After taking two of the three games in their home series against the New York Mets, the Cincinnati Reds are back on the road to take on the Miami Marlins. Cincinnati gets to face off against the top pitching prospect in baseball who is making his big league debut. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET. The game is today’s MLBtv free game of the day.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Miami Marlins
|
| Jonathan India – 2B | Jazz Chisholm Jr. – CF |
| Jake Fraley – LF | Jorge Soler – DH |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Luis Arraez – 2B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Yuli Gurriel – 1B |
| Nick Senzel – 3B | Bryan De La Cruz – LF |
| Henry Ramos – DH | Jean Segura – 3B |
| Wil Myers – RF | Peyton Burdick – RF |
| Stuart Fairchild – CF | Jacob Stallings – C |
| Jose Barrero – SS | Joey Wendle – SS |
| Graham Ashcraft – RHP | Eury Perez – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 37.2 | 3.82 | 1.33 | 18 | 30 |
| Eury Perez (AA) | 31.0 | 2.32 | 0.81 | 9 | 42 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Eury Perez’s Stats |
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Graham Ashcraft
After dominating in his first six starts of the season, Graham Ashcraft had the worst start of his career last week against the White Sox. Chicago scored eight runs against him in just 1.2 innings and homered off of Ashcraft – his first home run allowed since April 2nd.
Much like last season, left-handed hitters have done absolutely nothing against Graham Ashcraft, hitting just .130 with almost now power. Right-handed hitters find much more success against the right-handed starter. They walk nearly as often as they strike out, make contact at a high rate, and hit for a high average. They don’t have much power output, but do hit for a little more power than lefties do against Ashcraft.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 84 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | .324 | .410 | .465 |
| LHH | 77 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 18 | .130 | .221 | .232 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 97.0 | 96.8 | 88.8 |
| Usage | 7% | 55% | 38% |
Eury Perez
One of, if not the top pitching prospects in baseball, Eury Perez will be making his Major League debut tonight against the Reds. He spent almost all of 2022 in Double-A, making 17 starts. He returned there this season and has been dominant, posting a 2.32 ERA with 42 walks in 31.0 innings.
Double-A isn’t the same as the big leagues, but neither lefties nor righties have found much of any success this season against Perez. Right-handed hitters have just one walk and 20 strikeouts against him, but on the rare occasion that they’ve made contact, it’s been hit with authority as five of the eight hits have gone for extra-bases. Lefties make a little more contact and they have walked at a high rate, but when they’ve made contact it’s led to very little.
Splits (Double-A in 2023)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 54 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | .151 | .167 | .359 |
| LHH | 63 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 22 | .146 | .254 | .291 |
Pitch Usage
There is no firm, public pitch data available for Eury Perez. We can’t break down his stuff as exact as we can for guys who are in Triple-A this year or the big leagues, but it’s also 2023 and scouting reports are easy to access. His fastball reportedly works in the mid-90’s and has touched 100. He also shows a plus change up, plus slider (mid 80’s), and a plus curveball (mid-to-upper 70’s).
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: loanDepot Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (Free game of the day)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 81°, sunny, 0% chance of rain (also has a retractable roof)
News and Notes
TJ Friedl is day to day
After exiting yesterday’s game early, TJ Friedl is listed as day to day in the Reds official game notes today. But…. he’s not playing today according to David Bell.
David Bell said TJ Friedl (oblique) likely won’t start games this weekend and won’t play today, but he’s hopeful that Friedl will avoid an IL stint.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 12, 2023
What else does Matt McLain need to do?
Last night Matt McLain homered for his third straight game, going 3-4 with a walk. His OPS is up to 1.188, which leads all of minor league baseball. Over at RedsMinorLeagues.com I wrote about his season and openly wondered what else he has to do in order to be called up. There’s no actual good answer.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Pirates | 21 | 17 | 0.0 | 18.1% |
| Brewers | 20 | 17 | 0.5 | 62.8% |
| Cubs | 18 | 19 | 2.5 | 25.7% |
| Reds | 16 | 21 | 4.5 | 1.5% |
| Cardinals | 13 | 25 | 8.0 | 22.3% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
McLain should be playing SS tonight in Miami.
