I wanted to start things off by talking about the people in Japan and what they are dealing with after the earthquake and tsunami. I am sure by now that most of you have seen pictures, video and read stories and accounts of some of the things that have been going on over there. The video I have seen has been without a single doubt in my mind, the most incredible things that I have ever seen. The absolute destruction that took place because of the tsunami seemed like something you would see in a movie that wouldn’t look real. But it was. I try to keep things as close to baseball as I can on here, but I feel that this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime occasions where everyone needs to sit back and take in everything that took place.
Back to the baseball.
Mark Sheldon has an article up on Devin Mesoraco over at Reds.com. Mesoraco is hitting .400 through Sunday’s game. Go give the article a read.
John Fay has up some notes on Chris Heisey and the extra outfield spot, but in them is a note on Dave Sappelt from Dusty Baker:
“Sappelt is behind Heisey,” Baker said. “Heisey is more fundamentally sound right now. Yesterday, Sappelt thought he saw something he didn’t see. He tried to steal third and got thrown out. Those are some things we’re talking about.”
Base stealing is one of the things that Sappelt must work on. Despite very good speed, he has only been successful on 65% of his steals in the minor leagues. It is perhaps his biggest weakness and it is one that he can improve upon with experience and work.
The Reds played 4 games since the last update Friday morning. Here is how the prospects performed in each one.
Friday vs the Rangers
- Dave Sappelt went 2-3 with a run.
- Andrew Means went 0-2.
- Devin Mesoraco went 0-2.
- Todd Frazier went 0-2.
- Juan Francisco went 0-3.
- David Vidal went 0-1.
- Juan Duran went 0-1.
- Yasmani Grandal went 0-1.
- Zack Cozart went 0-3.
- Billy Hamilton went 1-1 with a run.
- Danny Dorn went 0-2.
- Michael Griffin went 1-1.
- Chris Valaika went 1-3 with 2 RBI.
- Kris Negron went 1-1 with an RBI double.
- Donnie Joseph threw 2 shutout innings with 2 strikeouts.
- Daryl Thompson allowed a run in 2 innings of work.
Saturday at the Cubs
- Miguel Rojas went 0-1.
- Ryan LaMarre went 0-1 with a walk.
- Henry Rodriguez went 1-2.
- Cody Puckett went 0-1.
- Felix Perez went 0-1.
- Yonder Alonso went 1-3 with a run.
- Mike Costanzo went 1-1.
- Yasmani Grandal went 0-1.
- Philippe Valiquette allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.
- Jerry Gil threw a perfect inning of work with 2 strikeouts.
- Scott Carroll threw a scoreless inning of work with 2 strikeouts.
Saturday against the Cubs
- Andrew Means went 0-2.
- Zack Cozart went 3-3 with a double, 2 runs and 2 RBI.
- Billy Hamilton went 0-2.
- Danny Dorn went 2-2 with a walk, double and HR.
- Juan Francisco went 1-2 with a walk and RBI.
- David Vidal went 0-2.
- Juan Duran went 0-2.
- Devin Mesoraco went 2-3 with 2 runs.
- Todd Frazier went 0-3 with a run.
- Michael Griffin went 2-2 with a run.
- Dave Sappelt went 1-2 with a walk and a run.
- Chris McMurray went 2-2 with an RBI.
- Chris Valaika went 1-2 with a run.
- Kris Negron went 1-2 with 2 RBI.
Sunday vs Angels
- Ryan LaMarre went 0-1.
- Kris Negron went 0-1.
- Jefry Sierra went 0-1.
- Danny Dorn went 0-1.
- Alex Buchholz went 0-1.
- Todd Frazier went 1-1 with a walk.
- Yonder Alonso went 0-2.
- Devin Mesoraco went 0-2.
- Yasmani Grandal went 1-1 with a run.
- Chris McMurray went 0-1.
- Sam LeCure threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.
Lots and lots of action over the weekend. Most of our guys are still hitting well and the pitchers are still throwing very well. I don’t remember the last time it was this late in the spring and so many guys were performing this well who really have little to no shot to actually make the roster. The depth that the Reds have is what is going to make them the NL Central favorites for years to come (along with the parts they currently have at the MLB level).