This week's Featured Farmhand is the talk of Reds Nation lately, infielder Adam Rosales. Some fun facts:
- Adam Rosales was a 12th round pick by the Reds in the 2005 draft, out of Western Michigan University. The only other Red to reach the majors out of that draft? First round pick Jay Bruce.
- The year he got drafted, he hit a ton in Billings and Dayton. Between Dayton and Sarasota in 2006, he wasn't as good. In 2007, he brought his slugging up big time.
- Last year in AAA, he hit .287/.339/.463 in 117 games.
- Defensively, he was exclusively a SS in his first two years. In 2007 between A+ and AA, he started moving around the field, playing 1B, 3B, SS, and OF.
- He added 2B to his repertoire in 2008, although has played the vast majority of his games at 1B since 2007.
- He had 10 errors in 179 chances at 3B last year in Louisville. Last year in 330 chances, Edwin Encarnacion had 23 errors, for a slightly worse fielding percentage. (My point: Not much of an upgrade.)
- His numbers reflect his scouting report, that he has some pop in his bat, but he's more of a doubles hitter than a home run hitter. He also doesn't walk much.
- Rosales batted .260/.345/.480 in Spring Training this year, but didn't make the team, with Paul Janish getting the nod over him for the utility infielder spot.
- The most important thing: he's picked up right where he left off in Louisville so far this year. In his 61 AB in 16 games, he's batting .426/.471/.770, with 7 doubles, 4 HR, and 13 RBI.
On to the games:
- Louisville beat Indianapolis 6-3, as Featured Farmhand Adam Rosales continued his hot hitting. Rosie went 3-for-3 to boost his average to .426. He won't be in Louisville much longer. Drew Stubbs had two hits to boost his average over the Mendoza line, and Wes Bankston hit his 6th HR of the year to tie the IL lead. Daryl Thompson started and was one out away from a quality start, and Carlos Fisher, Robert Manuel, and Josh Roenicke combined for 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief. Up next: The Bats close out the series with a day game, as Ramon Ramirez takes the hill in an 11:05 start.
- Carolina won their game by scoring two in the 9th to win 6-4. Justin Mallett got his first start for the Cats, but didn't go 5 innings. Federico Baez pitched two hitless in relief to get the win, his second of the season, and Sean Watson pitched a scoreless 9th for his first save. Logan Parker was 4-for-5 for the Cats, and Chris Heisey and Juan Francisco were 3-for-4. Lots to like in Carolina tonight as well. Up next: Misael DeJesus takes on Tennessee in a day game, 11:30 ET.
- Yonder Alonso hit a grand slam to bring he Sarasota Reds back from a 6-0 deficit to win 8-7. Zach Stewart gave up 6 R in 3 2/3 innings, but only 3 ER, and Luis Montano got the win in long relief. Logan Ondrusek pitched a hitless inning, and Canadian Sensation Phillippe-Alexandre Valiquette pitched the 9th for his second save of the season. Denis Phipps led the way for the Sarasota offense, going 3-for-4 with a triple, and Justin Reed and Alex Buchholz both had two hits. Up next: Jeremy Horst takes on Charlotte, 7 PM.
- Dayton was rained out. Up next: Curtis Partch and Josh Ravin go for the Dragons in a doubleheader, starting at 5 PM.