Prospect Hot Sheet

2 Reds minor leaguers make the cut. One you might not expect...


No. 3 TODD FRAZIER, SS REDS
Team: Low Class A Dayton (Midwest)
Born: Feb. 12, 1986 in Point Pleasant, N.J.
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 215. Bats: R. Throws: R.
School: Rutgers.
Acquired: Selected by Reds in supplemental first round (34th overall) of 2007 draft; signed July 5, 2007.
Ranking: Ranked seventh in Reds system in 2008 Prospect Handbook
Why He's Here: .476/.621/1.190 in 21 at-bats with 3 2Bs, a minor-league leading 4 HRs and 8 BBs with only 2 Ks.
The Scoop: The No. 1 prospect in the Pioneer League in 2007 after hitting .319/.409/.513 for Billings, Frazier hasn't stopped hitting since arriving in Dayton. Frazier is riding a seven-game hitting streak, the highlight of which was his two home run night, including a walk-off, against Fort Wayne on April 7. Projected to have 20-25 home run power, Frazier is tied for the Low Class A home run lead with four in eight games.


No. 4 HOMER BAILEY, RHP REDS
Team: Triple-A Louisville (International)
Born: May 3, 1986 in La Grange, Texas.
Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 205. Bats: R. Throws: R.
School: La Grange (Texas) HS.
Career Transactions: Selected by Reds in first round (seventh overall) of 2004 draft; signed July 22, 2004.
Ranking: Ranked No. 2 in Reds system in 2008 Prospect Handbook
Why He's Here: 1-0, 0.71 in 12.2 IP, 9 hits, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 Ks
The Scoop: Rallying from a poor spring (5.21 ERA, 24 hits and 16 walks in 19 innings), Bailey is off to about the best start imaginable. From a performance standpoint, those two walks he's issued are key. Though he's exceedingly hard to hit (career 7.15 hits and 0.51 home runs per nine rates in the minors), Bailey found last year he couldn't always contain the damage while walking four-plus batters per nine innings.


Get the complete list here.

Jay Bruce Update

So far in AAA...

.324 Average
37 AB
12 Hits
1 2B
1 3B
2 HR
1 BB
10 SO

Ross to Louisville

From the Reds:

C David Ross' (low back spasms) rehabilitation assignment was transferred from FSL Sarasota to Class AAA Louisville. . .he is expected to join the Bats in time for tonight's home opener vs Pawtucket. . .in 4 rehab apps for the FSL Reds, Ross went 2-for-11 with 1 rbi.

It's going to be interesting when Ross is ready to come back. I don't think Paul Bako is going anywhere, given the way he's worked with Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. Aaron Harang also gave him a lot of credit yesterday.

They could go with three catchers -- making Javy Valentin primarily a pinch-hitter. But they need to move someone else to open a spot to do that.

Source: John Fay

What should the Reds do to open up the roster spot? Personally, I think a Ryan Freel trade is just around the corner. I don't think the Reds were expecting Bako to be this big to the club and a necessary keeper.

Ken Rosenthal Thoughts

Couple of things from Ken Rosenthal...

Focus O! Focus


The Orioles could be a major player at the deadline even if they keep second baseman Brian Roberts. Their potential chips include right-hander Steve Trachsel, outfielder Jay Payton, first baseman Kevin Millar, third baseman Melvin Mora, catcher Ramon Hernandez and designated hitter Aubrey Huff. One potential obstacle: Mora, Hernandez and Huff are signed through next season.

Here's a thought: Hernandez to the Reds. The Orioles scouted Cincinnati extensively when the teams discussed Bedard during the off-season. The Reds ranked 14th in the National League last season in on-base/slugging percentage from the catcher's position.

Is Cueto the new Pedro?

Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto, at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, is built similar to fellow Dominican Pedro Martinez, who is listed as 5-foot-11, 170, but was even skinnier as a rookie in 1992. The difference, in one scout's view, is that Cueto has such long limbs, he gives the appearance of being taller, looking "almost goofy."

