The Reds made some big time cuts yesterday and it seems that the roster is set. For now at least Juan Francisco, Logan Ondrusek and Mike Leake are all going to start their season’s in the major leagues. I fully expect Francisco to be in AAA when Leake is added to the roster on the 11th when the Reds need him to pitch.
As far as Mike Leake goes, I have to say that I am shocked. Not because he didn’t pitch well enough to win the job. Not because I don’t think he can succeed, but because I just can’t believe the Reds took him over Travis Wood given that Wood pitched well (even despite the walks, the kid pitched well this spring) and was on the 40 man roster.
For a little more info on Mike Leake, you can check out these two posts on his stuff via Pitch F/X from the AFL and this spring.
I am glad to see that performing absolutely lights out in the minors last season and spring training this season gave Logan Ondrusek a shot at helping this team out. The guy absolutely deserves a chance after what he has done in the past 12 months. His groundball rates (near 70%!) should play very well in Cincinnati.
As I have talked about a few times this spring, it seems the Reds are on board a hybrid Neftali Soto to catcher idea. John Fay talked to Terry Reynolds about it and here is what Reynolds had to say:
“He’ll catch two and play first or third the other days,” Reynolds said. “He caught in Instructional League and took to it.”
I think this is the best way to test the waters. Limit who he catches somewhat to guys with solid control at first. I am going to be very interested in seeing him catch this season, so I really hope I get a chance when I go to Lynchburg this season.
Matt Klinker is being sent to AA. I still can’t get my mind around it. The guy pitched there last season with a sub 2.50 ERA with more strikeouts than innings pitched and gets pushed back to AA? I just don’t get it. Louisville has room for him. He is still young enough, has legit stuff and flat out dominated last season better than anyone not named Travis Wood who spent a full season in the Reds system last year.
The Reds are letting Balentien go in order to keep Nix. I don’t get it. In 2009, Balentien hit better than Nix while with the Reds. In spring training this year Balentien hit better than Nix. Both guys play good defense. What am I missing other than the Reds don’t know how to read a splits chart because it seems they picked Nix because he is a lefty despite the fact that Balentien has hit righties much better as a pro than lefties. I think this will be one move they regret making.