The Reds traded RHP Ariel Hernandez to Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Zach Neal and 1B Ibandel Isabel. Hernadez had been DFA to make 40 man roster space to enable the Reds to promote Dylan Floro to the big league bullpen. Hernandez has great stuff but has long battled command issues as shown by his minor league career 6.6 BB/9.
Zach Neal is a 29 year old RHP who has a 4.94 ERA over 85.2 IP in the Major Leagues with the A’s and the Dodgers. Neal also has a 4.15 ERA in 68 GS at the AAA level, all in the high offense PCL. Neal is a strike thower. He will allow a lot of hits, strike out few batters, and walk very few batters. He’ll provide pitching depth at the big league and AAA levels. He’s due to start out with the Reds at AAA Louisville.
Ibandel Isabel is a 23 year 1B who hit .259/.327/.489/.816 with 28 HR and 172 SO last season at A+ in the high offense California league. He had a 8% BB% last season, has big power potential and will start out back at A+ with the Daytona Tortugas.
The Reds did get some bad news this week as SS Alfredo Rodriguez was placed on the DL with the AA Pensacola team with a hamate injury that could sideline him for two months. The slick fielding Rodriguez was off to a slow start at AA, .192/.276/.192/.468, before the injury. SS Luis Gonzalez, .385/.419/.538/.957 at A+ Daytona, was promoted to back fill for Rodriguez.
AAA Louisville Bats
The Bats had a 4 – 6 record and in 4th out of 4 in the International League West.
International League hitters are hitting .246/.323/.372/.696.
The Reds resigned OF Steve Selsky, .250/.368/.688/1.056, who is off to a hot start with the Bats. OF/IF Rossell Herrera, .324/.390/.649/1.039, is off to a quick start and has logged 3 G at 3B for the Bats. OF Tyer Goeddel, .310/.355/.483/.838, is swinging the bat well to start the season. OF Sebastian Elizalde, .276/.300/.483/.783, is off to a good start also. IF Nick Senzel is hitting .233/.283/.349/.631 through his first ten games at AAA.
International League pitchers have a 3.66 ERA.
LH SP Justin Nicolino, 1.64 ERA, has been a great find thus far for the Reds. RH SP Bob Stephenson, 3.65 ERA, is pitching well for the Bats thus far this season. RH RP Tanner Rainey (0.00 ERA) and RH RP Jimmy Herget (0.00 ERA) have yet to be scored on out of the Bats bullpen.
AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The Blue Wahoos had a 6 – 7 record and are 3rd out of 5 in the Southern League South
Southern League hitters are hitting .253/.336/.375/.710.
IF/OF Josh VanMeter, .364/.500/.636/1.136, has been splitting time between LF/2B/DH. CF Gabriel Guerrero, .383/.400/.574/.974, continues to play well at AA. OF/1B Nick Longhi, .364/.405/.485/.890, is off to a hot start for the Blue Wahoos. 2B Shed Long, .324/.390/.459/.850, is beginning to hit like we all hoped he would at Pensacola. OF Aristides Aquino, .316/.381/.447/.828, looks to be putting it together in his second season with the Blue Wahoos.
Southern League pitchers have a 3.72 ERA.
RH SP Keury Mella, 1.06 ERA, is beginning to look like the prospect we hoped he’d be when we acquired him from the Giants. LH RP Dean Kiekhefer (0.00 ERA) and RH RP Rafael De Paula, (0.00 ERA) have yet to be scored on out of the Blue Wahoos bullpen.
High A Daytona Tortugas
The Tortugas had a 9 – 4 record and are 1st out of 6 in the Florida State League North.
Florida State League hitters are hitting .251/.322/.385/.707.
C Tyler Stephenson, .432/.543/.676/1.219, has been red hot for the Tortugas this year. 3B Mitch Nay, .349/.378/.651/1.029, has been a nice pickup by the Reds thus far. OF Daniel Sweet, .355/.412/.516/.928, is hitting well. OF Taylor Trammell, .279/.392/.535/.927, is hitting well and playing some CF with Jose Siri being out with an injury. OF T.J. Friedl, .219/.432/.469/.901, is off to a good start at A+ this year.
Florida State League pitchers have a 3.90 ERA.
RH SP Tony Santillan, 0.00 ERA, has yet to allow an earned run through 3 GS and has a 0.75 WHIP. RH SP Ryan Olson, 3.27 ERA, has thrown well in his first two starts at A+. RH RP Joel Kuhnel, 0.00 ERA, had yet to be scored on out of the Tortugas bullpen.
Low A Dayton Dragons
The Dragons had a 7 – 3 record and are 1st out of 8 in the Midwest League Eastern
Midwest League hitters are hitting .246/.337/.365/.703.
C Hendrik Clementina, .500/.500/1.000/1.500, is looking to be a good pickup for the Reds so far. OF Stuart Fairchild, .333/.421/.576/.997, is off to a great start at full season baseball. OF Narciso Crook, .273/.346/.591/.937, is hitting the ball very well. IF John Sansone, .348/.400/.478/.878, is off to a good start with the Dragons. SS/2B Jeter Downs, .297/.366/.432/.798, is hitting well and splitting time between SS/2B with Jose Garcia (.129/.129/.129/.258).
Midwest League pitchers have a 4.08 ERA.
LH SP Packy Naughton, 2.38 ERA, has been great over his first two starts. RH SP Wendolyn Bautista, 2.89 ERA, is throwing the ball very well also. RH RP Cory Thompson (0.00 ERA), RH RP Connor Ryan (0.00), RH RP Autin Orewiler (0.00), RH RP Ryan Nutof (0.00), and RH RP John Ghyzel (0.00 ERA) have yet to be scored on out of the Dragons bullpen.
Thanks Tom for doing this again for 2018…It’s gotta take alot of your time to compile this for everyone.
A tip ‘o the cap!
How is Hunter Greene?
He is off to a good start. First inning was rough in first start.
2gs
5.1 innings (1.5 hr rain delay last night and his previous start was snowed out)
11ks
1bb
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=668881#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL
Encouraged by the start of Shed Long. He’s a good kid with a great background. Watched him play for Dayton, really like him. I’d love to see him in a Cincinnati uniform in 2020.
Do we have any idea who will be on the new Greeneville Reds roster when they begin play? I know the new team is having a mini Redsfest at the ballpark on the Tusculum College campus on April 28, but have not heard much more about this new team in the Reds system.