The first month of the season has passed and there is nobody at AAA beating down the door to be promoted to the majors. Jesse Winker’s high AVG and OBP could sorely be used at the top of the Reds lineup but with Duvall and Schebler hitting well ahead of him, he’s going to have to start hitting with some power as well to force the Reds to make a tough decision. Dilson Herrera is now playing 2B on regular basis but is yet to start hitting. He is also going to have to hit well to force his way into the big leagues once a spot becomes available with Scooter Gennett now in the picture and doing well. It’s time to check in and see how the rest of the farm hands are doing this week.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Bats have a 10 – 16 record and are 3rd out of 4 in the International League West.
International League hitters are hitting .250/.319/.383/.702.
SS/2B Juan Perez, .304/.402/.544/.946, is cooling off, but still out paces the rest of the team by far. OF/1B Sebastian Elizalde, .308/.390/.440/.830, has cooled off also, but still has strong numbers to start the season. OF Phil Ervin, .250/.308/.472/.780, put up a good first month of AAA ball. IF Tony Renda, .302/.343/.397/.740 has returned from the DL and is starting to hit the ball. OF Jesse Winker, .295/.374/.346/.720, continues to hit for average and get on base at a high rate, but is still not displaying the power everyone thinks he needs to. OF Tyler Goeddel, .190/.209/.214/.424 was sent down to AA. 2B Dilson Herrera, (.228/.282/.342/.624), is struggling at the plate but has now played 14 G at 2B with only 5 G at DH.
International League pitchers have a 3.79 ERA.
RH SP Rob Wooten (4.91ERA) was roughed up in his first game back from the DL. RH SP Asher Wojciechowski (0.66 ERA) has been good over his first three starts. RH SP Lisalverto Bonilla (6.30 ERA) and RH SP Jackson Stephens (6.66 ERA) have both struggled through the first month of the season. RH RP Kyle McMyne has a 0.55 ERA in 16.1 IP. RH RP Evan Mitchell (1.59 ERA) has 17 SO in 17 IP out of the bullpen. RH RP Louis Coleman (2.25 ERA) and RH RP Kevin Shackelford (2.70 ERA) are pitching well out of the bullpen also.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The Blue Wahoos have a 15 – 11 record and are 1st out of 5 in the Southern League South.
Southern League hitters are hitting .238/.317/.357/.674.
1B/OF Angelo Gumbs, .300/.364/.425/.789, is off to a good start over his first 44 PA. CF Brian O’Grady (.193/.370/.404/.773) leads the team in OBP despite his BA being under .200. 2B Josh VanMeter, .286/.350/.352/.701, had a pretty good first month with the Reds organization. OF Gabriel Guerrero, .294/.318/.382/.700, has cooled off and has just 4 BB in 107 PA. OF Aristides Aquino, .169/.227/.292/.519, continues to struggle at AA. IF Alex Blandino, .190/.356/.259/.615, is not hitting, but his 19% BB rate has him getting on base at a good rate. 3B Taylor Sparks, .129/.260/.258/.518, was placed on the DL.
Southern League pitchers have a 3.35 ERA.
RH SP Tyler Mahle (1.19 ERA) has tossed 37.2 IP allowing 18 H and 8 BB with 41 SO. RH SP Austin Ross (0.79 ERA), is having an excellent start to his season. RH SP Luis Castillo (2.08 ERA), is off to a great start. SP Keury Mella (3.65 ERA) is now pitching well after a slow start. RH RP Jimmy Herget, (2.77 ERA) has recorded 8 S and has 23 SO in 13 IP. RH RP Ariel Hernandez (0.87 ERA with 16 SO in 10.1 IP) is back pitching great with the Blue Wahoos. Ismael Guillon (0.96 ERA), Alex Powers (2.53 ERA) and Brennan Bernardino (2.53 ERA) are all throwing very well out of the bullpen.
High A Daytona Tortugas
The Tortugas have a 14 – 13 record and are 3rd out of 6 in the Florida State League North.
Florida State League hitters are hitting .256/.322/.371/.693.
1B Gavin LaValley, .303/.333/.576/.909, leads the Tortugas with 7 HR but has only 4 BB in 108 PA. 2B Shed Long, .277/.320/.468/.788, has come on strong of late at the plate. 3B Nick Senzel, .288/.345/.413/.759, has heated up and leads the team with 10 2B and 8 BB. OF Daniel Sweet, .278/.395/.319/.715, leads the club in OBP thanks to 6 BB and 8 HBP in 86 PA. SS Alfredo Rodriguez (.470 OPS) and C Chris Okey (.462 OPS) continue to struggle bad.
Florida State League pitchers have a 3.61 ERA.
Starting pitchers Jose Lopez (1.61 ERA), Jonathon Crawford, (2.28 ERA), and Wendolyn Bautista (2.38 ERA) are all off to great starts on the mound. SP Vladimir Gutierrez (4.10 ERA) has had a couple of good outings lately after a slow start to the season. RH RP Ty Rainey (1.98 ERA) has allowed just 3 R and 4 H over 13.2 IP while recording 22 SO and 1 BB. RH RP Robert Stock (3.14 ERA) is throwing well coming out of the bullpen.
Low A Dayton Dragons
The Dragons have a 16 – 10 record and are 1st out of 8 in the Midwest League Eastern.
Midwest League hitters are hitting .242/.317/.374/.692.
SS/2B Luis Gonzalez, .323/.364/.484/.848, is off to a great start in his 33 PA since coming off the DL. OF T.J. Friedl, .284/.354/.477/.831, leads the team with 8 2B. OF Michael Beltre, .292/.400/.417/.817, leads the team in OBP. C Tyler Stephenson, .282/.378/.436/.814, is starting to hit like we all hoped he would. 1B James Vasquez, .224/.339/.469/.808, has come on strong after a slow start. OF Taylor Trammell, .238/.337/.321/.658, is leading the team with 13 BB.
Midwest League pitchers have a 3.84 ERA.
LH SP Wennington Romero (2.33 ERA) leads the starting rotation. LH SP Scott Moss (3.12 ERA) has 41 SO and 8 BB over 26 IP. RH SP Tony Santillan (4.00 ERA) has 18 BB and 25 SO in 27 IP. RH SP Ryan Olson was placed on the DL. RH SP Alex Webb allowed 1 R on 2 H and 0 BB with 5 SO in 4.1 IP in his first start with the Dragons. RP Joel Kuhnel (0.90 ERA) has recorded 4 saves. RP Aaron Fossas has not been scored on over 17 IP of relief. RP Jesse Stallings (2.53 ERA) is doing well out of the bullpen.