Reds Minor League Baseball Blog

Four different pitchers gave up runs in Lynchburg’s 11-6 loss to Potomac.  Lance Janke was particularly hit hard and he gave up five runs on five hits and two walks and the loss dropped his record to 0-3.

Devin Mesoraco went one for three with a home run, two walks, three RBIs and two runs.  Neftali Soto went three for five with a double, two runs and an RBI.

Matthew Klinker was the only pitcher to get hit hard in the Sarasota’s 12-5 loss to Lakeland, but he took the loss and he was hit the hardest.  He gave up six runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk with a strikeout in two innings.  Four errors didn’t help things and they turned into seven unearned runs.

Devin Mesoraco was the hitting star in the loss.  He went one for two with a three run blast.

This one was ugly as Sarasota lost to Daytona 11-3.  No pitcher was immune and all three gave up more runs then innings pitched.  Luis Montano fell to 4-5 on the season after he took the loss.  He gave up five runs on six hits and a walk in four innings.

Devin Mesoraco was the hitting star in the loss.   He went two for three with two doubles and a walk.

Baseball America was the first site to throw out their top Reds prospects list.  What’s most impressive about the list is how many major league ready players the Reds have at the top of their list.  There’s no surprise that Jay Bruce comes in at number one, even ahead of Homer Bailey.  Bruce had the monster season that saw him go from High A all the way to Triple A with success at every stop.  Bruce might start the season at Louisville, but I’d expect him not to be there for long.

Bailey comes in at number two and while he had a rough season last year, he had some flashes.  His time in Triple A was pretty effective but I’d still expect to find a spot in the rotation from day one this year.  Dusty Baker has a tendency to ride his starters (especially when the pen isn’t all that great) so I’d be worried about overuse.  Hopefully Bailey is handled correctly and he has a solid season in 2008.

Joey Votto comes in at three and while he’s not much of a prospect anymore, he’ll hopefully be the team’s starting first baseman.  The Reds have Scott Hatteberg for another year and if you remember way back with the Cubs, Dusty Baker kind of shut out Hee Sop Choi from finding solid playing time.  Hopefully Votto makes an immediate impact in the spring and forces the Reds hand to start him every day.

Johnny Cueto comes in at four and he’ll probably start in Louisville.  Still, this is a kid who is ready and I’d like to see him at least get a spot in the Reds bullpen.  2006 first round pick Drew Stubbs rounds out the top five and he’ll most likely start the season at Sarasota.  Devin Mesoraco, the team’s first round pick in 2007, checks in at number six.

Those top four guys though could provide a solid nucleus for the Reds for the next several years.  You just have to hope their both pan out and are used correctly.