CES and Steer should be sharing 1B/DH duties for the foreseeable future.
Hopkins should be up and playing the OF in Friedl’s absence.
But all of that makes too much sense.
I dont see a pressing need to torch the team’s depth this early in the season, since you’d need 3 open 40 man spots for that.
McClain should probably be the starting SS right now, he’s eventually going to force the team’s hand. Personally I’d option Barrero and have him refine his defense and learn 2B. Either a 60 day DL for a guy for a spot, or Casali trade, maaybe DFA a guy but I’m hesitant since the roster depth is very thin.
Depth? Oh, for the love of Pete! …
Eury Perez went from AA to the Majors. Interesting
If you look at his minor league stats, he has a lot of strikeouts per innings pitched. Early in his minor league career, he also had a lot of walk per innings pitched, but he seems to have gotten that…under control.
Pretty much a “power”pitcher, but from watching “Gameday” he has a good curve and a slider he uses a lot too. He seems to set the slider up with his fastball, and then gets outs on his curve.
He has not pitched a lot of innings in the minors, so I do see some problems for him ahead, if he gets fatigued. Very talented guy, though.
And…I do think that Abbott is about ready. A few more starts, and bring him up.
If…that’s what you mean. Luis Castillo went from AA to the Majors, and so did Scott Williamson, back in 1999. Mike Leake was drafted out of Arizona, and came directly to the Majors in 2010.
He returned there this season and has been dominant, posting a 2.32 ERA with 42 walks in 31.0 innings.
Sounds like he’d be perfect for the Reds’ bullpen!
Any team that truly wanted to win would cut through all the baloney hindrances and get McLain up to the majors…..playing virtually EVERY DAY.
Absolutely
Great work Doug. This is the most interesting 16-21 franchise in MLB. Mo egger just talked about your Matt McLain article on the radio. Mo’s big point was Reds offense is poor and there are guys in AAA who can help now.
EDLC and McLain are hitting 2/3 tonight and playing 3b and SS respectively tonight. Most folks say McLain is a better 2b than SS but with India blocking at 2b perhaps they are trying to simultaneously develop McLain as SS#1 at the MLB level for the short term as he may be a month or 2 ahead of EDLC arrival time- who is #1 on the Reds organizational depth chart.
They will figure out India in the off-season
I say bring McLain up yesterday, put him in CF, a position he has played before, CES at the All-Star break or trading deadline after dispatching some of the dead wood, and EDLC in September.
One problem with CES is that with Senzel’s performance at 3rd, he might be limited to playing 1st only and we know that when Joey returns, he’ll be playing nearly everyday, if possible.
Not sure how will it be at the end, but I guess that sooner than later McLain should take over 2B moving India to LF, ELC takes over SS optioning Barrero and CES shares 1B/DH duties designating Casali or Maile. Stephenson C, Steer 1B, McLain 2B, Senzel 3B, ELC SS, India LF, Friedl CF, Fraley RF, CES DH.
Yes.
I hope TJ is going to be OK. It’s hard to trust what Bell says about injuries.
The new rules that supposedly encourage team’s to call up their top prospects look like they’re just going to make team’s wait even longer so they get a chance at those draft picks. There’s a major incentive for the Reds to wait until September to call up EDLC. And why in the world its tied to top100 lists is just plain ridiculous. Not sure I like that it’s tied to a league wide award either.
I think there’s zero chance the Reds aren’t calling up prospects so they can get a higher draft pick.
I’m thinking it’s about time to Kick some South Beach Pig and welcome the young man to The Show with a Crooked Number Hit Parade.
