The Major League Baseball All-Star game took place last night in Miami. It was the first All-Star game that I was unable to watch since the 1980’s. I am currently in Pensacola watching the Double-A team and they had a game taking place at the same time. That did give me the idea, though, to create an All-Star team for the Cincinnati farm system to this point in the year.
Catcher | Tyler Stephenson
He’s hitting .270/.364/.407 for the Dayton Dragons this season with 41 walks and 57 strikeouts. He’s also hit 21 doubles and has 6 home runs in 77 games. Honorable Mention: Rob Brantly (released)
1st Base | Gavin LaValley
The 1st base position at the minor league level is an easy option to this point in the year. LaValley is hitting .285/.332/.532 between Daytona and Pensacola. He’s hit 19 doubles and 18 home runs this season in 78 games. Honorable Mention: Bruce Yari (Dayton)
2nd Base | Shed Long
In 78 games played this year, Long has hit .279/.355/.493 with 16 doubles, 3 triples and 14 home runs hit. The first half of the season was spent in Daytona, but the last two weeks have been with Pensacola. He’s also stolen 8 bases, 35 walks and 77 strikeouts in 338 plate appearances. Honorable Mention: Dilson Herrera (Louisville)
3rd Base | Nick Senzel
Fresh off of the Futures Game, Nick Senzel is hitting .305/.371/.470 in 78 games played. Spending the first half with Daytona and the last two weeks with Pensacola, he’s hit 28 doubles, 2 triples and 6 home runs. In 334 plate appearances he’s walked 29 times with 69 strikeouts and he’s also stolen 10 bases. Honorable Mention: Brandon Dixon (Louisville)
Shortstop | Zach Vincej
Starting most nights for Louisville at short, Zach Vincej has hit .283/.336/.350 for the Bats. In 245 plate appearances he has 17 walks and 26 strikeouts to go along with 8 doubles, 2 triples and a home run. Honorable Mention: Alfredo Rodriguez (Daytona)
Left Field | Taylor Trammell
Despite a slow start in April, Trammell is hitting .280/.356/.452 on the season with Dayton. He’s tied for the team and organizational lead with 24 steals, as well. He’s hit 17 doubles, 8 triples and 7 home runs in 360 plate appearances. Honorable Mention: Phillip Ervin (Louisville)
Center Field | Jose Siri
It’s been a big year for Siri, who is hitting .282/.332/.492 on the season with Dayton. He’s hit 12 doubles, 5 triples and 14 home runs. He’s also stolen 24 bases on the season in 79 games played. Honorable Mention: TJ Friedl (Daytona/Daytona)
Right Field | Jesse Winker
While he’s currently with the big league club, a majority of the year for Winker has taken place in Louisville. With the Bats he’s hit .305/.386/.391 in 73 games played. In 298 plate appearances he has 34 walks and 38 strikeouts with 16 doubles and 2 home runs. Honorable Mention: Aristides Aquino (Pensacola)
Starting Pitcher | Tyler Mahle
The right handed Mahle has posted a 2.08 ERA in 17 starts. That’s come with 103 strikeouts and 21 walks in 99.1 innings pitched. He’s given up just 76 hits and 6 home runs between Pensacola and Louisville.
Starting Pitcher | Deck McGuire
McGuire leads the system in innings pitched with 106.2 and that comes along with a 2.78 ERA for Pensacola. He’s given up just 80 hits and 7 home runs. The right hander has also racked up 105 strikeouts with 38 walks for the Blue Wahoos. Honorable Mentions: Austin Ross (Pensacola), Luis Castillo (Pensacola), Tony Santillan (Dayton)
Relief Pitcher | Jimmy Herget
After participating in the Futures Game, anyone who was watching now knows who Jimmy Herget is. For Pensacola and Louisville he’s saved 20 games with a 2.50 ERA. In 39.2 innings he’s allowed 27 hits and 14 walks to go with 55 strikeouts.
Relief Pitcher | Kevin Shackelford
He’s spent the minor league season with the Louisville Bats, though he did appear in one big league game. For the Bats he has a 1.85 ERA with 11 saves in 39.0 innings. He’s allwoed 28 hits and walked 16 batters with 49 strikeouts. Honorable Mentions: Ryan Hendrix (Dayton/Daytona), Alejandro Chacin (Louisville)
I have never heard of Mcquire before is he not considered a top prospect?
It does not speak well to the Reds OF depth if Aquino is an Honorable Mention on the corners. He has had an ugly season.
His May was very good compared to league average and his July so far is well above league average.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=aquino000ari&type=bgl&year=2017
One terrible month still represents nearly a third of a season and I hate cherry picked stats. He’s had a very poor overall season no matter how you sugar coat it.
So 2/3rds of the season do not matter. I would say you are cherry picking Rick.
Oh, I get it. I’m just not buying what you are saying when it comes to Aquino. 3XBH in June? That’s pretty pathetic for a guy with power. Even in his TERRIBLE month of April he had 5XBH. Or am I still cherry picking? His numbers against RHP this season are a horror show. He’s dropped off a cliff compared to 2016.
I do hope he gets it together.
Jose Siri is also riding a 19-game hitting streak for Dayton, FWIW.
I liked Deck McGuire better when he was a shady, cynical 1950s private eye.