Yesterday the Reds made two minor league signings. They signed a familiar player in left handed pitcher Jeff Francis. Francis spent part of the 2012 season with the Reds before heading to Colorado where he finished out the year and also spent the 2013 season. His time in the Majors over that span wasn’t good as he posted a 5.84 ERA in 183.1 innings with 46 walks and 139 strikeouts. His peripherals were not bad at all, but he struggled to keep the ball inside the park (both at home and on the road). In AAA in 2013 he posted a 4.34 ERA in the PCL over 37.1 innings pitched with 9 walks and 33 strikeouts. He will provide some depth for the big league rotation, and if he can keep the ball in the park he may even provide solid value as a 6th or 7th starter. He received an invite to spring training.
Their other signing was of 26-year-old outfielder Thomas Neal. Neal has spent small amounts of time in the Majors over the last two seasons, acquiring 41 total plate appearances for the Indians, Yankees and Cubs. After the 2009 season he ranked as the 96th best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America. He spent the 2013 season in AAA with the Yankees, where he hit .325/.391/.411 in 297 plate appearances with 23 walks and 53 strikeouts. The outfielder has hit .337, .291, .289 and .314 over the previous 4 seasons as well between Advanced-A and AAA. His scouting report indicates he uses the entire field well at the plate, has some plate discipline to work with and solid power. He is reportedly a below-average runner and may be limited defensively to left field. If he can play some right field, even in a limited fashion, he could be an interesting backup outfield candidate for the 2014 season.