There is lots of talk about big changes coming soon to the Reds pitching staff with Michael Lorenzen to soon return from the DL and slated for the bullpen. Anthony DeSclafani will soon be back from the DL and in the rotation. There are also whispers of Cody Reed and Robert Stephenson possibly getting recalled after they can no longer qualify for Super 2 status. I guess we may soon finally see if the Reds brass can make the hard decisions required for a rebuild as they attempt to sort out roles for the pitching staff. It will be interesting to see what transpires.
We’re a third of the way into the minor league full season schedule now. It’s time to see what is going on down on the farm.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Bats have a 28-23 record and are in 2nd place in the International League West.
The International League hitters are averaging .252/.319/.372/.691.
3B Jermaine Curtis (.326/.440/.465/.905) is just flat out getting it done at the plate. It would be nice if the Reds could reward Curtis with a shot at a bench spot this season. Curtis has as may HBP (9) as Kyle Waldrop does BB. OF Steve Selsky leads the Bats in 2B (12) and SO (38). OF Jesse Winker has more BB (28) than SO (25). SS Jose Peraza leads the club with 4 3B, 7 SB and 6 CS. Sadly, OF Kyle Waldrop and 3B Jermaine Curtis are tied for the club lead with 4 HR.
The International League average ERA is 3.52.
SP Cody Reed has a 2.70 ERA and a 1.029 WHIP over 8 GS. Reed also leads the Bat’s SP with 9.1 SO/9 and 2.1 BB/9. Reed definitely seems to be the most polished starter at AAA thus far. Robert Stephenson leads the SP with a 6.6 H/9, but does have a poor 4.4 BB/9. LH RP Wandy Peralta is off to a good start at AAA with a 2.79 ERA and a 0.828 WHIP over his first 9.2 IP and has yet to walk a batter. Keyvius Sampson is back in the rotation (9 G with 4 GS) and has a 2.13 ERA over 25.1 IP allowing 20 H and 6 BB with 26 SO.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The Blue Wahoos have a 31-21 record and are in 1st place in the Southern League South.
The Southern League hitters are averaging .253/.330/.369/.698.
2B Brandon Dixon went on a two game tear the last two games in May where he went 7 for 9 with 2 2B and 4 HR. Dixon had a horrible April (.241/.274/.293/.567), which he followed with an outstanding May (.342/.400/.724/1.124) to bring his season numbers to .299/.347/.537/.884. OF/1B Kyle Parker, who over his minor league career has a 2.3/1 SO/BB ratio, currently has more BB (23) than SO (17) in 94 PA. Parker’s 23 BB lead the club and he’s played in less than half of the team’s games. It will be interesting to see if he maintains this new approach at the plate. IF/OF Tony Renda (.305/.350/.444/.794) leads the club in 2B (17) and 3B (3). OF Phil Ervin (.230/.350/.412/.762) leads the team with 19 SB with just 2 CS. Ervin also has 8 HBP to lead the club. Eric Jagielo’s 51 SO leads the team.
The Southern League average ERA is 3.82.
SP Amir Garrett (1.79 ERA and 1.061 WHIP in 10 GS) and SP Rookie Davis (1.59 ERA and 0.853 WHIP in 6 GS) lead the staff. Davis is still on the DL with a strained groin. SP Jackson Stephens leads the rotation with just 1.7 BB/9 followed closely by Rookie Davis 1.9 BB/9 and Sal Romano 2.0 BB/9. Sal Romano and Nick Travieso lead the starters with 9.8 SO/9. Romano has a 5/1 SO/BB ratio which lead all Blue Wahoo starters. LH RP Nick Routt has a 0.61 ERA, a 0.682 WHIP, and a 8.3 SO/9.
High A Daytona Tortugas
The Tortugas have a 24-30 record and are in 4th place in the Florida State League North.
The Florida State League hitters are averaging .245/.316/.350/.665.
1B Gavin LaValley (.212/.350/.424/.774) is off to a good start in his first 40 PA since joining the team. RF Aristides Aquino (.256/.322/.421/.743) leads the team’s regulars in HR (6), SO (51), SLG (.421), and OPS (.743). 1B Avian Rachal leads the team’s starters with a .355 OBP. OF/1B Brian O’Grady is the team leader in 3B (3) and BB (26). IF Blake Butler leads the team with 11 2B and a .281 BA.
The Florida State League average ERA is 3.40.
SP Tyler Mahle (3.13 ERA) leads the rotation with a 1.105 WHIP, 7.5 H/9, and 9 SO/9. SP Keury Mella paces the starters with a 2.64 ERA and has the starters worst BB/9 with a 3.4. SP Tejay Antone leads the rotation with 2.1 BB/9. RP Jimmy Herget leads the relievers with a 1.78 ERA, a 0.947 WHIP, 12.9 SO/9, and 8 S. RP Nick Howard leads the entire staff with 24 BB in just 14.1 IP and has an amazing 15.1 BB/9.
Low A Dayton Dragons
The Dragons have a 13-40 record and are in 8th place in the Midwest League Eastern.
The Midwest League hitters are averaging .244/.317/.344/.661.
2B Shed Long (.269/.346/.455/.801) leads the team in BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Long is also the leader with 16 2B, 6 SB, and 19 BB. James Vasquez (.243/.320/.439/.759) is the team’s next best hitter and leads the club with 8 HR. OF/IF Shane Mardirosian (.252/.329/.320/.649) has the team’s second best OBP at .329 and also paces the team with 3 3B. OF Ed Charlton leads the club with 45 SO.
The Midwest League average ERA is 3.47.
Before being traded to Baltimore, SP Franderlin Romero (2.87 ERA) led the club’s rotation with a 1.170 WHIP, 8.8 H/9, and 1.7 BB/9. With Romero’s departure, SP Austin Orewiler now leads the starters with a 2.42 ERA, 1.231 WHIP, 9.1 H/9, and 2.0 BB/9. SP Jose Lopez (4.53 ERA) leads the rotation with 9.8 SO/9. RP Ariel Hernandez leads the relievers with a 1.93 ERA, a 0.929 WHIP, 2.9 H/9, and 11.9 SO/9.