Farmers Only: More bullpen woes for Louisville

by BK on Apr 26, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in Farmers only

Louisville lost 6-5 after more bullpen troubles. Dontrelle Willis had another solid start, going 7 innings and giving up 2 runs with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Kyle McCulloch got into a jam in the 8th, but Danny Ray Herrera bailed him out. In the 9th, DRH tried to nail down the save with a 2 run lead, but gave up 3 runs, including the game winner. Daniel Dorn hit his 3rd homer of the year for the offense, and Fast Fred Lewis was 1-for-5 with a double on his rehab assignment. Up next: Johnny Cueto will take the mound against Durham at 6:35.
Carolina won 6-4 behind some serious firepower by Cody Puckett. Puckett hit 2 homers, his 4th and 5th of the season, and drove in 4 of the 6 Mudcat runs. Mike Costanzo was 3-for-4 and drove in the other 2. James Avery got the start and gave up 4 runs in 6, but the bullpen was strong with Jeff Jeffords, Brad Boxberger, and Nick Christiani all contributing hitless innings to nail down the win. Up next: Dallas Buck takes the hill against Chattanooga at 7:15.
Bakersfield lost 9-3 to Visalia. Curtis Partch got the start gave up 8 runs (5 earned) in 5 innings pitched, and the offense wasn't much better. Josh Fellhauer drove in 2 runs with a double, one of only 3 hits produced by the Blaze all evening. Ouch. Up next: J.C. Sulbaran takes on Visalia at 10:15.
Dayton won 3-1 on another great start by Daniel Corcino. Corcino went 5 innings and gave up 1 run (unearned) and struck out 7 more to bring his season total to 21 (tied for 5th in the league). Justin Braun, Drew Hayes, and Blaine Howell combined for 4 innings of 1-hit scoreless relief. Juan Duran hit a 2-run shot for his second homer of the year, and that was more than enough. Up next: Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at 7, with Tanner Robles taking the mound.

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Comments

Puck is having quite a season.

I still am not sold on much of our minor league talent, though. Deep, yes, but studs? No. Votto is irreplaceable, but I’m not optimistic that we have a mitigatory replacement, even.

by jsl413 on Apr 26, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

... Yonder is still Joey's replacement if it comes to that.

"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."

by crolfer on Apr 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

In 3 years???

by jsl413 on Apr 26, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah.

That’s a long time. Never know who could emerge by then. Maybe Soto will start hitting or Duran will fill out and be moved. In the mean time, we have Mike Costanzo! He makes Pujols look like a bum.

"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."

by crolfer on Apr 26, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's probably wishful thinking

to believe that any number of guys in the farm will keep the Reds on the plus side.
Any or all of them, yeah, but three years, agreed, is a long time in baseball.
Trades and FA signings are just as likely.
There is a new crop of signees every year, not including the finds you get in Korea, Taiwan and other places now, such as the Netherlands.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on Apr 26, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

More on Costanzo please!!!

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on Apr 26, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

the system is lacking some in star power type talent

though its not completely bare either, the top two catchers have potential to be that, billy hamilton, maybe yorman. Alonso some chance too.

by pack_fan on Apr 26, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Might I also remind folks that Joey Votto was considered a solid player but not a future superstar when he was in the minors.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on Apr 26, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I had that thought after reading jake's comment

that and he is a once in a generation type talent, no way we can expect another guy like that.

by pack_fan on Apr 26, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

well, they also have Jeremy Hermida

who was a can’t miss future star in the minors.

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Apr 26, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Dave Sappelt sure is turning me into a believer

I wonder how long they’ll keep him in AAA if he keeps raking.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on Apr 26, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

See, we talked about this at Brother's.

You weren’t sold then. But man, dude is STILL on fire from spring training. I don’t believe in the power, but he could probably be a .260/.330/.450ish guy with excellent speed, no?

by jsl413 on Apr 26, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I doubt he gets to that high of a SLG or OBP with only a .260 avg.

That would require probably a 9-10% walk rate and would mean a .190 ISO, and I’m not sure he has that in him.

And that’s my only concern with him. His numbers are extremely average driven, which can go away fast. BUT, he makes very good contact and seems to consistently hit the ball hard. Combined with his speed I think he can hit for a very good average in the bigs. I think .300/.340/.450 is entirely possible, at least for a time.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on Apr 26, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Hm. Yeah, I didn't think that line through very well.

But I just looked at Bakersfield numbers, and holy shit.

Yasmani is tearing it up in a huge way. Campbell (non prospect, right?) and Fellhauer too. SSS, but what a start for those guys.

by jsl413 on Apr 26, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

he's the next Victorino!

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Apr 26, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be useful.

by jsl413 on Apr 26, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I'd definitely take that

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on Apr 26, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

their path through the minors is fairly similar, as well.

They both struggled with their walk rates (relatively), and flashed SLG %’s around .400.

Victorino (who was a rule 5 draft pick, as you all know), didn’t really have things click until his 24 year old season; Sappelt didn’t really click until his 23 season (last year).

Dave isn’t a switch hitter, but given the .113 OPS difference Victorino has, maybe he shouldn’t be either.

I’m holding out hope.

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Apr 26, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

The only thing about that is, Victorino's fine for a CFer, but I'd like to see a bit more out of my LFer

V has a .771 lifetime OPS. With awesome LF defense, I’d take that, but I’d rather have something a bit higher.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on Apr 26, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

sup bra

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on Apr 26, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

True.

A single and a stolen base only counts as a single for slugging %, but it’s just as good as a double in my book, though.

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Apr 26, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

It may actually be worth more

if it unravels the pitcher. Ah, the theory of baseball.

I like doubles more.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on Apr 26, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Sappelt is getting a lot of gapper doubles

I’ve watched a few games on the little screen here at MiLB headquarters in my room, and he is definitely hitting the ball with authority almost every time up.

I realize that AAA pitching isn’t the big leagues, but a good eye for a hitting selection will help him. I hope he gets a call once the Reds realize that. I just wish he could bat lefty.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on Apr 26, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions