Minor League Thread

[volzok]

Browning and Wood: Striking similarities
BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

DAYTON - Tom Browning struck out more batters in 1986 than any other Red on the pitching staff that season.

It stands as the last time a left-handed pitcher drafted and developed by the Reds led the team in that category.

Travis Wood is a ways from pitching in the major leagues, but 16 games into his pro career, the Reds' second-round draft pick last year already has posted some impressive strikeout totals.

Entering Thursday, the Single-A Dayton pitcher was tied for the Midwest League lead with 15 strikeouts in 82/3 innings. In 571/3 innings overall in the minors, Wood is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA and has struck out 82 batters while walking only 22.

"You never can expect strikeouts," said Wood, a 19-year-old from Alexander, Ark. "You just expect to have a good game and do your best."

In his second start this season, against Lansing on Tuesday at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Wood allowed four doubles over five scoreless innings in a 2-1 win.

His struck out 10 and walked one.

"I was impressed with the way he pitched inside," Dayton manager Billy Gardner said afterward. "He went inside for effect, which helped his changeup. His changeup had real good deception, and it makes his fastball better."

Baseball America rated Wood as the third-best prospect in the Reds' farm system after a solid debut in rookie ball last season.

In 14 appearances with the Gulf Coast League Reds and Billings Mustangs, Wood went 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 67 strikeouts to just 20 walks in 482/3 innings.

Opponents batted .166 against him.

"Last year definitely gave me the confidence to know what I can do and what my limits are," Wood said. "I know I can compete out there."

Wood throws a two-seam and four-seam fastball that tops out in the low 90s. He also throws a changeup and a curveball.

"The curveball is the pitch that has needed the most work from high school to last year," Wood said. "I need to keep working on all my pitches but emphasizing the curveball."

[volzok]

Louisville lost 6-4
Box score

Bergolla went 1-5 from leadoff
Denorfia went 1-4 with a RBI
Stratton went 3-4 with a run
Lizard got a no decision going 5 inn, 8 hits, 4 runs, 0 BB, 4 K
Standridge got the L, 1.1 inn, 2 hits, 2 runs, BB, K and gave up a HR
Wagner, 1.1 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 BB, 3 K

[volzok]

Chattanooga lost 7-3
Box score

Votto went 1-4 with a run
Dickerson went 1-3 with his 1st HR of the season, solo shot, BB, K
Kelly, no decision, going 5 inn, 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, 5 K
Guevara got the loss going 2 inn, 2 hits, 2 runs, 0 BB, 1 K

[volzok]

Sarasota lost 6-2
Box score

LaRue went 1-4 with a run
Garthwaite went 2-3 with a solo HR, a walk and a stolen base
Vazquez impressive with a no decision, 5 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 BB, 7 K
Alvardo finished the game well going 2 inn, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 BB, 4 K

Sarasota has some arms this year. If they could only get some defense.

[volzok]

Dayton lost 6-4 after scoring 4 in the 1st
Box score

Bruce went 3-4 with a HR short of the cycle and a RBI
Szymanski went 1-4 with a 2 run HR but struck out the other 3 AB
Ward, no decision, 5 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 BB, 2 K

[volzok]

Here is a link to 20 questions with Travis Chick. Nothing spectacular, but interesting anyway.

Also, the Reds made several minor league moves yesterday beside the ones mentioned. Per MiLB.com

Released from the Triple-A Louisville roster were first baseman Jacob Cruz, infielder Frank Menechino and catcher John Castellano. Right-hander Tom Shearn was transferred from Louisville to Billings of the Pioneer League, while infielder Ray Olmedo (strained right elbow) and infielder William Bergolla (strained right abductor muscle) were reinstated from the Louisville disabled list.

Left-hander Mike Venafro was signed to a Minor League contract and assigned to Louisville, and outfielder Terrence Long was transferred from Billings to Louisville.