This top prospect pitcher Pérez makes me remember Luis Castillo when he was called up from AA to the big leagues for debuting with the Reds…
I expect Graham Ashcraft rebounds strongly tonight and tosses a gem…
I was at that game in DC vs. the Nats
Future Cy Young we’re watching, no? 😛
Yeah Stephenson got 2 hits yesterday, a check swing single and a bleeder over the SS. He’s not close to right
+1000
He takes a lot of called strikes.
I think TS has always been a little heavy on guessing; thus the taken strikes. However, it seems to be more frequent now.
I wonder if he is getting into more guessing situations because he is missing or fouling off pitches he previously put in play?
Not sure why the Twins traded Arraez . The guy can hit.
A whole lotta movement on those pitches from Ashcraft. The Fishies looked off balance most of the time. The attempt to pull back the bunt was fun to watch.
Good for Ramos. At least that ends the no hit/ perfect game scenarios in one fell swoop.
+500
So far so good … NOT.
I’m just spit-balling here, but it seems these guys would want to take a couple more pitches and measure this kid a bit more. I know they’ve got video and analytics to use … but if they are, it doesn’t appear to be working quite yet.
Fairchild got himself in a hole by looking at another fastball for a called strike on strike 2 but all it got him was a killer slider on strike 3. 😉
Is that a kid that just turned 20 that’s mixing up 3 pitches?
Quite possibly.
Small mental lapse by Ashcraft, then a nice recovery. Pretty efficient inning.
Time to back him up, boys!
You know I back Fairchild, but imo he has what the old timers would call a slider speed bat. Can’t seem to catch up to high velocity. Maybe it’s his strange follow thru? Lefties don’t throw as hard generally so hopefully he can platoon effectively
The Red Legend Skip Schumaker managing the Marlins
The grittiest of all the gritsters.
Yeah Jockety fed Reds fans a real grit sandwich
From what I’m seeing, the kid has some talent.
Nice job by Fraley to hang in there and get a call his way.
Glad that was a ground out … not sure how the umpire missed that strike call. He’s been a little generous but consistent so far tonight.
Oh, he got ALL of that one.
Nice to see him not miss that pitch for once this season
That’s the Ty Steve we need
Snuck that just inside the line. Nice work.
Pulled with authority!
Myers earning his salary … 😮
Veteran RBI guy right there!
Myers has been one poor signing, please stop with theses types of signings. They don’t work, at least for the Reds.
Fairchild just missed beating that out. Too bad about the Ramos bunt attempt. I actually liked that choice.
I’m thinking Steer let that eat him up. He overplayed it and missed.
Spike snagged and threw his timing off.
E3
Steer is not a good fielder.
He and CES should share 1B and DH.
Starting tomorrow.
So is CES a good fielder?
Steer has made a ton of very good plays at first
Reds looked like minor leaguers. Good cut-off should have nailed that runner at the plate.
I love how hard Fraley plays, but he sure makes some dumb plays..Last Friday getting doubled off in the 9th inning while representing the tying run and not hitting the cut off this inning.
The not bringing up Mclain issue is becoming a bigger joke every time Barrero strikes out, which is often.
McLain with another hit his first AB tonight….354
Fraley makes up for his goof
Barrero is lost.
Rake gets the run back that he allowed.
Fraley must have crushed that ball! The sound over my radio was awesome!
Fraley is a pretty strong guy. There were a couple he hit last year that he smoked into right field at GABP.
Eury Perez out after 88 pitches, 3-2/3rds innings.
Likely just ran out of gas, even though the pitch that Fraley hit out was 96 mph fast ball. Maybe it was just up there, with no movement. He has not thrown a lot of innings in the Minors, so maybe protecting him up here.
4.2 IP
Wow. Fraley took a tough hit from the wall. Concussion possibly.
Wow. I’ve never seen any ball misplayed (lights) worse than that. Waaaay behind him. I don’t know how he didn’t get an inside the parker on that one.
Myers is not legit
haha
I’ve had my fill of Myers
Same ..there was a reason no other team was willing to sign him.
Great play by Ashcraft, even if overturned.
