When the Cincinnati Reds traded for Ibandel Isabel in April they knew that they were getting a guy with a bunch of power. Last season, in all of professional baseball, his average exit velocity trailed only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. But even then, it was probably hard to imagine that he would go out and hit 30+ home runs on the year. Last night saw Ibandel Isabel hit his 34th home run of the season. 33 of them have come with the Reds organization and all with the Daytona Tortugas. That set a new franchise record for Daytona, and it also tied the Florida State League record. Isabel has six games remaining to break the record.
The 33 home runs in a season ties Alan Knicely for the most in the Cincinnati Reds farm system during my lifetime (I was born in 1984). You have to go back to 1982 to find someone who hit more than 33 home runs for the Reds farm system. That’s when Jeff Jones his 42 for Cedar Rapids. In that season he hit .301/.426/.662 with 26 doubles, two triples, 42 home runs, 91 walks, and 151 strikeouts. It would be an incredible thing for Isabel to catch Jones with just six games remaining. But, what he’s done has been beyond impressive. Here’s the leader each year in the organization (on the farm) dating back to 1980.
Dayton announcer Tom Nichols to call the Reds game tonight
One of the most important people in my baseball writing journey, Tom Nichols, will be getting a big opportunity tonight with the Cincinnati Reds. The Dayton Dragons do not play tonight, and to help celebrate him calling his 4000th professional baseball game earlier this year, the Reds are going to have him on the radio to call the game from innings 4-6. Tune in.