The chat will go live at 2pm, but you can start submitting questions at 1pm. When the chat begins I will push it up to the top of the post.
The Reds still have not made a decision on the 5th starter spot. Thursday was supposed to be the cut day, but the Reds delayed the decision except for two moves (Corky Miller and Carlos Fisher are going to AAA). Apparently the cuts will come today at some point. Yesterday you guys voted that Travis Wood should get the nod if you guys were making the call. I also voted for Wood as I believe he is the best option for the team, especially given that he is on the 40 man roster.
Speaking of the 40 man roster, the other spot up for grabs seems to be that last outfield spot between Laynce Nix and Wladimir Balentien. Balentien has clearly out hit Nix this spring, has splits like he is a lefty so no real reason to say you need a lefty and choose Nix, and both bring above average defense to the table. The only difference is, you have to add Nix to the roster and since Balentien has no options left, would be up for grabs to any team in baseball who wants him (and he would be grabbed in about 10 seconds too). Some tough decisions for the Reds front office.
Some of you may have caught this yesterday as I brought it up on both Twitter and in the comments, but an anonymous scout told USA Today this:
Reds: I hear all of this talk about the Reds being so much better, but I don’t see it. … They’ve got to be really hurting if (rookie right-hander) Mike Leake is going to make that team. He has no average pitch. … Aroldis Chapman has that fastball, but everything else looks average. He still has to learn how to be a pitcher.
Yeah, Mike Leake has no average pitch and Aroldis Chapman only has a fastball…..
The guys over at Red Reporter have targeted the Top 5 hitters to keep an eye on in the minor leagues this season. I am particularly fond of their choices at #1 and #3 (Mesoraco and Sappelt). The #2 and #4 guys won’t be seen until mid season by the sounds of it though. Go give it a read.
The Reds also played a game yesterday that ended well, as Danny Dorn hit a walk off HR for the Reds. Here is how the prospects performed in the game:
- Dave Sappelt went 0-1 with a walk.
- Todd Frazier went 2-2.
- Denis Phipps went 0-2 with a run.
- Danny Dorn went 2-2 with a HR and 2 RBI.
- Zack Cozart went 0-1.
- Juan Francisco went 0-1.
- Matt Maloney allowed an unearned run with 3 strikeouts and a walk in 3 innings pitched.