I don’t understand that call at all.
Just…sigh…
bad defense accounts for both runs.
but not the 3rd
Myers has hurt this team more than he has helped, eat the money and let him go.
Yep…just absurd. It is a white ball inder the lights against a dark sky. My guess is his eyes weren’t paying attention for a split second at the swing and then couldn’t pick the ball up.
And Myers with the easy weak grounder dp ball. Between him and Newsome just more crap, when supposedly you are rebuilding with quite a few super talented kids waiting in L’ville who couldn’t possibly be worse
Stephenson with another brutal passed ball. I am really starting to think he needs glasses or his handeye coordination is just really poor. Regardless, he was clearly out at home, not sure how that call could be overturned. Reds have overall been screwed badly by replay this year, almost as bad as the OSU-Georgia Football semifinal that robbed OSU.
Losing ball in sun…or twighlight sky is a helpless feeling.
Been there done that.
Meyers putrid start only amplifies his misfortune there
That was a rough inning, but good on Ashcraft for buckling down and getting out of it. He was clearly upset by the turn of events, but he managed to brush it aside and do what he needed to do.
Marlins 12-0 in 1 run games
Double play Myers. Boy talking about a bad day at the office
Myers is really having a mare of a game.
Time to send Ramos down. Pretty much a guaranteed out at this point.
Myers not giving them anything
The Reds or the Marlins? 🙂
This team has way to many below average players. Myers, Barrero, Fairchild, Ramos, Maile, Casseli and Newman. That is 7 out of a possible 13. I can’t believe they have won 16 games. If changes aren’t mage they are going to fall apart soon. You can’t win when over half of your roster is almost an automatic out.
I agree Mark. This team will be buried by the all star break. I wish they were just call up the prospects and dump guys like Myers, Ramos, Newman, Casali and the like.
You don’t dump assets dude. Get real
Mark, you are spot on. It is very much like the ‘82-‘84 Reds. A lot of overrated players. I liked Householder, Driessen, Esasky, Milner, Redus, Trevino, Bilardello, Foley, etc but those guys didn’t have a chance at a playoff run. It’s funny that some on RLN keep mentioning how far the current Reds are back in the division and the wild card. It’s not happening folks. 81 wins is not happening. I hope I am wrong.
For those of you that didn’t read my post today on the “Red’s Notebook” I argued that the entire infield could be displaced by next year with the incoming prospect talent. I ended the post with a (well thought out) non sequitur:
“Anybody got defense?”
Since 2019, the answer has been that this aspect of the game has not been a priority. I take no credit for the example of this tonight. I don’t know the defensive capabilities of the prospects likely to displace the current stand-ins but I certainly do not want a David Bell led coaching staff to lead them.
Plus 1000
Absolutely right @DD.
If Fraley comes up to bat and the left handed reliever is still in the game, Bell will pinch hit with Newman. Newman will go into play third base, and Senzel will go to the outfield. Or Barrero will go to play CF.
Watch this happen.
Nope, but maybe it should
Well……,
Took a walk and listened while the Keystone Cops inhabited our Reds.
And just like that it’s a new ballgame.
Nice swat by Steer.
Steer is a keeper.
Last week some wanted him sent down, or said he wasn’t a “keeper” LOL
As I said on the other thread, RLN’ers and Reds fans are a fickle bunch. And those who aren’t are generally deemed negative
Seems like everyone wants to get rid of Steer. I don’t get it.
I was thinking the same thing
Steer battles. You have to like that. And he’s had his share of key hits this season.
Who here wants to get rid of Steer?
I haven’t seen any evidence of that.
Lol, reread comments over the last 3 weeks
I like Steer for his patient approach at the plate and contact hitting but believe his ceiling is much lower than McLain, CES, EDLC. One game or even one week shouldn’t change anyone’s mind.
