Edit: Added another link at 3pm
Keith Law chatted on ESPN.com yesterday and touched on multiple Reds prospect questions. Here is a highlight:
Q: Klaw, could you briefly explain why you have Mesoraco ahead of Grandal? I only ask based on things you’ve written in the past about Mesoraco’s defense (or lack thereof)…didn’t think you’d have him rated that highly. Seems like Grandal is more polished defensively and could be a legit switch hitter with power.
A: Talked to guys who saw Mesoraco earlier than I did and they were bullish on the glove – and I learned about the bruised finger that gave him trouble in Fall League. Hand/wrist/finger injuries don’t get the same publicity as a blown elbow or torn ACL, but they strongly impact performance.
Yesterday I talked about the Reds prospects and system with Al over at BullpenBanter.com. I talked about Yonder Alonso, Billy Hamilton, Juan Francisco and a few other players. Go give it a read, but be warned, I went on for a while with some things.
Hal McCoy has up an interview with Bill Bavasi. There are some interesting things in the interview, but this part about Yonder Alonso is particularly interesting:
“We won’t trade him,” he said. “We’ve tried him in the outfield and he gets to ball he should get to, but he doesn’t have the speed to make the great plays. But we can’t move him. He is exactly the kind of player Walt loves – he hits the ball hard, puts the ball in play, doesn’t strike out. I’m not so sure it would do him any good to sit on the bench this year so he’ll probably go back (to Class AAA Louisville) and play and work. He won’t be kept just to pinch-hit because it is tough for a kid to learn to do that.”
To me, I read into that and see them saying that Alonso might get some time in the outfield again in 2011. They could just be saying that to up his trade value, but I think that they feel similarly to how I do in regards to his bat…. it is going to play anywhere on the field you put it and its going to be quite valuable. I think the Reds will do all that they can to get him in their line up.
The Louisville Bats and Cincinnati Reds announced an extension of their current player development contract through 2014. Here is the press release from the Bats.
Louisville, KY – The Louisville Bats have announced an extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Cincinnati Reds through 2014. This extends the previous agreement which was set to expire after the 2012 baseball season.
“The Reds are thrilled to have the opportunity to formally extend our relationship with the people operating one of the truly great professional baseball operations and keep our Triple-A club in one of America’s finest cities,” said Reds VP of Scouting, Player Development and International Operations Bill Bavasi. “The Bats front office didn’t win the 2010 Bob Freitas Award by accident. This is one of our industry’s most prestigious awards and we are so happy for Gary Ulmer, Dale Owens and Greg Galiette, who run a great operation year-in and year-out. It is clearly our great good fortune to be associated with dedicated professionals in a terrific city.”
From 1982-1997, the Louisville franchise spent the first 16 years of its existence as the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Louisville began a two-year Triple-A affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1998 and became the Reds top farm club in 2000, the first year of play at Louisville Slugger Field. During their affiliation with Cincinnati, Louisville won their first ever Governors’ Cup in 2001 and has reached the post-season five times, including the last three seasons (2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010).
“This is an exciting time for Cincinnati Reds baseball and we are pleased to announce the continuation of our long term relationship,” added Bats President Gary Ulmer. “Our partnership is strong and we look forward to being a Reds affiliate for many years to come.”
The 2011 season will mark the 12th year at Louisville Slugger Field and the 12th season as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bats open their 2011 season at home on Thursday, April 7 vs. Toledo at 6:35.
Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at (502) 212-2287 or visiting www.batsbaseball.com.