A quick late season look at what’s going on down on the farm.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Reds finally dipped down into their pool of good SP pitching prospects at AA and promoted Jon Moscot, who had a 3.13 ERA in AA, to the Bats. He did well in his first start allowing just 2 R over 5.1 IP, both runs came on solo HRs by Andrew Lambo. Donald Lutz (.250/.315/.413/.727) has hit .318 over his last 10 games to bring his AAA numbers up to match the International league average OPS of .728. Recently acquired Jake Elmore was hitting .282/.374/.365/.739 in the PCL when acquired has struggled since joining the Bats where he posted a line of .245/.350/.245/.595. Note he’s still posting a .350 OBP while struggling, which is below his minor career OBP of .385.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
In the midseason call up watch, 3B Seth Mejias-Brean continues to search for his swing at AA with a .227/.323/.314/.637 line. Note he’s still exhibiting plate discipline with a solid OBP despite his struggles. OF Kyle Waldrop is still hitting the ball well with a .280/.333/.462/.795 line a AA. So who do you want in the pool to guess who will be the next AA SP promoted among Michael Lorenzen (3.01), Daniel Corcino (4.13), and Robert Stephenshon (4.48)?
High A Bakersfield Blaze
CF Junior Arias was activated from the DL. Arias was hitting a robust .394/.459/.606/1.066 over his first 37 PA before being injured early this season. The 22 year old put up a .792 OPS over 290 PA in Dayton last season and then a .679 OPS over 230 PA at Bakersfield. Sean Buckley (.324/.373/.529/.903) continues his hot hitting. Daniel Wright has a 4.01 ERA after 15 GS at Bakersfield where the league average ERA is 4.64.
Low A Dayton Dragons
OF Phil Ervin (.235/.306/.368/.674) has his August OPS up to .706 after posting .870 in June and .729 in July. Alex Blandino is hitting a very good .300/.385/.463/.848 since his promotion to A. Nick Travieso has a 3.17 ERA after 23 starts. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the high offense California league next season.
Rookie Billings Mustangs
RF Aristides Aquino (.300/.352/.591/.943) continues to pace the team at the plate. 3B Taylor Sparks (..245/.362/.503/.865) and 1B Argenis Aldazoro (.306/.341/.506/.847) are both hitting well also. Wyatt Strahan (3.16) appears on pace to be SP for the Dragons next year after 11 GS.
Rookie AZL Reds
3B Gavin LaValley (..311/.384/.467/.851) continues to pace the AZL Reds at the plate. LHP Ty Boyles, 11 G with 4 GS, has a 3.57 ERA over 40 IP with 45 K.