Louisville 8, Indianapolis 2 (AAA)
–25 y/o CF Chris Dickerson had a big game in this battle of current and past Reds affiliates, going 3-5 with a HR and 2 runs scored. On the season, Dickerson is hitting .263/.353/.415 between AA and AAA.
–Starting pitcher Elizardo Ramirez had a good outing, going 5 innings while giving up only 2 ER. The Lizard struck out 8 and walked just one. He got the win to go 4-3 with a 3.74 ERA on the season. At 24 years old, I still think Ramirez has a decent shot at being an effective starter at the back of the Reds rotation.
–A host of Bats had two hits, including 2B Aaron Herr, 1B Tonys Gutierrez, LF (?) Anderson Machado, and 3B Luis Bolivar.
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Chattanooga 7, West Tennessee 5 (AA)
–21 year old Johnny Cueto made his last start in what turned out to be a brilliant follow-up campaign to his breakout season last year. Cueto got the victory to go 6-3 with Chattanooga, going 7 innings and giving up two earned runs. Cueto struck out 8 and walked none. This kid is a stud.
Cueto had an ERA of 3.07 over three levels this year, striking out 170 while walking just 34. I see no reason whatsoever that Cueto and Homer Bailey shouldn’t be considered serious candidates to join the Reds rotation in 2008.
–22 y/o CF Sean Henry went 2-5 with a homer and a double. On the season, Henry is hitting .287/.352/.443 over two levels.
–24 year old 2B Drew Anderson went 2-4 with a triple and a walk. He’s at .250/.316/.405 on the year.
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Sarasota (A+) begins the Florida State League playoffs tonight against the Clearwater Thrashers. Ben Jukich, who was the Redleg Nation Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July 2007, is the probable starter for the Reds.
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–DOTF favorite Brandon Waring, recently promoted from Billings (Rookie), got into the game as a pinch hitter and proceeded to do what he does best: drive in 2 runs with a single. His OPS at A ball is now 2000. Not bad.
–Former first round draft pick Drew Stubbs had a good game, going 2-3 with a double and a triple. On the year, the 22 y/o CF is hitting .270/.364/.421. Not great, and not awful, but certainly less than we had hoped for out of such a highly-rated prospect.
–Dayton begins the first round of the Midwest League playoffs tomorrow night, taking on South Bend in a three-game series.
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Great Falls 5, Billings 3 (Rookie)
–No outstanding performances here, frankly. Check out the box score if you are interested in the specifics.