Matt Maloney was slicin' up eyeballs last night
until he had to leave the game with a blister. He retired 10 of the last 11 Rockies he faces, and threw only 66 pitches over his 5 innings. "That’s the best I’ve thrown since I’ve been up here. It’s just real frustrating to have command of my cutter and sinker, getting groundballs like I did, and then to have to come out for something like this." I feel like I'm stating the obvious here, but I think Maloney is a much more exciting prospect than he gets credit for.

He's only 25 this year, but he's been stuck in AAA for two straight seasons, though arguably it is through no fault of his own. Though his ERA was an unattractive 4.68 last season, his peripherals were better than that. His career minor league numbers are sterling, with a 3.29 ERA, an 8.9 K/9, a 2.8 BB/9, and a 0.7 HR/9 rate. Those are numbers that look to translate into success at the Major League level. The knock on him has always been that his stuff is merely average, that these numbers are an illusion caused by his dominance of inferior competition. Put him in there against big leaguers and he'll be exposed. This is presumably why the Reds have kept him in AAA since he was 23. But with a rotation spot open for next season because of the injury to Edinson Volquez, I would love to see Maloney get his shot. He's certainly earned it.

It is interesting in that Maloney is in many ways a perfect foil to Homer Bailey.  Bailey is the uberprospect blessed with unnatural abilities, rushed through the minors and expected to do great things.  Take a look at Homer's career minor league line - 3.60 ERA, 9.1 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and 0.7 HR/9.  Nearly identical, save for Homer walking a batter per 9 more.  Of course Maloney is 2 years older, but they started their pro careers at the same time.  It will be really interesting to follow these guys over the next few years.  Hopefully they both succeed in Red.

Jay Bruce will stay with the Bats for at least their first round playoff series with the Durham Bulls
"He said he was swinging better," Baker said. "He stole a couple of bases. His legs are feeling fine. His wrist was a little tight in the beginning but once it loosens up, it’s fine. Last night, he faced someone throwing 95, 96. He was little tardy. But he caught up and got a base hit to left. He said that was the first real real high-octane fastball test he had."

Ryan Hanigan is all set to come off the DL today
Here's what Dusty had to say: "[Miller] and Tatum both have done a good job," Baker said. "We really raided Triple-A, but at the same time, we need another catcher. Most teams have three catchers at this time. With the need to pinch-run for Corky and Tatum or the need to pinch-hit sometimes for both of them, a third catcher would really help us out." Hopefully Hanigan will start the majority of the remaining games, but I''m gonna wager that we still see Corky Miller more often than we should.

Chris Sabo's Goggles says it makes perfect sense for the Reds to go after Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan
which is precisely why it will not happen.

Joey Votto is slumping pretty hard lately
"I've made some bad decisions at the plate lately," Votto said before Monday's game. "It's been a difficult year for me. I'm not using it as an excuse, but it's definitely been a factor. I feel kind of worn out lately. Every day has been kind of a battle to get through. I know it's baseball. This year in general has been a challenge." For you and me both, brother.

FanGraphs is taking a look at some of the primetime prospects we'll see in the AFL this year
and today they took a look at the Peoria Saguaros, where the selected Reds prospects will play. They have blurbs on Yonder Alonso and Chris Heisey, questioning the power potential of each of them.