Louisville got big days from a whole lot of players, but Chuckie Robinson homered twice in a wild 17-12 victory, Chattanooga needed a 6-run 8th inning and then extras but they came out on top in their series opener against Rocket City, Tyler Callihan homered for Dayton, and Carlos Jorge and Cam Collier both homered while Arij Fransen set a career high in strikeouts in the Tortugas win.
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The Louisville Bats won 17-12. Box Score
- Alejo Lopez went 4-6 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.
- Nick Martini went 4-6 with a home run (1), 2 runs, and 3 RBI.
- Jason Vosler went 1-4 with 2 walks, 3 runs, and an RBI.
- Matt Reynolds went 4-6 with a double, home run (6), 3 runs, a steal (2), and 4 RBI.
- TJ Hopkins went 3-5 with a walk, home run (7), 2 runs, and 3 RBI.
- Michael Siani went 0-3 with 3 walks and a run.
- Chuckie Robinson went 2-5 with 2 home runs (5) and 4 RBI.
- Pedro Garcia threw 2.0 shutout innings with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
- Joel Kuhnel threw a hitless inning with a walk.
- Daniel Duarte threw a shutout inning with a strikeout.
The Chattanooga Lookouts won 8-6 in 11. Box Score
- Quincy McAfee went 2-5 with a walk, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.
- James Free went 2-5 with a home run (3) and a walk.
- Rece Hinds went 1-5 with a walk, run, and an RBI.
- Daniel Vellojin went 1-5 with a walk.
- Allan Cerda went 1-4 with a walk.
- Ivan Johnson went 2-5 with a double and an RBI.
- Nick Northcut went 1-5 with a run.
- Andy Fisher threw 1.1 shutout innings with a walk and a strikeout.
- Manuel Cachutt threw 2.0 hitless innings with 2 strikeouts.
- Tommy Eveld threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.
- Stevie Branche threw 2.0 shutout innings with a walk and 4 strikeouts.
- Spencer Stockton threw a perfect inning.
The Dayton Dragons lost 3-2. Box Score
- Blake Dunn went 1-3 and was hit by a pitch.
- Tyler Callihan went 1-4 with a home run (4).
- Mat Nelson went 2-3 with a double, walk, and a run.
- Hunter Parks allowed 1 earned run in 4.0 innings with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.
- Owen Holt allowed a run in 2.0 innings with a walk and a strikeout.
- John Murphy threw 2.0 hitless innings with 3 walks.
The Daytona Tortugas won 3-2. Box Score
- Hector Rodriguez went 1-4 with a run.
- Carlos Jorge went 2-3 with a walk and a home run (4).
- Cam Collier went 2-4 with a home run (3) and 2 RBI.
- Victor Acosta went 1-3.
- Arij Fransen allowed 2 runs in 5.0 innings with 8 strikeouts.
- Bryce Hubbart threw 4.0 shutout innings with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.
5/24 Game Preview
| Team | Record | Time (ET) | Probable | Box Score | Listen | Watch |
| Louisville | 22-23 | 11:05am | Abbott | Here | Here | Here |
| Chattanooga | 20-19 | 7:35pm | Roa | Here | Here | Here |
| Dayton | 17-23 | 11:05am | Petty | Here | Here | Here |
| Daytona | 17-23 | 6:35pm | Abel | Here | Here | N/A |
I can remember only one other time in Reds’ history where their outlook seemed (and was) so promising – with the combination of their young players and the bonafide prospects in waiting.
In ~1986, they had a young nucleus of Barry Larkin, Eric Davis, Kurt Stillwell (welp), Kal Daniels, Paul O’Neill and Tracy Jones (he of WLW fame). The FO then traded for arms like Danny Jackson, Jose Rijo and Randy Myers! Can we catch lightening in a bottle again? Boy do I hope so…
More like infamy since they fired him.
Hopkins, and Robinson need to stay in AAA. They are not fooling anyone with all this hitting their doing. I need to see at least 1 more year just to be sure.
Hopkins has no business in Cincinnati taking at-bats away from Wil Myers.
I believe Hopkins has a pretty good hitting history prior to 2023. You know SoCal Reds Fan to build on your point, they could let you take some of Myers at bats with little difference in performance.
