Minor League Discussion

[volzok]

Good call redsrbetter. I forgot all about Estalella. He has no chance. I guess we can rule out Stratton than too since he didnt even make it to the last cut. If he stays in Louisville all year, he may set the HR record.

[griffeyfan3]

smithermen didnt start in the opener did he?

[AdamDunn#44]

Rob Stratton strikes again!

Stratton homers in his first AB of the day. Now has 4 HR in 10 atbats.

[bipster]

It really is nice to see him continuing his roll

[redsrbetter]

Oh my! Can't help but have nothing to say about this. Great job by this guy. I bet he gets another one today.

[AdamDunn#44]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/a...ngaax_wtdaax_1

Chattanooga won 9-6

Denorfia with another big game going 2-4 with 2 doubles and a walk.

Bubba Nelson-2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

[AdamDunn#44]

It was only his knee.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sport...11dragons.html

One of the negatives is the sore right knee of right-hander and No. 1 draft choice Homer Bailey, who had an operation on the knee last year. He did throw on the side before the game. Powell thinks he will be ready for his next start Friday.

"We're taking the cautious side," Powell said. "If this were later in the year, he'd be in there. There's nothing to be concerned about. With a guy of his caliber, we're going to take the cautious route."

Because of Bailey's knee and the fact he is one of three teenagers on the staff, the Dragons began the season with 13 pitchers, one more than usual. Like last season, they are using a four-day, tandem pitching rotation, meaning there are eight designated "starters" with five left over as relief pitchers.

[AdamDunn#44]

EdE just doubled in his first AB of the night...he got off to a 1-11 start on the season so hopefully this is his turning point.

[AdamDunn#44]

EdE just hit a solo HR

EdE is 2-2 with a double and HR so far tonight

[bipster]

Way to go EdE, get on that roll that Stratton is on

[AdamDunn#44]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/a...unafx_sarafx_1

Chris Dickerson just pounded his 2nd HR of the year. Votto followed that up with a triple.

[AdamDunn#44]

EdE walked in his 3rd and 4th atbats. Great night for him.

1st AB-Double
2nd AB-HR
3rd AB-Walk
4th AB-Walk

Dane Sardinha hits a 3 run HR to make it 8-1 Louisville

Edit-the boxscore is messing up. It now says Luis Lopez hit the HR.

[redsrbetter]

Louisville is really mashing this year!

[volzok]

Louisville is really mashing this year!

Yeah they are. Thats a good sign if there are any injuries that we can still bring up some decent bench players, if not more.

[AdamDunn#44]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sport...12dragons.html

New season should reveal astute draft results
By Marc Katz

Dayton Daily News

DAYTON | In the beginning, Dayton just wanted baseball, a team, players, a franchise to use the city's name and play here.

Now, the fans would like to win games, too. Following three straight playoff teams, the Cincinnati Reds' Class A Midwest League Dayton Dragons fell out of playoff contention the last two seasons, and tonight will begin the home part of season No. 6.

It's Opening Day again, and unfortunately the current team arrives at Fifth Third Field with a 1-3 record after an opening series at South Bend, Ind., where the Silver Hawks rallied three times to win.

So far, the Dragons have shown a propensity to hit. Outfielder Phil Gentry leads the league with a .545 batting average and two teammates — third baseman Habelito Hernandez and first baseman/designated hitter Bobby Mosby — are hitting .333.

As a team, the Dragons are hitting .275, third best in the league, and their 33 strikeouts in four games barely ranks in the top half of the 14-team league.

Even the pitching, despite some rough bullpen outings, has been promising. Rafael Gonzalez, who took a line drive off his shin in game one and had to be removed, is expected to take his regular turn tonight.

Overall, it appears there is more ability on this team than on the past two, and Reds

general manager Dan O'Brien says that is no accident.

"In our organization, we have a better level of talent due to last year's draft and improvements in our Latin American operation," O'Brien said during spring training.

"Last year, we introduced a significant number of changes to the player development process. It takes time. We've tried to add additional quality instructors. Dayton will be benefitting by having Chris Sabo (as hitting coach) on board. Step by step, we're bringing more talent into the organization."

Significant changes include limiting pitch counts in the lower minors to a maximum of 75 a game, using four-day tandem rotations and pitching to "contact," rather than have pitchers try for strikeouts.

As for hitting, a more controversial move is requiring batters — in most cases — to take a strike before they are allowed to swing. The idea is to create more patience among the players, allowing them to see more pitches. It also puts them behind in the count.

O'Brien also reorganized the scouting and player development departments, separating them from the rest of the organization. In the recent past, there was no separation and money saved, say, in player development was not used the following year in player development.

In at least a couple of seasons, the Reds drafted and signed players they thought would accept less money rather than players they thought were good enough to make it to the majors. The results of that philosophy showed up in Dayton first.

"If we're going to be good as an organization, we have to be proficient in player development and scouting, and we're doing that," said O'Brien, who also said ownership agreed to add more funds to the process. "There are lines of responsibility and accountability. We've got quality people in key positions. We will find a way to make it work."

Again, what the Reds draft shows up in Dayton first. Nine players from last summer's draft are on the Dragons' Opening Day roster, including pitchers Homer Bailey (1), Rafael Gonzalez (4), Philippe Valiquette (7) and Jared Sanders (14). Also outfielder B.J. Szymanski (2), catcher Craig Tatum (3) and infielders Paul Janish (5), Trevor Lawhorn (9) and Drew Anderson (13).

It is a start. It is good news for Dayton fans. O'Brien, though, is not satisfied.

"We've got some players," he said, "but we want more players."

An "Amen" will be heard at Fifth Third Field tonight.