Some notes and observations from down on the farm.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Reds have made a recent rash of minor league player signings. They’ve inked RHP Carlos Marmol, RHP Jair Jurrjens, LHP Matt Maloney, RHP Adam Russell, C Lou Marson, and 1B Shelley Duncan. Recent departures are LHP Jeff Francis, C Max Ramirez, and OF Mike Wilson. Marmol and Jurrjens have both shown various levels of success in the bigs. Marmol is fighting control issues and Jurrgens is battling injuries. Neither has been assigned to a roster as of yet. Maloney and Russell have both been added to the Bat’s roster to bolster a staff that has lost Francis to an Oakland waiver claim, Holmberg to a DL stint for a shoulder strain, and Jumbo Diaz to the temporarily inactive list. While Marson has been yet to be assigned, Duncan is off to slow start with Bat’s. With Marson unassigned, Ramirez released, and Corky Miller on the temporarily inactive list, it will be interesting to see where Marson is placed, best guess here is at AA. Stay tuned to see where everyone lands.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The SP at AA Pensacola continues to be strong. Michael Lorenzen (1.99 ERA) and Jon Moscot (2.44) lead the staff. Top prospects Robert Stephenson (3.26) and Daniel Corcino (3.66) are putting up solid seasons thus far also where the league average ERA is 3.77. It’s a bit puzzling why the Red’s felt the need to stock up on waiver wire releases to bolster the AAA rotation when one would think that at least one if these guys would might be ready for a promotion. Also of note here is that the super toolsy OF duo of Yorman Rodriguez (.245/.288/.343/.630) and Juan Duran (.221/.274/.368/.642) are struggling big time with AA pitching.
High A Bakersfield Blaze
I’m pleased to report that Jesse Winker (.324/.425/.520/.945) continues to hit at A+. I’m hoping that he is a midseason promotion to AA which could help to mark his arrival in the bigs at about a year from now if he continues hitting at AA and AAA. Also of note, catching convert David Vidal (.400/.538/.867/1.405) continues his hot start at the plate. I’ll have to keep my eyes out for information on how his catching skills are coming along.
Low A Dayton Dragons
I don’t think anyone would have scripted Phil Ervin’s (.211/.275/.302/.576) next 222 PA to look like that after his terrific start in professional baseball last year. On a bright note, he has stolen 17 bases without being caught. Let’s hope something clicks soon and he makes the adjustments he needs to make to start looking like the player we saw last season. Also note that Sebastian Elizalde (.326/.456/.556/1.012) continues to put up great numbers at Dayton.