The minor league starts Thursday, so we decided we'd take a closer look at the farm teams that the future Reds will be playing for this year. First up in our series is the AAA Louisville Bats. This team is absolutely loaded with talent, and should once again contend in the International League for a playoff spot for the third year in a row.
Louisville Bats
City: Louisville, KY
League Affiliation: International League (AAA)
2009 Record: 82-59 (.592)
Best Hitter Last Year (min 100 AB): Adam Rosales (.349 BA)
Best Pitcher Last Year (min 50 IP): Justin Lehr (2.51 ERA)
Most Home Runs Last Year: Kevin Barker (22 HR)
Most Strikeouts Last Year: Sam LeCure/Matt Maloney (tied at 125 K)
Projections for 2010 and more fun info about the team after the jump...
Stadium:
The Bats play at Louisville Slugger Field, which was opened in 2000. The stadium holds 13,131 people.
Promotions for the Upcoming Season:
Since the stadium is only about 1.5 hours from the Cincinnati area, it's pretty realistic to take a short trip to Louisville to watch some prospects, and there are plenty of opportunities to go to a game for our Louisville RRs. What better time to go than on a day where an awesome minor league promotion is going on?
- Giveaways: 4/14 vs. Indianapolis (Magnetic Schedule), 4/15 vs. Indianapolis (Bats calendar), 4/16 vs. Columbus (Buddy Bat bobblehead), 5/28 vs. Gwinnett (Bats cap), 6/4 vs. Pawtucket (Bats team photo), 7/16 vs. Lehigh Valley (gym bag), 8/6 vs. Norfolk (Back to School folder), 8/20 vs. Syracuse (Bats baseball card set)
- $1 Hot Dogs nights: 4/20 vs. Toledo, 5/11 vs. Buffalo, 5/22 vs. Scranton, 6/22 vs. Toledo, 7/6 vs. Indianapolis, 7/27 vs. Charlotte, 8/17 vs. Syracuse, 8/24 vs. Indianapolis, 9/5 vs. Indianapolis, 9/6 vs. Indianapolis
Projected Starting Lineup for 2010:
C: Corky Miller
1B: Yonder Alonso
2B: Chris Valaika
SS: Zack Cozart
3B: Drew Sutton
LF: Todd Frazier
CF: Chris Heisey
RF: Josh Anderson
DH: Danny Dorn
Projected Starting Rotation:
LHP Aroldis Chapman
LHP Travis Wood
LHP Matt Maloney
RHP Sam LeCure
RHP Justin Lehr
Bullpen Pitchers:
RHP Jon Adkins (closer)
LHP Ben Jukich
RHP Jared Burton
RHP Enerio Del Rosario
RHP Joseph Krebs
LHP Bill Bray
RHP Carlos Fisher