The Reds made some acquisitions to restock the upper part of the farm this week. Let’s take a look at the new players and other happenings down on the farm.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Reds brought in some reinforcements for Bats starting pitching staff after the departure of Chien-Ming Wang last week. Wang is one of eighteen pitchers to make a start for the Bats this season and leads the Bats in GS with 19. To help fill the void the Reds acquired both Scott Diamond and Dylan Axelrod. LHP Scott Diamond is 27 years old and has 58 Major League starts under his belt over the last three seasons with Minnesota. In 2012 he put up a 3.54 ERA in 173 IP over 27 starts for the Twins. He struggled last season with a 5.43 ERA over 131 IP over 24 starts. This season in AAA he’s recorded a 6.52 ERA in 80 IP over 15 starts before being released by the Twins. He’s made one start so far for the Reds and gave up 2 R over 6 IP. RHP Dylan Axelrod is a 28 years old and has 30 starts in 48 games with the White Sox over the last three seasons. He has 5.36 ERA over 198 IP in the Majors thus far. This season in AAA he put up a 4.50 ERA 88 IP over 16 starts before being purchased by the Reds. In one start since coming to the Reds he allowed one run over 7.1 IP. The Reds also signed 31 year old IF Donnie Murphy after he was released by the Texas Rangers. The RH batter has saw time at 3B, 2B, and SS with 6 different Major League clubs since 2004. He’s put up a .212/.279/.395/.674 line over 931 PA in the majors. He’s struggled thus far with a .167/.211/.333/.544 line over his first 19 PA with the Bats.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Jesse Winker (.208/.326/.351/.677) and Seth Mejias-Brean (.235/.348/.296/.644) are both still trying to make adjustments at the AA level. It is nice to see them both still drawing BB at a good rate in AA though. Ben Lively (3.82) is holding his own after 6 GS, but oddly enough has recorded 25 BB over 30.2 IP after only 16 BB over 79 IP at A+ this season.
High A Bakersfield Blaze
Sebastian Elizalde (.301/.377/.496/.872) is hitting really well again in 130 PA at A+ after putting up a .311/.439/.503/.941 line in 229 PA at A Dayton.
Low A Dayton Dragons
Phil Ervin, who showed signs of life in June (.870 OPS) after a horrendous April (.561) and May (.593), has turned his July (.836) numbers around. First round 2014 draft pick Nick Howard has made two relief appearances since being assigned to Dayton and has yet to allow a base runner while recording 3 SO over 2 IP.
Rookie Billings Mustangs
Second round 2014 draft pick 3B Taylor Sparks (.304/.437/.609/1.045) continues to hit well after 87 PA. RF Aristides Aquino (.957 OPS), SS Alex Blandino (.958), and CF Brian O’Grady (.929) are all hitting well above the Pioneer League average of .788 as well.
Rookie AZL Reds
3B Gavin LaValley (.295/.376/.453/.829) continues to hit well. 2B Hector Vargas (.324/.324/.485/.809) is off to a good start as well, despite drawing 0 BB in his first 68 PA.