Robert Stephenson got the call up to the big leagues again for another spot start and turned in a very nice performance. Stephenson was immediately sent back down to AAA Louisville to stop his service time and arbitration clocks from ticking any further. RH RP Drew Hayes got the call up to take Stephenson’s 25 man roster spot. Hayes (6.23 ERA in 4.1 IP) is struggling thus far at Louisville, but put up a nice 2.95 ERA in 58 IP there last season. Keyvius Sampson was DFA to make room on the 40 man roster for Hayes. Let’s look at some more news and notes from around the Reds minor leagues.
AAA Louisville Bats
IF Jermaine Curtis is off to a great start with a 1.171 OPS in his first 21 AB. CF Bryson Smith has a .821 OPS over his first 27 AB. LF Jesse Winker has a .350/.438/.375 /.813 slash line after his first 40 AB at AAA. Winker is hitting for average and showing his great batting eye, but not yet exhibiting any power. SS Jose Peraza is hitting .326/.354/.391/.745. Peraza is also 0 for 3 in SB attempts.
The Bats’ have used 8 SP over their first 10 games. RH Josh Smith has a 0.00 ERA after his first two starts. Smith has allowed just 1 R, 0 ER, over his first 11 IP. Robert Stephenson has a 1.50 ERA after his one AAA start. Cody Reed put up a 3.86 ERA in his only start before landing on the DL with a cut on his finger. RH RP Layne Somsen has allowed just one run over his first 6.2 IP. JC Ramirez (5 IP) and Pedro Villarreal (4.2 IP) have yet to allow an earned run this season.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
CF Beau Amaral continues to lead the Blue Wahoos at the plate with a .836 OPS. IF/OF Tony Renda (.716 OPS) and C Chad Wallach (.729 OPS) are off to good starts as well. Phillip Ervin (.650 OPS) has a .333 OPS that is boosted by his 4 HBP. Ervin also has 4 SB without being caught. Alex Blandino (.279 OPS) has struggled over his first 21 AB.
The Blue Wahoos starting rotation is stacked and starting off as expected. Amir Garrett (2.00 ERA), Nick Travieso (1.86 ERA), Rookie Davis (0.82 ERA), Sal Romano (3.38 ERA), Jackson Stephens (3.12 ERA) are all off to great starts. Travieso has been placed on the DL with a groin injury. Alejandro Chacin has been unscored on over 5 IP and has recorded 2 S.
High A Daytona Tortugas
LF/DH Angelo Gumbs (.900 OPS) is off to a great start at Daytona. It will be interesting to see if the former 2nd round pick can continue his new found success at A+. LF Brian O’Grady (.783 OPS) and 1B Avain Rachal (.891 OPS) are still hitting well also. Struggling to start the season at A+ are RF Aristides Aquino (.507 OPS), 3B Taylor Sparks (.490 OPS), and SS Blake Trahan (.318 OPS).
The Tortuga’s starting rotation is off to a pretty good start. Keury Mella (3.68 ERA), Tyler Mahle (2.87 ERA), Wyatt Strahan (4.08 ERA), and Tejay Antone (2.70 ERA) lead the way. RH RP Jacob Ehret has a 2.08 ERA over 8.2 IP with 2 S.
Low A Dayton Dragons
OF Ed Charlton (.769 OPS) is off to a good start after joining the Dragons a week into the season. 1B James Vasquez (.820 OPS) continues to hit at A.  SS Luis Gonzalez is has a .800 OPS after joining the Dragons from the DL. 2B Shed Long (.768 OPS) has cooled off just a bit from a very hot start to the season. C Tyler Stephenson (.475 OPS) continues to struggle at the plate in full season ball.
The Dragon’s starting rotation continues to struggle as RH Franderlyn Romero leads the staff with a 4.50 ERA. RH RP Jeremy Kivel has a 1.93 ERA over 4.2 IP with 1 S. RH RP Austin Orewiler has put up a 1.00 ERA in 9 IP out of the bullpen.