We are nearly two weeks into spring training games and have exactly three weeks left before the Cincinnati Reds have to make their final roster decisions. There are a lot of non-roster invitees still in camp and some of them are off to strong starts.
The Infielders
Ivan De Jesus is a former top prospect for the Dodgers, but after suffering an injury a few years ago he never quite returned to form and has bounced around the last few seasons. He’s only had 13 plate appearances so far this spring, but he’s hitting .455/.538/.727 with two walks and he has yet to strike out. As a guy who can play all around the infield, including shortstop, if he continues to perform well he could be looking at a spot on the big league bench.
Irving Falu is another utility infielder off to a good start. The 31-year-old has had 14 plate appearances so far this spring and like De Jesus he also has hit .455 so far with two walks. Overall he’s hit .455/.500/.545. Falu has also swiped two bases in two attempts.
Kyle Skipworth hasn’t looked the best behind the plate with his defense, but his bat has been quite strong so far. The catcher has had 14 plate appearances and has hit .385/.429/.692 with a walk and two strikeouts. He’s not competing for a job on the roster at this point, but his quick start with the bat should be noted.
The Outfielder
Brennan Boesch was probably the favorite coming into spring training among the non-roster invitees to win a spot on the bench after destroying the Pacific Coast League last season in the minors. He’s doing more of the same in spring training with the Reds as he’s hitting .429 and slugging .762 so far in 21 plate appearances. He’s yet to draw a walk but he’s only struck out three times. The Reds have put him in center field a few times already, a position he’s never played in the Majors and only played sparingly in the minors. That’s probably a strong sign that he’s being considered heavily for a spot on the bench as an extra outfielder.
The Pitchers
Michael Lorenzen has made two appearances and tossed four shutout innings with a walk and four strikeouts. He’s worked out of the bullpen in both games he’s pitched in after spending all of 2014 as a starter in the minors. It seems that Bryan Price is considering him as a possible bullpen candidate for the 2015 season.
Paul Maholm has thrown five shutout innings so far, making one start and one bullpen appearances. He’s yet to strike anyone out, but he’s only walked one batter and allowed just one hit. The lefty is probably not competing for a spot in the rotation, but he is likely in a battle for a spot in the bullpen as a lefty or long reliever.
Jason Marquis got the start last night for the Reds and gave up his first earned run of the spring over nine innings pitched in three starts. He’s been a groundball machine thus far, allowing just three hits. He’s also shown good control as he’s walked just two batters and struck out seven. While he wasn’t one of the favorites coming into the spring for one of the two open spots in the rotation, his performance is getting him noticed early on.