Here is how the Reds prospects performed in Friday and Saturday’s games:
Friday
- Denis Phipps went 1-1 with a double.
- Didi Gregorius went 0-1.
- Neftali Soto went 0-1.
- Donald Lutz went 0-1.
- Henry Rodriguez went 1-3 with an RBI and a run.
- Kristopher Negron went 0-0 with a walk.
- Devin Mesoraco went 0-3.
- Daryl Jones went 0-1.
Saturday
- Chris Valaika went 2-3 with 2 RBI.
- Zack Cozart went 2-3 with 2 triples, a run and 3 RBI.
- Neftali Soto went 1-2.
- Daryl Jones went 0-2.
- Donald Lutz went 0-1.
- Didi Gregorius went 1-1 with a run.
- Denis Phipps went 0-1 with a walk and a run.
- Henry Rodriguez went 0-1.
- Todd Frazier went 0-1 with a walk.
- Devin Mesoraco went 1-2 with a walk, RBI and a run.
- Andrew Brackman threw a perfect inning of relief.
The first round of cuts have been made. Here is who was cut, according to John Fay:
Pitchers: Josh Judy, Pedro Villarreal, Kyle Lotzkar, Nick Christiani, Daniel Corcino, Sean Gallagher, Donnie Joseph, Chad Reineke and Brett Tomko. The first three were optioned to the minors, while the others were re-assigned to minor league camp.
Position players: Kristopher Negron, Neftali Soto, Didi Gregorius, Henry Rodriguez, Donald Lutz, Tucker Barnhart and Brian Esposito. The first five guys were optioned, while the other two guys were re-assigned.
The one that surprises me the most of that is Josh Judy. He has some, albeit limited, Major League experience while also being younger, having quality stuff and had solid numbers so far. Everyone else probably saw the writing on the wall though I thought maybe Henry Rodriguez would stick around for one more week or so given how well he has hit and the Reds potential need for a second baseman next year.