After reading the rules 10,000 times and asking others and getting different answers I used Redsfest to talk with Cincinnati Reds Director of Player Development Jeff Graupe to get an answer to the question on whether or not left handed pitcher Ismael Guillon gets a fourth option year. I had been of the belief that he did based on my interpretation of the rules but others had said that he didn’t. Well, he does get a fourth option year according to Graupe. So let’s mark that one down.
That news is rather big in exactly what it means for the development for Guillon. Had the 2015 season been his final option year that team would almost be forced to move him to the bullpen to try and get him ready for the 2016 season in the big leagues. With two years instead of one they will be able to keep him in the rotation, get him innings, work with him more and hopefully keep him in the rotation rather than simply be forced to put him in a relief role because of a lack of time.
Jon Matthews won the Reds minor league community service award at Redsfest over the weekend. What I was able to find out that I didn’t know was that Matthews played most of the season with a torn MCL and meniscus in his knee. Despite that he still went out and hit .317, mostly in Dayton but with two weeks worth of games in Bakersfield as well and he also stole 20 bases in 67 games. He’s had surgery since the season ended and should be ready to go to start 2015.
I will be working on something this week to take a look at the upcoming Rule 5 draft, which takes place on Thursday morning. I’m not sure if the Reds will be players or not when their turn comes around, but we will take a look at some players who could potentially help them out if they were to be selected by the team.