Cueto, the scout says, is stronger than Martinez and his delivery is cleaner, possibly leading to fewer injuries. Another difference is that Cueto's primary breaking pitch is a slider, while Martinez's is a curveball. Oh, and there also is this: Cueto, 22, has made only one major-league start.

"When this guy learns to pitch backwards, then you can really make the Pedro comparision," the scout says. "That's why Pedro was so great. He knew how to pitch."

Going to Goodyear

Goodyear City Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding, the big step in the bringing the Reds to Goodyear.

The vote was 6-0. Joanne Osborne, the council woman who said she was opposed a few weeks ago, was swayed in the last couple of weeks.

The city has stepped forward to fund the $33 million project.

John Allen was at the meeting he passed out Reds hats to the council members after the vote.

Source: John Fay

Interesting Article On Phillips

Yahoo has an interesting article. Check it out here.

Coutlangus Traded

Tonight the Reds acquired from the Diamondbacks minor league OF Daniel Perales in exchange for LHP Jon Coutlangus.

Perales, 23, was selected by Arizona in the 22nd round of the June 2006 first-year player draft...last season at Class A South Bend he hit .282 and led the Diamondbacks organization with 92rbi while ranking among the Midwest League leaders in hits (156, 1st), extra base hits (58, 1st), doubles (32, 5th), runs scored (80, 3rd) and triples (10, 3rd)...he has been assigned to FSL Sarasota.

Coutlangus, 27, was designated for assignment as 1 of 11 roster moves on Opening Day.

Why Bronson Why?

This might be the first song in history to use the words "Steakhouse Angus" in the lyrics.

Choices to Make....

With two players (not counting Ross) returning from the DL in the near future, large questions will face the Reds management. Both Matt Belisle and Alex Gonzalez are scheduled to return from the Disabled List next week and with their returns comes questions about the new roles of those that have filled in for them.

1. Alex Gonzalez- Since given the opportunity to play everyday, Jeff Keppinger has been more and more impressive. In his first 20 at-bats of the young season, he has responded with 9 hits. While he will never win a gold glove, he has shown his defense to not be the hindrance that some thought it might be. So now the question is raised, what happens to Keppinger with the return of Gonzalez? Can you really sit a guy that has proven that he is capable of these types of numbers? In over 430 career at-bats, Keppinger is hitting .314! A caller on the post game radio show said it best when he asked "Does this guy have Utility role attached to him? What does he have to do to play everyday?" If you use Keppinger as a utility guy, what then happens to Freel?

In my opinion, Keppinger has got to be considered to replace Encarnacion at third. What happens to Edwin? I don't know, a trade maybe. Keppinger is only two years older than Edwin and is outplaying him both offensively and defensively. So my question is, why is Edwin "the third baseman of the future" and Keppinger regulated to a utility role? Who would you rather have up to bat at a crucial time in the game? I know I would prefer Kepp. Some fans and announcers have called for Kepp to platoon at first with Votto/Hatteberg. In my opinion, I don't like it. It still doesn't keep this kid in the lineup EVERYDAY. When Alex Gonzalez gets off the DL, Jeff Keppinger needs to be moved to be the starting third baseman.

2. Matt Belisle- Once returning from the DL, where does Matt fit in? Is it going to be Cincinnati or Louisville? If it is Cincinnati, where does he fit and whose spot does he fill? It appears that the starting rotation has no room for Belisle to fit in unless Fogg falters for multiple starts. So that would mean the bullpen. Does Matt really fit in this Cincinnati bullpen? The knock on this kid from the beginning has been the way he freaks out with runners on. Is that the right mentality for the bullpen? Long relief would be the only way Matt would fit. Then the question would be, who does he replace? The logical response would have to be Lincoln. In my opinion, Matt Belisle is a AAA pitcher and that is where he should go and STAY.


Thoughts? Comments?