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    Another good day in the AFL for the Reds prospects

    Doug Gray 18

    There was only one game in the Arizona Fall League on Monday and it featured the Glendale Desert Dogs. The Cincinnati Reds didn’t have any players participate in either of their previous two games, but Monday’s contest saw six of Cincinnati’s players involved in the game.

    Tyler Callihan started in left field and was in the leadoff spot for the Desert Dogs once again. He would pick up two hits in five at-bats, steal his third base in as many games, and he drove in a run. Edwin Arroyo was right behind him in the lineup. He got the start at shortstop on the day, picked up a hit in four at-bats, walked once, stole a base, and he scored two runs. Christian Encarnacion-Strand picked up two more hits on the day and is hitting a clean .500, going 2-4 in all three games he’s played.

    On the mound there were also three Reds players during the day. Jose Acuna started the game and threw three shutout innings with two strikeouts. He allowed two hits, walked three batters, and he hit another. It wasn’t the cleanest outing and he certainly had to work himself out of some jams – but he was able to do that.

    Arij Fransen took over for Glendale in the 7th inning and he fired a perfect frame that included two strikeouts. That’s a nice rebound after he struggled in his AFL debut last week, giving up four runs in 1.2 innings on four hits and two walks while striking out just one of the 11 hitters he faced on that day.

    Holding onto a 5-3 lead entering the bottom of the 9th inning, Glendale turned the game over to Luis Mey. The right-handed reliever worked around a walk to throw a hitless inning with a strikeout and pick up his second save of the AFL season.

    Trevor Kuncl gets it done in Mexico

    If you are asking yourself who Trevor Kuncl is, you may not be alone. He signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent last week. He’s a Cincinnati local who went to St. Xavier High School before playing college baseball at George Washington. After that he went and played independent league baseball in the Frontier League and the Atlantic League. He had previously signed with the Rangers in 2024 during spring training but he was released at the end of March.

    He’s currently pitching in the Mexican Winter League for Mexicali. His first outing of the season was a rough one as he allowed four runs in 0.1 innings. He rebounded with a perfect inning the next time out. Last night he did the same thing, firing off a perfect inning with a strikeout.

    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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    18 Responses

      1. Saw him in LF here in Chattanooga. I’d say his actions there as a converted infielder are much like Spencer Steer’s. However, and I mentioned it in the discussion at the time, his arm was very, very strong and very accurate.
        I’d bet he will only play outfield one the AFL to give him experience there and that is probably his future position because of how stacked the Reds minors are in infielders

    3. The fastball is good, but i’d like to see Mey incorporate his other pitch as well to keep hitters off balance. If it’s all fastball all the time, that isn’t going to work at the MLB level.

      2. Well, he should be playing a full season in AAA with more advanced hitters. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the new competition.

      3. Mey reminds me a great deal of the pitching development of Fernando Cruz and though Cruz got started as a pitcher later in the age timeline than Mey, it finally clicked in when he developed a secondary pitch and got enough reps to developed repeatable mechanics. I would like to see them let Mey start to get more opportunity to work on those two areas. But you can’t teach easy 100 mph which he has.

    4. Tyler Callahan seems like he and Ivan Johnson have been around forever. They have both missed significant time with various injuries. Neither really have stood out defensively, as their bats are their best tools.

      Would love for them to stay healthy enough to get some read on them as utility players.

    5. I really don’t know Francona’s history with playing inexperienced players, but I would like to see the Reds take a direction that clears up organization questions. Like India or McLain, what position is Steer going to play, Martinez starter or bullpen, etc. Pick a path, communicate it, then stick with it longer than a week.

      1. Martinez will opt out. India will be traded. Steer is the left fielder. McLain should play SS . Elly to third. Marte or Arroyo at 2nd.

        Get rid of France to save money . Benson is as good as gone . Fraley needs to be replaced.

        1. You know all of this?

          While I agree with some of it, Doug has pointed out many times, as a SS, ELDC is one of the most valuable players in the game, and he should get better until his peak which is years away.

          You know India will be traded? I doubt it.

          NM may opt out, but he may sign a Qualifying offer. I think it’s 50/50 that he will be here. I doubt it’s for 12 mil.

          It’s highly doubtful either Marte or Arroyo are everyday major leaguers yet.

          If nothing changes, I think India will be the 3B next Spring.

          Fraley is and was a back up outfielder. He is good in that role until he gets expensive. No need to replace him for no reason, IMO.

        4. Agree to a point not sure Marte can play any position in the infield. Reds have an abundance of pitching throughout the minors why not try putting together a package with India or Marte and 2-3 pitchers to upgrade the outfield either left or right field.

        5. Marte had never played 3B in a regular season as a pro before 2023 when he began making the move and played 56 games at AA He has played a total of 84 games at 3B in the major leagues. continuing to make the move at the highest level of baseball where the speed of the game is unparalleled. He was rated fringe average before the season and did not help himself much at all. Given the change in his body, getting much, much thicker, his future may be as a 1B/Corner OF, but he’s going to have to hit much more like 23 than 24. Having watched him a lot in AA and AAA as he hit his way to the majors, he is fully capable of being a very good offensive player.

          Marte is a funny kid, ‘funny’ being a bit ‘off,’ which I took to be immaturity this year. It might be just who he is, kind of aloof in a goofy way. I’ve worked with a bunch of kids like Marte (I think) and they usually mature. I think it’s important not to judge him and/or label him (not saying you are), ie as having an attitude problem. But he’s going to have to take his licks and get on it. A lot. Baseball can be cruel. Ask Nick Senzel and Jose Barrero.

    6. Would like to see the Reds hire Tucker Barnhart as a player/coach at Louisville. His offense was never his strong suit and it has even eroded for it’s peak but he has some knowledge to share and defense is still major league quality. If an injury occurred at big league level there should be no problem letting him fill in for a few weeks.

    7. What’s the board’s feeling about Ryan Mountcastle? He’s a RH Bat, listed as a 1st Baseman but has played several positions. Getting squeezed out in Baltimore by younger talent. His power numbers would improve at our park. India to Baltimore might not be a fit, but the Reds have made several 3 team trades before. Steer claims he’s most comfortable at 2b.

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