There have only been four games played by each of the Cincinnati Reds farm system teams, so a “hot start” may be a tad bit of a a stretch. But with how the big league club has performed thus far why not try to find something to be excited about? There have been more than a few hitters who have gotten out to quick starts with the bat – which is what we’re focusing on today since no pitcher has made more than one start to this point in the season.
Taylor Trammell is taking full advantage of being out of the pitching friendly Florida State League and moving on up. Now with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts the Reds #3 overall prospect is hitting .267/.421/.667 through four games. He homered in both games over the weekend and has also walked four times so far. On Sunday Chris Blessing was in Chattanooga and got video of Trammell’s home run.
#Reds prospect Taylor Trammell just took #Rays minor leaguer Ivan Pelaez deep for his second HR of the first series. pic.twitter.com/R2yC9Q89uW
— Chris Blessing (@C_Blessing) April 7, 2019
Trammell’s teammate and fellow outfielder Jose Siri is out to a similarly hot start. In the first four games of the year he’s hitting .353/.421/.647 with two doubles, an inside-the-park-home-run, two walks, and a stolen base. He went 0-4 with a walk and three strikeouts on opening night, but has gone 6-13 in the three games since. Blessing also got video of Siri’s home run, which I timed at 14.64 seconds.
#Reds prospect Jose Siri inside the park HR with #Rays prospect Jesus Sanchez hitting the wall hard and being down for about 3 minutes. Sanchez stays in the game. pic.twitter.com/62EoykbF3i
— Chris Blessing (@C_Blessing) April 7, 2019
In Triple-A it’s Brian O’Grady who has been carrying the Bats offense thus far. After a break out 2018 he’s carrying forward through the first four games this season. The left-handed hitter is hitting .400/.421/.667 with a double, two walks, and a home run for Louisville. On Sunday afternoon he hit a home run in Toledo that left the ballpark. Like, the actual ballpark – not just the playing field.
In Daytona it’s Alejo Lopez who has been swinging the hot stick for the Tortugas. The infielder has played in all four games and is 7-15, good for a .467 average. He’s also walked three times with only one strikeout – good for a .556 on-base percentage. Teammate Mark Kolozsvary has only played in two of the Tortugas four games, but he’s made them count. He’s gone 4-8 with two doubles, hitting .500/.500/.750.
For the Dayton Dragons it’s been Mariel Bautista leading the way. He’s started all four games – three in left field and another game in center. He’s hitting .429/.412/.857 with a double, triple, home run, and two sac flies (thus the on-base percentage being lower than his average). Bautista has also added a stolen base.