Hopkins has been league average to slightly better than average with a wRC+ of 99 as a rookie, ~110 at AA, and 100 last season at AAA. This year he’s at an unworldly 154. His BABIP is also 100 points above last season and even more than his career numbers. His K-rates are down 1-2 percent from last year, his walk rate is way up, and his ISO is way up. Steamer and Zips project him as an 80 wRC+ hitter in the majors, essentially the same as Fairchild, but with less speed and defense. When you’re not on the 40-man, you must be better than the slumping player you might replace on the 26-man roster.
Several Bats hitters are posting career years outside of our top prospects, which makes me a little skeptical. All 30 teams could have had him–all 30 teams declined to add him to their 40-man rosters. He’s not on any publications’ list of top prospects. Has Hopkins unlocked something this year that he didn’t have before? If this is the case, then he’s good enough to bump Myers off the roster today.
However, is he feasting on bad AAA pitching, benefitting from hitting in a stacked lineup, or simply the same player he was last year, then promoting won’t produce even a marginal improvement?
I don’t know the answer to these questions, but I think they are the ones that need to be answered.
@BK, If 23 is about sorting players, you have to be willing to move on from players who have little chance of sticking around. I’m there on Fairchild. Hopkins may not be the answer, but he’s put in his time, and he’s getting great results in AAA. It’s time to see what he can do as a Red.
We have Friedl, everyday guy, solid. Fraley, LHB platoon, solid, and then nothing…. Fairchild? No. Ramos? No. Myers? No. Benson? Probably not, still needs another shot. I want to see Hopkins, because soon some of the infielders are going to be kicked out to the OF to get their playing time, and AB’s are going to become limited.
@MBS, I’m willing to move on from players. Just want the ones that come up to outperform their replacements. Churning for churning’s sake accomplishes nothing. I’ll be happy if Hopkins is more productive than others. We’re just in week #7 of the MiLB season. McLain is up. Others will be too later in the season.
We are not going to see this the same. I don’t see it as churn to churn, but eliminating a known deficit, for an unproven with asset with clear upside.
Worst case scenario is Hopkins gets up to the Reds, and can’t compete.
Most likely scenario is Hopkins get up to the Reds, and does similar to Fairchild.
Best scenario is Hopkins gets up to the Reds, and earns a long term role, probably as a 4th OF type.
If the worst case scenario happens, there are tons of Fairchild like AAAA OF replacements out there. We have several in house, and the rest are easy to acquire.
Chuckie probably wouldn’t hit much up here, but Casali has no business keeping him from being here
Except the pitching staff has their best games when he’s behind the plate.
Like casali is doing any better in the bigs
Bottom Line is they just need to get rid of the three catchers. I see the NFL again approved their 3 QB rule where than can be three qb’s dressed but only two need to count against active roster and can only play as the result of an injury. In the Reds case that could be former minor league catcher and current bullpen catcher Daniel Duarte who is still young enough to get them through the end of the game in a pinch.
Robinson- It’s funny how a lot of the pitchers love him catching them. Them seem to be in sync with him. His hitting has been amazing thus far!
If this young man hit every ball…Got on base… Hit homers… Never struck out… You probably would still have something negative to say. Look at the numbers.. He is doing better than the ones that are at the SHOW catching.
Hopkins – Is hitting very well also. Same thing… you would still have something negative to say if he was hitting everything. Why not say something encouraging to him? Lift him up to continue doing well. Nah you would rather drag these players who are just working to provide for their families. Two good guys!
The world thrives on the negative…
OHHHHH~ I’m sorry~ you are the player that is doing everything perfect making millions! Makes sense!
Silly comment, especially the last po[intless sentence which just took away from your post entirely.
There are a lot of fringy sorts that you have to use scouting for to determine if they’re any better than who you have. I’m not for the Reds cycling the guys who’ve had a good month in AAA into the majors just to jettison similar players. It’s pointless and when injuries occur suddenly your caught with your pants down.
BK never said they can’t be major leaguers. I want them to get their shot as much as you do, but If you’re just ignoring the warning signs because they’re “negative” then you’ve not done your due diligence.
