Daryl Thompson and Travis Wood both made their first starts at their new levels last night. The 22 year old Thompson spent his first 7 weeks in Chattanooga before getting the promotion to Louisville. Wood, 21 years old, spent the first 7 weeks with Sarasota before getting the promotion to Chattanooga along with teammate Jordan Smith.
Thompson is generally the forgotten piece of the Reds/Nationals trade from 2006 but he had been moving up the ladder ever since he got here. In less than 2 years he has gone from Dayton to Louisville. Last night was his first start for the Bats and his debut was more of the same. He went out and gave 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks and allowed just 1 unearned run while striking out 6 against Columbus. Columbus just happens to be the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Think they wouldn’t like to have Thompson back right about now?
Travis Wood (Photo by Tim Evearitt) made his start down in Chattanooga against Montgomery. The left hander was the 2nd round pick in 2005 out of Bryant HS in Arkansas. He has moved methodically through the system, almost a level per year to this point. His debut in AA was a good one. He allowed just 1 run on 2 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings and he struck out 8 batters. He was working 88-92 MPH with his fastball, going to the mid 80’s with his cutter and using his change up that has been labeled as one of the best in the minor leagues in the past to keep hitters off balance.
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Tom // May 29, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Doug:
It’s great to hear good news about Wood. Sounds like he is past his arm problems. If he’s hitting 92, is that where he was when he was drafted? It seems to me that after he signed, his velocity dropped and there were concerns about his mechanics.
As far as Thompson, it seems like he has made everyone forget about Homer Bailey. Who do you see getting the #5 starter spot once Belisle gets banished to the pen — Thompson or Bailey?
2 Kyle // May 29, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I would think that Thompson is right behind Josh Fogg in the pecking order for Belisle’s spot. Thompson is already on the 40 man roster so that puts him ahead of Maloney and he’s throwing better than Bailey right now.
How do you think Wood and Thompson will rank in the system at years end? Could either one crack BA’s top 100?
3 Doug Gray // May 29, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Tom,
His first year in the GCL and Billings, Travis was throwing 91-95 MPH, but the Reds cleaned up his mechanics and it caused a loss in velocity. Still, its for the better. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were actually Maloney before either of them to be honest. He has been very good and it would give them a left handed starter.
Kyle,
I would think if they keep it up, Thompson for sure would be a Top 100 guy and Wood might be hurt because of his size and miss out, but if its up to me I would still rank Wood ahead of Thompson at this point.
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