While there are two different sites for Cincinnati Reds spring training 2.0, once the season begins there will be two “teams”. The Great American Ballpark “site” as it is, won’t exist anymore – that will just be the Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds. But over at Prasco Park, where some players are currently training every day – that will become essentially the “minor league” side of the operation that will provide depth and development options for the team. Just like in regular spring training, though, teams need to make cuts to their rosters in order to get the size down to the roster limits for opening day. That’s 30 players this year, and opening day is in one week. Today saw the team make their first set of “cuts”, sending six players to the “alternate site” roster.
Aristides Aquino headlines the group of six players who were sent to the Prasco Park roster this evening. The outfielder had been crushing the ball in some scrimmages this week, homering twice and hitting a double – the only hit against Trevor Bauer on the day. But in a crowded outfield with plenty of options to choose from, it may have been the fact that Aquino could be optioned while others couldn’t, that led to his particular movement to the Prasco Park roster.
Shortstop prospect Jose Garcia was the only other position player in the set of roster moves today. He has been the subject of plenty of praise of late, and deservedly so, but it’s not surprising to see him reassigned given that he wasn’t expected to make the roster out of spring training 2.0.
Four pitchers also got moved to the alternate roster. Relievers Matt Bowman, Joel Kuhnel, Justin Shafer, and Tyler Thornburg all landed on the Prasco Park roster in today’s round of moves.
Both Matt Bowman and Joel Kuhnel seemed to be guys who were battling for one of those final spots in the bullpen. They both had some success last summer for the big league club in Cincinnati.
Of the six players, five of them were “drafted” onto one of the Reds Summer Series teams that are playing this weekend. Two coaches on the staff drafted a team of players from the player pool to square off in a 3-game series tonight, Saturday, and Sunday – with the winning team of the series getting Monday off. Only Tyler Thornburg, who has been battling some right elbow discomfort, was not picked to participate on one of the two teams. So expect to see some of these guys playing this weekend despite their new roster assignments.
So that leaves Iglesias, Lorenzen, Garrett, Stephenson, Strope, Mahle, Simms, Reed, Jones, Romano, Antone, De Leon, Hendrix and Smith As relief possibilities unless I missed someone. I think the first 8!on my list are set unless there is an injury. Then probably Jones. I really don’t know how he’s been doing during ST, not heard from him. Romana if jones is not healthy or Not pitching well.
Manager D Bell said recently he wants 16 position players and 14 pitchers on his first 30 man roster.
He inferred 5 starting pitchers so that leaves 9 relievers. You have them correctly listed in order.
Iglesias, Lorenzen, Garrett, Stephenson, Strop, Mahle, Sims, Reed, Jones.
I like antone…he has been lights out …but there is only so many spots open ! Go reds !
Winker did take Antone deep yesterday as an opposite field da bomb from da wink.
Cutting Aristides because he “could be optioned while others couldn’t” is bad reasoning and an indication that the club continues to make poor decisions. He carried the club last August, has power and excellent fielding, and has had a great spring. I know you question the swing and miss. But this club needs a little luck to go with the recent additions and they appear to not want to roll the dice on a very talented individual who has shown a lot recently. One that they cut last year also and could have lost.
Aquino, short of an injury opening up playing time, would get 25 at-bats this season. There simply is too much depth there right now. And if someone does get hurt, then they can bring him up and play him. But right now, there simply is not any playing time for guys who aren’t Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos, and Shogo Akiyama. Phillip Ervin is out of options, so he’ll be there, too.
In a situation where no one is getting playing time unless an injury pops up, it’s very easy to make sense and not be “bad reasoning” to put Aquino over at Prasco Park in order to keep someone around rather than literally cut them and let them to go another organization.