The Reds game was rained out yesterday.
The Reds released some minor league guys yesterday. From Jamie Ramsey:
Sean Connor, Nathan Driessen, Joel Ernst, William Harford, Evan Hildenbrandt, Trey Manz, Jose Marizan, Junior Martinez, Tom Nurre and Jeff Taylor.
Nathan Driessen jumps out to me the most from those on the list. He posted very strong numbers last season in the AZL and isn’t an older guy either. It is surprising. Junior Martinez has an impressive fastball, so the fact that they gave up on him is slightly surprising as well. I liked Evan Hildenbrandt before he suffered arm issues as well.
Mark Sheldon has the cut list from spring training. No real surprises among the eight who were cut.
LHP Daniel Ray Herrera, RHPs Jordan Smith, Carlos Fisher, Jerry Gil, SS Zack Cozart, 1B Yonder Alonso, IF/OF Todd Frazier and IF Kris Negron
Only Kris Negron has a chance of heading below AAA, the rest should all be in Louisville. Negron could find himself there though if there is a way to find playing time with Zack Cozart, Valaika and him in the infield.
Dave Sappelt talks about his chances to come north with the team with John Fay.
“When we first started, I thought they were definitely going to send me down,” he said. “I came out here and I proved myself on a consistent basis. My mistakes have been minimal. My hitting speaks for itself. I’ve been consistently hitting balls off lefties and righties. I think there’s a pretty good shot that I could make it.”
I hope he is right. I think that Dave Sappelt in left field from day 1 is the best option for the 2011 Cincinnati Reds if they want to repeat as NL Central Champions. I know from yesterdays conversation about him that there are concerns about him, but can’t we have the same conversations about anyone else we are going to stick in left field (be it Heisey, Lewis, Gomes or Hermida)?