Minor League Discussion

[volzok]

Chattanooga lost 7-5

Box score

Freel went 1-4 with a K and a run. He also got picked off.
DJ went 2-3 with a RBI, walk and a run. He played DH as Freel played 2B
Kozlowski went 6.2 inn, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned, 0 BB, 5 K

[volzok]

Sarasota got rained out
Dayton lost 10-1

Box score

Nothing much to report here. Piepkorn had the only RBI going 1-5 with 2 K
Szymanski 1-5 with a K

[Slyder]

Louisville lost 9-8

Box score

EdE went 3-5 with his 14th HR, 2 RBI, 2 doubles and a K
Kearns went 1-4 with his 6th HR, a solo shot plus a walk and a K
Bergolla went 0-5 with 2 K

I typed it before and I'll type it again...

*MEMO TO MR. O'BRIEN: Trade RANDA NOW ED E IS READY.*

[CincyRedsFan30]

Kearns now has an OPS of over 1.100 I believe. It's time to bring him up. He is hitting better than Pujols is(even though it is AAA).

[volzok]

Reds finding mix of good and bad in minor leagues from Courier Journal

By Brian Bennett
The Courier-Journal

Despite high expectations, the Cincinnati Reds' season has been an unmitigated disaster so far. So fans want to know: Is help on the way?

The farm system has provided the Reds with mixed results this summer. Several players from the Louisville Bats have made their way to the majors this season and contributed. Some of the system's top prospects at the lower levels have struggled or are hurt, while others are proving themselves. Here's a look at how potentially future Bats and/or Reds are faring, starting at Double-A:

Bobby Basham, SP: Ranked as the Reds' second-best prospect going into 2003, the right-hander was recently promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts. In two Double-A starts, he's allowed one run.

Phil Dumatrait, SP: A former first-rounder who was acquired in the 2003 Scott Williamson trade, this left-hander has a 2.89 ERA despite a 3-9 record.

Richie Gardner, SP: The Reds' reigning minor leaguer of the year has had a bumpy season, going on the disabled list twice and posting a 5.72 ERA for the Lookouts.

Josh Hall, SP: The curveball specialist who made the majors in '03 has completed a long road back from arm surgery. He's 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA.

Kevin Howard, 2B: The Reds are flush with young middle infielders, and here's another one. Howard, 24, is hitting .276 with 14 doubles and eight home runs.

Ben Kozlowski, SP: An offseason waiver wire pickup from Texas, the 24-year-old has shown promise and is 4-3 with a 4.33 ERA.

Bubba Nelson, RP: After a disastrous 1-10 start with the Bats last season, Nelson has rebounded. He made the Southern League All-Star team as closer for the Lookouts, where he has 10 saves and a 3.68 ERA.

Others:

Homer Bailey, SP: The teenager, who was the Reds' No. 1 pick last year, has gone 2-4 with a 4.20 ERA for Single-A Dayton.

Joey Votto, 1B: Considered one of the system's few offensive prospects, Votto is hitting .258 wth nine home runs and 53 RBIs for low-A Sarasota.

Javon Moran, OF: The young speedster is batting .339 with 13 stolen bases at Sarasota.

B.J. Szymanski, OF: This Princeton product and former second-round pick is hitting .254 with six home runs for Dayton.
Dog days of summer

Louisville Slugger Field will be going to the dogs Aug. 10. That night, as the Bats play Indianapolis, fans are invited to bring their dogs to the stadium thanks to a promotion by Snausages.

Owners will have to pay a $2 admission for each dog. The pooches will receive a free bandana and Snausages treats. There also will be water stands and a special seating area for the pets

[volzok]

Louisville lost 3-2

Box score

EdE went 1-3 with his 15th HR, a 2 run shot and he stole his 7th base of the year
Bergolla went 2-4 with a run and his 9th stolen base of the year
Kearns went 0-4 with 2 K

[volzok]

Chattanooga lost 9-8

Box score

Freel went 0-4 with a run, RBI, walk and 2 K
Asadoorian went 2-2 with his 5th HR, 3 RBI, double and 2 runs
DJ went 1-4 with a run and 2 BB

[volzok]

Sarasota won 3-0

Box score

Votto went 0-4 with a K
Bolivar went 1-3 with a triple, all 3 RBI and a K
Mattox got the win going 5 inn, 2 hits, 1 BB, 7 K

[volzok]

Dayton lost 11-10

Box score

Szymanski went 2-4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and a run
Piepkorn went 2-4 with 2 doubles, RBI, a run and a K
Strait went 3-5 with a triple, 2 runs and a RBI

[redsrbetter]

Thanks Volzok! EdE with another HR! Looks like Kearns and Freel did not have a great night. But, I guess everyone is entitled to a bad night once in a while. DJ Mattox with an awesome pitching display! where did that come from? He has not been that good this year.

[Sea Ray]

Anyone heard anything more on that LH Cuban pitcher they signed, Cruz. Supposedly he was headed to AA but I've heard nothing. Has he reported yet?

[missionhockey21]

• Outfielder Jay Bruce, the Reds' 2005 first-round pick, continues to put all five tools on display in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Bruce hit safely in every game this weekend, punctuated by a home run (his third) and a double Sunday in a 5-1 win against the Twins. However, Bruce also was picked off at first base and caught stealing for the third time in four attempts. Bruce, who missed a week in mid-July with a bruised thumb, has 11 extra-base hits among his 23 hits total and is slugging .500 while batting .274.

Article link

[redsrbetter]

So what do you guys think. Bruce or Szymanski? Either one of these guys have a serious future with this club? We already have three young studs in the organization, so the only way to get them in is to trade what we have now. makes it more tempting, doesn't it?

[AdamDunn#44]

theres no comparison. szymanski is already 22 and still hasnt played great in A ball and he gets hurt everyday. bruce will be a star. he is already showin great power at a young age and his plate discipline was rated as 2nd best in the draft

[missionhockey21]

Agreed. I still think if he could stay healthy and develop those his raw skills, BJ could be a solid outfielder, but those are big if's. Nothing I would move one of our current three outfielders for given how long away he is. But Bruce is going to be something special. Good makeup, has his youth and a big ceiling. Given how far away he is, I hope by the time he is ready Jr calls it a career and we can make room for him (Bruce is probably at least 4 years away unless he just booms through the system.)