The pitching reinforcements are just about ready to arrive. It may be just in time as recent rotation addition Jon Moscot (4.02 ERA) reported soreness in his non-pitching shoulder in last night’s start. With Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani, and John Lamb all nearing the end of their rehab assignments there could be some upcoming roster moves that may result in players like JC Ramirez and Drew Hayes landing back in AAA Louisville. The much anticipated return of these pitchers will definitely bolster the Reds staff and the depth at the AAA level.
AAA Louisville Bats
The International League hitters are averaging .252/.322/.362/.684. The Bats have three players above that mark, led by 28 year old IF Jermaine Curtis who has a great 1.082 OPS. LF Jesse Winker (.766 OPS) and SS Juan Perez (.758 OPS) are the other two hitters besting the league average. SS Jose Peraza comes in just below the AAA average mark at .282/.329/.338/.667. In recent roster moves, 32 year old IF/OF Hernan Iribarren, who had a .629 OPS for the Bat’s last year in 458 PA, has rejoined the team.
The International League average ERA is 3.51. Starting pitchers Robert Stephenson (0.75 ERA), Josh Smith ( 0.50 ERA), and Cody Reed (2.79 ERA) are all better than average in the early going. Relievers Chad Rogers (0.00) and Layne Somsen (1.04 ERA) are both off to great starts out of the bullpen.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The Southern League hitters are averaging .251/.329/.362/.691. The Bule Wahoos have four players besting the league average mark. RF Sebastian Elizalde (.855 OPS) and CF Beau Amaral (.836 OPS) are leading the Blue Wahoos at the plate. IF/OF Tony Renda (.703 OPS) and C Chad Wallach (.715 OPS) are off to good starts as well. LF Phillip Ervin (.680 OPS) comes in just below league average. Eric Jagielo (.557 OPS) and Alex Blandino (.513 OPS) continue to struggle.
The Southern League average ERA is 3.84. The Blue Wahoos have a team ERA of 2.24 and have only two players worse than the league average ERA. The Blue Wahoos starting rotation are all besting league average with Amir Garrett (1.46 ERA), Nick Travieso (2.63 ERA), Rookie Davis (1.00 ERA), Sal Romano (3.38 ERA) and Jackson Stephens (3.12 ERA) all throwing well. Alejandro Chacin has been unscored on over 8 IP and has recorded 3 S. Daniel Wright has a 0.55 ERA over 16.1 IP including 2 GS.
High A Daytona Tortugas
The Florida State League hitters are averaging .235/.311/.335/.645. The Tortugas have three hitters above the league average mark. 1B Avain Rachal (.826 OPS), LF/DH Angelo Gumbs (.803 OPS) and LF Brian O’Grady (.756 OPS) are leading the Daytona offense. Struggling to start the season at A+ are RF Aristides Aquino (.605 OPS), 3B Taylor Sparks (.556 OPS), and SS Blake Trahan (.335 OPS).
The Florida State League average ERA is 3.34. Tyler Mahle (3.32 ERA) is the lone starter better than league average. RP Jacob Ehret (1.59 ERA) and RP Jimmy Herget (2.00 ERA) are both pitching well and each have 2 S.
Low A Dayton Dragons
The Midwest League hitters are averaging .244/.316/.336/.652. The Dragons have four hitters above league average. 2B Shed Long (.897 OPS), OF Ed Charlton (.800 OPS), CF Narciso Crook (.768 OPS), and 1B James Vasquez (.752 OPS) are the Dragons players getting it done at the plate. C Tyler Stephenson (.406 OPS) continues to struggle at the plate in A ball.
The Midwest League average ERA is 3.54. The Dragon’s starting rotation continues to struggle as Franderlyn Romero is the only starter better than league average with a 3.16 ERA. RP Jeremy Kivel has a 2.16 ERA 3 S. RP Ariel Hernandez (1.93 ERA) and Manuel Aybar (2.08 ERA) are also pitching well out of the bullpen.