Farmers Only Featured Farmhand: Matt Fairel

by BK on May 14, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in Farmers only

For the first time this season, we'll give Dragons fans something to look forward to as the Featured Farmhand series moves to Dayton. A lot of players there are struggling, but the shining star of this group has been left-handed starting pitcher Matt Fairel.

Matt Fairel's a lefthanded pitcher from Winter Haven, FL.
He was drafted by the Reds in the 35th (!) round last year. Not a bad bargain.
In his last year at Florida State, Fairel was 12-2 in 18 starts with a 3.79 ERA. He struck out 100 hitters in his 111.2 innings of work.
He didn't play rookie ball last year. Not sure if he signed late or what, but he made his professional debut in Dayton this year.
His numbers so far this year have been extremely promising. In 37 1/3 innings pitched, Fairel is 1-2 with an ERA of 3.45, but leads the Midwest League in strikeouts with 49. His K/9 this year is 11.81, which is not too shabby.
In his 7 starts for Dayton this season, he's already had 3 double-digit strikeout games.

On to Wednesday's games:

Homer Bailey had a halfway decent start, but ultimately got the loss in a 4-3 loss to Durham. Bailey went 6 innings, and gave up 4 runs while striking out 4 and walking nobody. Nobody on the offense really did anything special, but Andrew Robert Stubbs went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 9 games. Up next: Daryl Thompson takes on the Bulls at 7:05.
Justin Mallett turned in his best start of the season, but it wasn't good enough as Carolina lost to Birmingham 2-1. Mallett went 7 2/3 innings and gave up 2 ER while striking out 5, and Michael Griffin had 3 of the Mudcats 5 hits on the evening. Chris Heisey had the day off. Up next: Jordan Smith takes on Birmingham next at 8:05.
Sarasota was rained out. Jeremy Horst takes on Jupiter tonight at 7.
Featured Farmhand Matt Fairel was stellar, as Dayton beat West Michigan 2-1. Fairel went 6 innings of one-run ball, striking out 13 Whitecaps hitters, his season high. Mace Thurman was just as good in relief, going 3 innings and giving up one hit, while striking out 7 and walking nobody. Jose Gualdron led the way for the offense, going 3-for-3 with a homer, and Cody Puckett had two doubles as the Dragons rolled. Up next: Dayton plays West Michigan behind Josh Ravin starting at 7.

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By the way, for the Brayniacs out there still pining for Billy Boy to replace DRH in the 'pen

Lance McAlister has this for you:

Reds reliever Bill Bray will return to Cincinnati next week for Tommy John surgery. He’s been on the DL since April 6 with an elbow strain. He’s currently in Sarasota where he was attempting to rehab the elbow. He appeared in three games for AAA Louisville this year.

"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san

by BK on May 14, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Call him up now!

Let me write out a formal proof for you.

by Gray on May 14, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

The fact that he hasn't changed his name to Laynce McAlister makes me question his support of this team

by Brendanukkah on May 14, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

i wonder if the Reds will place him on the big league DL

if they don’t, this really sucks for Bray because he won’t collect a years service time, and will spend all season collecting minor league pay.

Bloop

by justin007000 on May 14, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Fairel was a bargain as far as the round

in which he was selected, but the Reds paid him $250,000 to sign. He was a star at Florida State. Here’s hoping he’s worth every penny.

I like seeing the Reds pay well over slot to sign a later-round draft choice. Boston has made a living off of that strategy, which helps the Red Sox overcome consistently having low picks in the first round. They got Lars Anderson, a tremendous first base prospect, in the 17th round a few years ago doing this.

The Reds impressively used this approach last year to sign Fairel and Juan Carlos Sulbaren.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 15, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Going over slot question

If a rising junior like Fairel is drafted, is he eligible to go back to school if he doesn’t sign so long as he doesn’t hire an agent? If not, then I don’t see the point of going over slot because the team has most of the leverage. Fairel’s only option would be the independent leagues.

by ken on May 15, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

im no draft maven like TT

but im pretty sure as long as he doesnt sign an agent he has the option to go back for his senior season. which is what makes the over-slot money so critical.

go look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls

by Charlie Scrabbles on May 15, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions