The View of the Reds Farm from the Old Recliner

Last week the View of the Reds Farm from the Old Recliner looked at the newly published rosters of the four Reds full-season minor league affiliates. With no games or statistics available, we perused each affiliate’s roster, focusing on the top Reds pitching prospects per MLB.com (MLB).

This week, with just a few games completed, we’ll complete the roster review by focusing on the top Reds hitting prospects per MLB.com (MLB).  Even with limited results, we’ll include the top individual performances for each affiliate in the Reds farm, through the first week of games played.

Triple-A Louisville Bats (International League – West Division)

Through six games, the AAA Louisville Bats maintain a 2-4 record and reside in 4th place in the 4-team International League West Division.

Pitchers

The Reds organization stockpiled their top pitching talent and depth with their AAA affiliate.  The arms in AAA provide ready replacements if needed at the major league level for the 2019 season and major league ready restocking talent for the 2020 season.

Vladimir Gutierrez (MLB #8)
Keury Mella (MLB #17, 40-man roster)
Jimmy Herget (MLB #18, 40-man roster)
Cody Reed (40-man roster)
Sal Romano (40-man roster)
Lucas Sims (40-man roster)
Matt Bowman (40-man roster)
Jackson Stephens (40-man roster)
Jesus Reyes (40-man roster)
Jose Lopez (40-man roster)
Matt Bowman (40-man roster)

Pitchers in the AAA International League maintain a 4.49 ERA, 1.377 WHIP, 9.6 SO9, 2.44 SO/W and 1.0 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The AAA Louisville Bats pitchers maintain a 3.52 ERA, 1.398 WHIP, 9.1 SO9, 1.69 SO/W and 0.7 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The Bats top pitchers through the first week of the young season:

Keury Mella (SP) – 3.00 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, 7.5 SO9, 2.50 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 6.0 innings pitched
Vladimir Gutierrez (SP) – 3.38 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, 5.1 SO9, 3.00 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 5.1 innings pitched

Sal Romano (RP) – 0.00 ERA, 0.750 WHIP, 13.5 SO9,  and 1.0 HR9 in 4.0 innings pitched

Position Players

With the exception of Nick Senzel, the Bats lack superior talent and depth among the position players assigned to the Reds AAA affiliate.

Nick Senzel (MLB #1, 7-day Injured List)

Chris Okey (MLB #30)

Chris Okey’s promotion to AAA related more to avoiding playing time conflict with top catching prospect Tyler Stephenson at AA than rewarding his offensive production over the last two seasons.

Phillip Ervin (40-man roster)
Blake Trahan (40-man roster)

Hitters in the AAA International League slash .249/.332/.406/.738 during the 2019 season.

The AAA Louisville Bats hitters slash .229/.321/.368/.689 during the 2019 season.

The Bats top hitters through the first week of the young season:

Josh VanMeter (2B) – .381/.409/.905/1.314 in 22 plate appearances
Brian O’Grady (1B) – .316/.423/.526/.909 in 27 plate appearances

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League – North Division)

Through four games, the AA Chattanooga Lookouts maintain a 2-2 record and reside in 2nd place in the 5-team Southern League North Division.

Pitchers

The Lookouts showcase the 2nd tier of top pitching talent and depth targeted to supplementing the major league roster by the 2021 season.

Tony Santillan (MLB #5)
Scott Moss (MLB #15)
Joel Kuhnel MLB #26)
Ryan Hendrix (MLB #27)

Pitchers in the AA Southern League maintain a 2.97 ERA, 1.271 WHIP, 9.5 SO9,  2.31 SO/W and 0.5 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The AA Chattanooga Lookouts pitchers maintain a 4.25 ERA, 1.556 WHIP, 8.5 SO9, 1.42 SO/W and 0.8 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The Lookouts top pitchers through the first week of the young season:

Tony Santillan (SP) – 1.80 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 14.4 SO9, 4.00 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 5.0 innings pitched

Joel Kuhnel (RP) – 0.00 ERA, 0.545 WHIP, 9.8 SO9, 4.00 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 2.0 innings pitched

Position Players

The Lookouts contain significant superior talent and depth among the position players assigned to the Reds AA affiliate.

Taylor Trammell (MLB #2)

Tyler Stephenson (MLB #6)

Jose Siri (MLB #10, 40-man roster)

Jose Siri represents a toolsy centerfield prospect with a serious flaw, a 30% strike out rate in 2018.

TJ Friedl (MLB #13)

Ibandel Isabel (MLB #25)

Ibandel Isabel came over to the Reds from the Dodgers in the April 2018 trade for Ariel Hernandez.  Isabel demonstrated power potential, producing  a .262 Isolated Power (ISO) in 2016 and .230 ISO in 2017.  After the trade to the Reds, Isabel’s power erupted to the tune of a .308 ISO and 35 home runs in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

Alfredo Rodriguez (MLB #29)

Alfredo Rodriguez represented the prior Reds Baseball Operations effort to participate in the Latin America prospect market.  The effort failed miserably.  While Rodriguez demonstrates excellent defense, his bat simply will not develop to the major league level.  He should drop off all prospect radar this season.

Hitters in the AA Southern League slash .221/.314/.319/.633 during the 2019 season.

The AA Chattanooga Lookouts hitters slash .317/.368/.460/.829 during the 2019 season.

The Lookouts top hitters through the first week of the young season:

Taylor Trammell (LF) – .267/.421/.667/1.088 in 19 plate appearances
Jose Siri (CF) – .353/.421/.647/1.068 in 19 plate appearances
Ibandel Isabel (1B) – .333/.412/.467/.878 in 17 plate appearances
Gavin LaValley (3B) – .357/.375/.500/.875 in 16 plate appearances
Tyler Stephenson (C) – .364/.417/.364/.780 in 12 plate appearances
Alfredo Rodriguez (SS) – .385/.385/.385/.769 in 13 plate appearances

High A Daytona Tortugas (Florida State League – North Division)

Through six games, the High A Daytona Tortugas maintain a 2-4 record and reside in 4th place in the 6-team Florida State League North Division.

Pitchers

Hunter Greene (MLB #3, 7-day Injured List)
Packy Naughton (MLB #21)

Pitchers in the High A Florida State League maintain a 3.47 ERA, 1.265 WHIP, 10.3 SO9, 2.64 SO/W and 0.4 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The High A Daytona Tortugas pitchers maintain a 4.85 ERA, 1.462 WHIP, 9.9 SO9, 2.48 SO/W and 0.7 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The Tortugas top pitchers through the first week of the young season:

John Ghyzel (RP) – 0.00 ERA, 0.375 WHIP, 10.1 SO9, and 0.0 HR9 in 2.2 innings pitched
Ryan Olson (RP) – 2.45 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 14.7 SO9, 6.00 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 3.2 innings pitched

Position Players

Jonathan India (MLB #4)

Jose Garcia (MLB #9)

Stuart Fairchild (MLB #14)

Andy Sugilio (MLB #22)

Hendrik Clementina (MLB #23)

Hitters in the High A Florida State League slash .224/.314/.319/.633 during the 2019 season.

The High A Daytona Tortugas hitters slash .226/.306/.279/.585 during the 2019 season.

The Tortugas top hitters through the first week of the young season:

Mark Kolozsvary (C) – .417/.462/.583/1.045 in 13 plate appearances
Yonathan Mendoza (SS) – .333/.412/.467/.878 in 17 plate appearances
Alejo Lopez (2B) – .333/.407/.333/.741 in 28 plate appearances
Andy Sugilio (RF) – .294/.429/.294/.723 in 21 plate appearances

Low A Dayton Dragons (Midwest League – Eastern Division)

Through six games, the Low A Dayton Dragons maintain a 2-4 record and reside in 7th place in the 8-team Midwest League Eastern Division.

Pitchers

Lyon Richardson (MLB #11)
Jacob Heatherly (MLB #12)
James Marinan (MLB #20)

Pitchers in the Low A Midwest League maintain a 3.65 ERA, 1.361 WHIP, 9.8 SO9, 2.29 SO/W and 0.7 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The Low A Dayton Dragons pitchers maintain a 5.40 ERA, 1.819 WHIP, 10.8 SO9, 1.72 SO/W and 0.9 HR9 during the 2019 season.

The Dragons top pitchers through the first week of the young season:

Jhon De Jesus (SP) – 0.00 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.4 SO9, 1.50 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 5.0 innings pitched
Lyon Richardson (SP) – 2.25 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 11.3 SO9, 2.50 SO/W and 0.0 HR9 in 4.0 innings pitched

Eduardo Salazar (RP) – 0.00 ERA, 0.000 WHIP, 9.0 SO9, and 1.0 HR9 in 2.0 innings pitched

Position Players

Michael Siani (MLB #7)

Mariel Bautista (MLB #19)

Bren Spillane (MLB #24)

Jonathan Willems (MLB #28)

Hitters in the Low A Midwest League slash .235/.329/.336/.664 during the 2019 season.

The Low A Dayton Dragons hitters slash .227/.296/.323/.619 during the 2019 season.

The Dragons top hitters through the first week of the young season:

Mariel Bautista (LF) – .316/.360/.632/.992 in 25 plate appearances
Jay Schuyler (C) – .333/.412/.533/.945 in 17 plate appearances
Bren Spillane (1B) – .333/.417/.524/.940 in 24 plate appearances
Juan Martinez (3B) – .389/.421/.500/.921 in 19 plate appearances