[volzok]

Per Lancaster blog:

ST. LOUIS -- Jason LaRue is traveling to Louisville today. After three games with Sarasota, plus one extended spring training appearance, he's expected to catch nine innings for the Bats Sunday and Monday.

I'm a little surprised they won't have him in Cincinnati by Monday, but we'll see how it goes

[volzok]

Louisville had a doubleheader and won both in 7 inn:
Game 1 box, 6-2
Game 2 box, 3-0

Game one notes:
Bergolla went 3-4 with a 3 run HR, double, had 4 RBI total and a K
Denorfia went 1-4 with a RBI
Gosling got the win going 6 inn, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 BB, 3 K, run was scored on solo shot

Game two notes:
Bergolla 0-3 with 2 K
Denorfia went 2-3 with a RBI and stolen base
Buchanon went 2-3 with a solo HR, all 3 RBI and a K
Michalak got the win going 6 inn, 4 hits, 0 BB, 1 K
Shackelford got the save going 1 inn, 0 hits, 1 K

[volzok]

Chattanooga won 2-1 in 10
Box score

Votto went 1-4 with a RBI and K
Dickerson went 0-2 with 2 BB and a run
Valdez, no decision, 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 3 BB, 5 K

[volzok]

Sarasota won 4-3
Box score

Rosales went 1-3 with a run, BB and K
Strait went 1-4 with a double, 2 runs and 2 stolen bases. He has 7 on the season.
Woody got the win going 2 inn, 0 hits, 0 BB, 3 K

[volzok]

Dayton lost 5-4
Box score

Griffin went 1-5 with a double and K
Bruce went 1-2 with a double, 2 runs, a stolen base, 2 BB and a K
Szymanski 1-4 with a 2 run HR, but again, all of his outs were K. 37 AB, 21K
Cueto, excellent no decision: 6 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 BB, 8 K

[volzok]

Louisville won 5-1
Box score

Bergolla went 1-4 with 2 RBI and a K
LaRue went 2-4 with a double and a run
Hall with the win going 5.2 inn, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 BB, 2 K
Venafro got a hold going 1 inn, 0 hits, 1 K. He may have a ticket to Cincy quicker than Wags and Shack. I hope not, but I wouldnt rule it out.

[volzok]

Chattanooga lost 7-6
Box score

Votto went 2-5 with a double and 2 K
Dickerson went 1-4 with a BB and a K
Bong unimpressive in the start with 3 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 5 BB, 3 K

Sarasota and Dayton were off.

[volzok]

Wagner working to regain star status
By Brian Bennett
The Courier-Journal

Ryan Wagner looked like a sure-fire star when the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the first round in 2003.

The right-hander rocketed his way to the major leagues just months after the draft, posting a 1.66 ERA for the Reds in 17 appearances. Future closer, many said.

So, three years later, just what the heck is Wagner doing back in the minor leagues with the Louisville Bats?

The 23-year-old was the last pitcher cut by the Reds in spring training, despite finishing camp with 12 scoreless innings. Cincinnati officials want him to work on his command and pitch selection.

"He has very good stuff," Bats manager Rick Sweet said. "He just needs to throw more strikes. That's the problem."

Wagner is baffled by the criticism.

"I don't understand that, because I never had a problem with walking guys or anything like that," he said. "I'm just going to continue pumping strikes and getting guys out."

After going 3-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 2004, Wagner struggled to a 6.11 ERA last season with the Reds. He said he pitched hurt until he was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation. He shut it down for good July 15.

The knock on him is that he relied too heavily on his slider. The pitch can be devastating, but hitters were ready for it and let the pitch sail out of the strike zone. Wagner said he's now focusing on using his fastball more to set up the slider. He also began throwing a changeup this season to keep hitters even more off-balance.

It's working so far with the Bats, where Wagner has a 3.60 ERA with seven strikeouts in five innings.

[Geki Ace]

Wags might be a tad mistaken in that aspect.