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    Reds prospect Vladimir Gutierrez strikes out 13 for Louisville

    Doug Gray 11

    It’s been a tough season in Triple-A Louisville for starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez, but last night was not one of those nights. The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher was rather dominant against the Toledo Mud Hens. Through 5.0 innings he had struck out 10 batters, and was likely looking at his pitch count and seeing that he probably only had one inning left. He took care of things in the 6th, striking out the side and exiting the game with 13 strikeouts and just one unearned run charged against him.

     

    For Vladimir Gutierrez, the final start of the season capped off a strong month of August. The last month of the year would easily be the best of his season. His ERA’s in April and May were both over 8.00. In June it was 5.01. July saw it jump back up as he posted a 6.00 ERA in five starts. But things were different in August. Across his six starts he posted a 3.74 ERA in 33.2 innings. A big reason for that was that he missed a whole lot of bats. During the month he struck out 41 hitters and walked just 14 of them.  It was the only month of the season where he had more strikeouts than innings pitched.

    Michael Siani is running free in 2019

    Last night saw Michael Siani go 2-4 with a walk and three stolen bases for the Dayton Dragons. That gives the outfielder 45 steals on the season. The Dragons have two games left. That is important, at least for a statistical chase. Jose Siri stole 46 bases on the Cincinnati Reds farm system in 2017. Siani could top that with just two more steals. If he were to get there, it would make the highest single season total in the farm system since 2013 when Billy Hamilton (75 steals) and Junior Arias (60 steals) both topped that.

    Billings Mustangs playoff chase

    The Billings Mustangs are in first place in the Pioneer League North Division. Even after last night’s loss they sit at 21-11 in the second half and are up 3.0 games on Missoula. But there are still six games remaining in the season, and the final four games are against the Osprey, as Missoula travels to Billings to wrap up the season on September 4th through 7th.

    Doug Gray
    Doug Gray is the owner and operator of this website and has been running it since 2006 in one variation or another.

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    11 Responses

    2. Does Vlad need to be protected from Rule 5 Draft this offseason?

      Do you think a taste of MLB in September would motivate a player like Siri, or discourage him? Maybe he would benefit from time with Donny?

      1. As far as I can tell, yes, he’ll need protection. He signed in the late summer of 2106 which means four Rule V drafts have taken place since his signing. Since he was over 19 when he signed I believe he has to be protected by this year’s Rule V draft.

        He’s got too much talent to risk being picked up, so I think it’s a pretty easy decision to protect him though.

        1. Well, I incorrectly said four drafts had passed, but only three have with this being the fourth. Here’s what baseball reference says:

          Any player who fits all of the criteria below is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft:

          Player is not on the 40-man roster
          Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 4 years if he was signed after age 19 (was 3 years before the 2006 CBA).
          Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 5 years if he was signed before age 19 (was 4 years before the 2006 CBA).

          My interpretation is that, since VG was signed during the 2016 season he has played (been eligible) for four seasons prior to the 2019 Rule V. 2016, 17, 18, and 19 seasons. Since he was signee after turning 19 it would mean he needs protection.

          I could be wrong, but those are my reasons to think he’s eligible.

        2. Not trying to disagree Nate, but Gutierrez was signed Sept 7, 2016. He did not play in Reds MiL in 2016. He has stats for 2017-2019 (3 years). I doubt he’ll be in the 2019 Rule 5 draft. Friedl signed as a FA 3 weeks before Gutierrez, played some at Billings in 2016, but still from what I see won’t be exposed to the Rule 5 draft this year either.

        3. Ok thanks for explaining Doug.

          No worries Cguy you were right on with this one. I know he didn’t play, but I was under the impression if they signed in the season they were counted, similar to if a guy is drafted but didn’t end up playing due to a long college season. Or a guy injured all season. I was wrong and/or misinterpreting.

          Happy to be wrong when it means the possibility of keeping him here longer.

      2. Roster Resource shows Gutierrez as being “Dec. 2020” . I don’t think he’s exposed to Rule 5 draft this year & maybe not next year. He was signed after Friedl- who’s also listed as not “R 5” which I believe is the designation for being exposed to Rule 5 draft this off-season.

    3. Vlad’s primary issue appears to be consistency from game to game. It seems like just about every time he has a game like this, the next one will be a stinker. I looked over his last 10 games. He’s had 6 good games and 4 bad games.
      In his 6 good games he’s pitched 36.1 innings allowing allowing 8 ER striking out 41 batters and walking just 10.
      In his 4 bad games he’s pitched 16.1 innings allowing 18 ER striking out 11 and walking 12.

      Seems like DJ or Cotham needs to figure out what changes between good Vlad and bad Vlad from start to start.

      2. Agreed. I’m no expert, but his windup and throwing motion seem to be a lot to successfully repeat over and over. Perhaps a spring with DJ will even things out.

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