smith and Luis Montano.
Relief Pitcher of the Month - Ramon Geronimo (Sarasota)
Ramon Geronimo made his US debut for Dayton last year and pitched well, but this year he is off to a great start for Sarasota. He has pitched in 11 games, covering 13.2 innings where he has allowed just 5 hits, 3 walks and he has struck out 18 batters. Opponents are hitting just .106 against him.
Other Nominees: Jeff Jeffords, Robert Manuel, Jon Adkins and Jim Brower.
Thursday, 1. May 2008
It seems like there are many guys that deserve promotion in our system or started out lower than you would expect. Ithink the Reds should get rid of some of the non-prospects in AAA to allow movement. We have have several ex-MLBs that are clogging up the works. I know it is nice to have them in case of injuries on the big club. To me one or two position players is OK. But we have Green, Cabrara, Phillips, Barker. The Louisville rotation is older than the Reds rotation. Roenicke should be in AAA IMO.
Thursday, 1. May 2008
Given Roenicke’s command issues early on this year, I would keep him in AA until he starts showing some more success there in that department.
Thursday, 1. May 2008
Congrats Doug, you got some props from Trent on his blog today … I miss his blog with the Enquirer. But this could get you a lot more traffic here. Concur with your players of the month. Those are the ones I’d have gone with also.
Friday, 2. May 2008
Trent is good at what he does. I was real glad when he got to stay in town and do sports coverage.