Man. Fraley got around pretty well there. I wander how fast he would be if he shaved that beard too. 🙂
Ashcraft gave away 2 on hanging sliders and Steer just got 2 on a hanger. Good ballgame tonight
I don’t think anybody wants to get rid of Steer. I feel like everybody just wants the other young guys to come up and join him, in place of some of the guys up there now.
But there’s only so many infield spots
Back to the drawing board for lefties. Young isn’t good and SanMartin is worse
From the radio sounds like Reds defense has let them down in this game.
Man, Senzel is dead on with his throws.
I’m starting to think that a team that needs a third basement might take a look at Senzel in a trade.
Really like Young out of the bullpen. He is a good lefty pitcher.
Ramos and Meyers are killing this team.
I am over the Myers experiment. Bring up Hopkins play him in RF.
Ramos too
Hopkins had a career OPS of .798 in the minor leagues. He is 27 in January. A call up would be a commitment to mediocrity that the team is so guilty of already. Probably would be a Bell favorite (gritty, below average player).
Myers…omg. He’s not this bad? It’s really amazing we’re as close to .500 as we are considering
They are throwing everything on the outside of the plate to Myers. Once in awhile he runs into a mistake.
Hopefully someone wants Meyer at deadline. Would rather watch a young guy struggle that what they are getting.
Want Myers based on what?
37 games in, so “Slow Start!” isn’t cutting it any more.
Current nickname: “Millstone”.
Myers has been a bust so far, but a great week can change that.
Unfortunately, all of our prospects ready to come up are infielders, not outfielders.
Also, wish our posters would stop with all stupid nicknames for Reds players. Use them for the opposing team all you want.
Gibaut is really turning into a solid pitcher. Kudos to the pitching coach and bullpen coach.
minus the walk LOL
I think they got him off the scrap heap from somewhere. Keep dumpster diving
Very nice throw from TySteve.
Yep
According to the live box score, Myers is the worst BA and OPS in the line-up tonight.
Barrero! My boy Stewie with a knock and Jose keeps his hands inside the ball nicely!
India a little over-anxious there
FRALEY baby! 🙂
Wooh. Fraley with a big hit!
Fraley really making up for his bad throw.
+1,000
Jake Freaking Fraley!!!! 3 run blast
That’s the cushion we need!
Will we get Diaz in the 9th (unless we score more)?
no doubt
Home runs are cool!
The Reds with 3 tonight. Been awhile since they out HR’d the other team
Yeah. Always cool. As long as we do other things too on offense.
Bell catches more _ then Roto Rooter, but look what Skip Grit did tonight. Has a lefty pitch to Senzel , Ramos, Myers and then game on the line and he has no lefty for Fraley. Thats not smart
Well Ramos is a switchy.
A guy could throw underhanded to Meyers
Steer! Fraley! Fairchild! Stephenson!
Barrero a key hit on a good approach
I wish the Fish were back in don’t care mode because I’d give a ton for Sanchez or Chisholm
Good win.
Chisolm is a little bit Jazzed over that last call. Clearly a strike.
Nice comeback win for the boys. Atoned for a multitude of sins. Too bad Ashcraft didn’t get the win. He pitched much better than his line suggests. Too many mental errors.
Reds win.
Well De La Cruz be up tomorrow? Stay tuned lol
Jake Fraley, Star of the game.
And this one belongs to the Reds!
The bullpen did good tonight, and David Bell did not over-manage.
When your team wins and you don’t think much about the manager that night it’s usually a good thing.
+1000. And when 8&9 get on 4-8 PAs, and both in the 9th, it’s a good day, especially when 8&9 are two guys most here want to be rid of
Yep, and as it stands right now, Milwaukee takes over the division lead. Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St Louis are all trailing. With this win, the Reds move up to tied with Oakland for the ML fewest road wins. A sweep of this trip would sure put them in a better place.
This team, as bad as this division is, could possibly compete if this ownership would just try. Sounds crazy. Bullpen with the best ERA in the NL?
I agree
Nice win!! Bell has these guys competing. No star power just a bunch of scrappy ball players. Would love to have another middle of the order bat.