The Cincinnati Reds have promoted Sammy Stafura to Single-A Daytona. The infielder joined the Tortugas on Sunday afternoon but did not play in the game.
After really struggling in his pro debut in 2023 where he hit just .071 in 12 games, the Reds 2023 2nd round pick has been on fire since the start of the 2024 season. Assigned to the Arizona Complex League Reds, Stafura has hit .346/.449/.582 in 15 games. The infielder has been on base in 14 of those 15 games and had hits in 11 of those 15 games. He’s hit well across the board, adding three doubles, two triples, and two home runs to go along with 18 runs scored and 17 runs batted in. But he’s also done well on the bases, going 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts. Of those four steals, three of them have been steals of home that have come on double steals.
Reds sign two 2023 Draft Picks
Cincinnati was able to add two players to their 2023 draft class over the weekend. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reported that the Reds had signed their 17th and 18th round draft picks from last summer. This is possible because Major League Baseball brought back the draft-and-follow eligibility of players. Basically, a player who is drafted but then chooses to spend the following season at a junior college rather than a 4-year college can be signed until a week before the following year’s draft.
17th round pick JeanPierre Ortiz returned to Chipola where he pitched and played infield. In the batters box he improved in some areas, but not some others. He hit for a higher average and had more stolen bases as a sophomore than he did as a freshman. He his fewer home runs and walked less this past season than he did in 2023. Overall, he was quite similar in his production with small changes in stats here and there.
On the mound there were some real differences from his freshman to sophomore seasons. While he did relieve some as a sophomore, he spent much of the year starting. That led to three times as many innings pitched. He also just pitched better, lowering his ERA by nearly three runs, lowering his walk rate, and raising his strikeout rate.
JeanPierre Ortiz Hitting Stats
JeanPierre Ortiz Pitching Stats
Drew Pestka only pitched in his time at John A. Logan College. He seemed to take a step backwards as a sophomore – at least from a statistical standpoint. His ERA went up, he allowed more hits and home runs while throwing fewer innings, and his strikeout rate took a big time dive. He did pick up some velocity, though, now topping out at 98 MPH after sitting in the low 90’s and touching a tad higher as a freshman.
Drew Pestka Stats
