Tom Nichols has up part 6 of his positional previews of at DaytonDragons.com, this time looking at the outfielders. He thinks that Yorman Rodriguez and Juan Duran will begin the year in Dayton, while the third starting outfield spot is still up for grabs. Nichols mentions Jefry Sierra, Donald Lutz, Kurtis Muller, Dayne Read, Stephen Hunt, Theo Bowe and Jaren Matthews as other potential outfielders who could be on the Dragons roster.
Rodriguez played at Billings in the Pioneer League in each of the last two seasons, appearing in almost the exact same number of games both years. In 2009, he was only 16 years old for most of the season and batted .219. Last season, still the youngest regular in the league, he raised his batting average 120 points to .339. He added two home runs and drove in 39 runs in 43 games. He also stole 12 bases. Rodriguez is very athletic with excellent arm strength, good speed, and the potential to hit for power. He is expected to be the Dragons opening night center fielder.
Go read about the different players. Some good stuff in there.
John Sickels begins looking at some college starting pitchers at his site, focusing on starters with last names between A and J. If you are a draft follower, go check that out. Not going to lie, reading reports on Gerrit Cole have me salivating at just seeing him pitch (we have absolutely no chance at getting him unless he gets hurt between now and the draft, and lets never hope for that):
Gerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA: 6-4, 220 pound right-hander. So far, 2-2, 2.31 ERA, with a 47/8 K/BB in 39 innings, 23 hits. Showing excellent command of excellent stuff this year. Up to 99 MPH with his fastball, plus curveball, plus changeup, great delivery. Now being talked about as the possible number one pick instead of Anthony Rendon and is drawing Strasburg comparisons. I see no reason to buck the consensus on Cole; the hype looks legitimate to me.
Here is how the prospects performed in the Reds win in the final spring training game:
- Felix Perez went 0-1 and was hit by a pitch.
- Mike Costanzo went 1-2 with a double and a run.
- Juan Francisco went 1-2 with a run and RBI.
- Denis Phipps went 1-2 with a run.
- Jake Kahaulelio went 1-1 with an RBI.
- David Cook went 0-1.
- Aroldis Chapman threw 0.2 perfect innings.
- Jerry Gil thew a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
Lets discuss our opening day plans. Mine are nothing fancy. Just going to have a friend and my brother come over, eat some pizza and drink some Coca-Cola while watching the game in HD on the projection screen. What do you guys have planned? Anyone going? Taking in the parade?