Mitch Nay has won the Southern League Player of the Month award for June. The Chattanooga Lookouts infielder, who spent most of the month playing first base, hit .356/.398/.587 on the month. That came along with six doubles and six home runs to go along with eight walks and just 14 strikeouts in 27 games played and 113 plate appearances.
During the month he finished in the top five in average, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, runs, total bases, and RBI. It was his second straight bit time month for the Lookouts. In May he hit .297/.354/.645 in 28 games and 82 plate appearances. He’s been on an absolute tear for the majority of the season, and currently leads the Southern League in OPS with a .912 mark – and he’s the only qualified hitter over the .900 mark.
It might be time to see what the 25-year-old can do in Triple-A. He’s a free agent after the season unless he’s added to the 40-man roster. And at his age, even though he’s lost a lot of developmental time after a staph infection and three knee surgeries led to him missing the better part of two seasons, Triple-A is where you’ll get a bit better of an idea of what you’ve got. And with Nay just beating up on Double-A pitching and half of a season remaining there’s not much time left to make a decision.
Taylor Trammell homers on Tuesday
It’s been a down season for Taylor Trammell in 2019. Most of that is due to the lack of power he’s shown in the Southern League. Through 71 games he’s only had five doubles, two triples, and five home runs. He’s slugging just .349 on the season – which has also made his average very reliant on his batting average on balls in play. He’s hitting just .247 in Double-A, though he’s walked 46 times and that’s helped keep his on-base percentage high with a .368 mark. Last night he homered for the first time since late May while playing in Jacksonville. It also marked his first home run off of a right-handed pitcher on the season.
Matt Lloyd homers for the 3rd straight game
The Cincinnati Reds selected pitcher/outfielder Matt Lloyd out of Indiana University in the 15th round of the 2019 draft. He signed quickly, but as a Canadian he had to wait around to begin play as he required a work visa. Once everything went through, the Reds sent Lloyd to join the Billings Mustangs in late June. He made his debut on the 27th at home against Missoula, where he started at first base and went 1-4. He started the next two days and homered in each game. Then he got an off day, and the Mustangs also had a day off, he was back in the lineup last night against Great Falls, and for the third straight game, he homered. Four games, three homers, a .941 slugging percentage…. that works.
Doug, If Nay was promoted to AAA, where would he play ? Seems the players doing the best are some of the positions he plays.
Good question. I had touched on that subject a few days ago, I think. With VanMeter, Blandino, and Colon rotating between 2B and 3B, O’Grady and Longhi seeing time at 1B as well as OF, there doesn’t appear to be a natural place for Nay to slot in. Maybe they release Colon to pursue other avenues as he was a minor league signing and isn’t likely to be in the Reds plans. Maybe O’Grady and Longhi spend more time in the OF rotating with Crook, Aquino, and Schebler. Maybe one of the 2B/3B plays SS (VanMeter and Blandino could, not sure about Colon). Between that and the DH in some games they should be able to figure it out even if it’s not an easy or obvious fit.
Colon plays SS. He played there in ST.
Third base. First base. Designated hitter.
Release Johnson immediately and promote Nay. Have him rotate at corner IF spots with Colon, O’Grady and Longhi. He may be able to fill in at 2B also.
Nay isn’t a 2B candidate, and is apparently pretty limited at 3B. Good arm, just lacks agility and quickness. He’s another in the list of corner guys.
Doug, anything about Raby signing? Saw that Warren signed. Does he start at Greeneville or Billings?
Thanks to the NY Yankees for that Sonny Gray deal. Now about that Clint Frazier?
I’ll be the first to go on record- it would be good for scooter to be out the year and van meter to be called up and play 2B on a consistent basis. I like scooter and didn’t wish him Ill but extending him would be a bad idea
Sonny Gray in the park I think it was the 3rd of July
Good one. “And a man selling ice cream.”