Abbott and Petty at 8:05 am west coast start times …
time to move west
It’s probably beyond time to get Fisher to Louisville.
Looking forward to watching Abbott and Petty pitch while I should be working today!
You don’t want to rush a guy so young, but Jorge really might force his way to Dayton if he keeps going the way he’s going.
It’s incredible the number of runs LOuisville has to score to win a game. But have to hand it to them, they find a way. There is very little pitching in Louisville. They are going to need another 3 to 5 starting pitchers to get thru the schedule this year.
Poor joe Boyle, all the talent but can’t find the plate. I wonder if he has spent any time with a sports psychologist?
Good pitching from Parks, Franssen and hubbart. Ces and EDLC with quiet nights.
EDLC quiet night is easily explained – he didn’t play, according to the box score. That’s about as quiet as one can get.
Knowing him, he was probably loud in the dugout, cheering on his teammates. He is that kind of guy!
Matt Reynolds is playing for his baseball life at this point. I think his .971 OPS shows he understands this.
Curious to see if Carlos Jorge will get promoted before the all-star break.
We need to trade India, Arroyo, and another prospect ( maybe Calihan, Hopkins etc) for a controllable starting pitcher or a good controllable outfielder that we can count on to lengthen our line up. We are bottom 5 in strike outs, and bottom five in home runs. The pitching problem is obvious and is rampant around the league, we are not the only team with this problem.
Trading India is not a particularly good idea. We have McClain, EDLC, Senzel, Barrerro, Steer, CES and Marte and India to fill out the infield, DH and one or two as outfielders. You also have Freel and and Fraley in the outfield.
It probably ends up with India in Left and Fraley in right but you first have to settle on your SS and 2nd baseman. Probably 3b as well. Is Senzels resurgence real or a mirage. Steer looks like a solid MLB player a CES just might be a star as he has raked thru the minors. Is is EDLC, MCLain or Marte at SS next year. Smart move would be to dump Cassali, Meyers and probably send Barrerro back to Indy to work on CF and hitting.
Getting these guys up soon sets up next year to be an interesting opportunity
Do the Reds really have so much offense for their 2024 team, and beyond that they should trade their most productive position player?
LOL…My thoughts exactly.
Watching Petty this morning and at least in first three innings and his control is impeccable. He is throwing all his pitches and catcher isn’t moving his glove.
Petty was impressive. Abbott looking very, very sharp as well.
Yes, really nice starts by Petty and Abbott.
Both Petty and Abbott need promoted to continue development. They’ve both proven enough.
Can Phillips fill the void at AAA? I don’t know if it’s the right timing for him. He should show dominance at AA before moving up, right now he sits at leagues average for many of his stats (which is good for his age).
Let’s hope the Reds restock the farm with pitching. We have great depth in position players. I bet they’ll pick up one with their first pick in the draft and perhaps trade for another near the deadline
Disagree on Petty. He just turned 20, he’s from a cold weather state/high school, he threw 98 innings in his first full season last year, is still on a restrictive pitch limit. There are things to learn and accomplish before moving up to a higher stress league, such as getting much deeper into games, working on his lesser pitches, and going through some inevitable failures. I’d say Dayton is the right place for him to increase his innings and polish his second/third pitches. If he’s there by the all star break, perhaps, especially with the sticky ball at AA going away then.
EDLC just scored from 3B on a TJ Hopkins check swing dribbler that made it about 5 feet from the plate, to the third base side at that. Sometimes it’s like watching Eric Davis play in a middle school game.
Lorenzo Cedrola sighting with the Syracuse Mets.
He made a heck of a catch (can’t remember who it was against all of an hour ago because my brain is basically soup at this point).
Hit that screamer right at CES for a double play that saved at least two runs scored for Abbott. Be nice if he got a chance somewhere in a Fairchild role. He’s slugging a bit more this year. Never know.
anybody made the comparison between abbot and tom browning? he looks a lot like him on the mound, throws around the same speeds, hit the corners… we’d be lucky if he turned out as good.
Congrats Eduardo Salazar. I have a hunch we may not be seeing much more of you down here in minor league world. Well earned!