Cash Case signed with the Cincinnati Reds last season after being selected in the 4th round. The Reds sent him to the Arizona Rookie League to begin his professional career. He struggled to find the grass with hits, posting a .180/.273/.241 line in 150 plate appearances. In 34 games he only had four extra-base hits. What he did do well was show good plate discipline, walking 17 times with just 28 strikeouts – a good sign for the future if he could carry that forward.
In 2018 the Reds sent the now 19-year-old to join their new affiliate Greeneville when their season began in less than two weeks ago. He’s gotten out to a very nice start this year. He’s hitting .310/.375/.552 through seven games. Cash Case has already matched his extra-base hit total from last season – hitting two doubles, a triple, and last night he added his first home run of the season. He tied the game up at 10-10 with a 3-run homer, pulling the ball down the right-field line.
Luis Alecis dominates for Billings on Friday night
Luis Alecis had arguably the best start of his career on Friday night for the Billings Mustangs. I take that back – it was the best start of his career. The recently turned 21-year-old took the mound at Dehler Park and dominated the Helena Brewers on the night. He threw 7.0 shutout innings and allowed just one hit – a 2-out double in the 3rd inning.
The outing was the longest of the career for Luis Alecis. It was also the outing with the most strikeouts in his career. The right-handed pitcher struck out nine batters on the night, needing just 84 pitches to get through his outing. 54 of those pitches went down as strikes. Earlier this season, Alecis was with the Dayton Dragons and pitching out of the bullpen. He had struggles there, but his move back into the rotation is working well through three starts in Billings where he’s currently allowed just four earned runs in 15.0 innings (2.40 ERA).
Keep an eye on Darlin Guzman
Let me begin this by saying that I have not yet talked to anyone about Darlin Guzman. With that said, if you like to follow along with what’s happening in the Dominican Summer League, he’s probably one of the guys to keep an eye on. The 17-year-old is out to a great start to his professional career for the Reds. Last night he had three more hits, including a double and a triple. He’s been showing off big time power in games through the first month of the season. He’s played in 16 games and already has nine extra-base hits. The outfielder has doubled twice, tripled five times, and he’s already hit two home runs. For the season he’s posted a .327/.367/.655 line in 60 plate appearances. He has struck out quite a bit, with 18 strikeouts thus far – but that power he’s shown early on is certainly enticing.