First, if you've been living under a rock, the MLB draft is going on this week, and yesterday the Reds selected, with the 12th overall pick, Yasmani Grandal, catcher from the University of Miami. That makes 3 former Cubans picked up by the Reds in the last 2 years. "Reds" indeed. Since I wasn't around for the draft thread last night, here are my thoughts on Grandal:
Like
Switch hitter, refined plate approach (55 walks to only 37 Ks this season), should have pretty decent power, pretty good defensive catcher.
Don't Like
May have really high demands in a draft where the team wants to stick to slot, has some serious work to do to with his pop times behind the plate, and is a late bloomer (only hit .299 last season). Late bloomers always make me nervous.
Overall, we need to trust the Reds scouting department on this one. The picks of Bailey, Bruce, Stubbs, Mesoraco, Alonso, and Leake have earned them our trust......for now.
So how did our other Cuban friends fare last night? Answers after the jump!
- Louisville lost 7-2 as Aroldis Chapman got roughed up bad. He only lasted 2 innings, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits and 6 walks. Hopefully he learned something and can put this outing behind him. On the positive side, the Bats 'pen combined for 7 shutout innings. Chris Valaika was 3-4, Todd Frazier was 2-4, and Yonder Alonso hit his 5th homerun of the season. Guess he had to show Grandal who the real Cuban hitting stud is. Up Next: Homer Bailey is thrilled to make a rehab start at 7:05.
- Carolina lost 3-0. Scott Carroll was was the tough-luck loser, going 7 strong innings and only giving up 2 unearned runs. Jake Kahaulelio continued his hot hitting, going 2-4 with a double. Up Next: Tom Cochran starts at 7:15.
- Lynchburg lost 5-4. Jordan Hotchkiss had a solid start (5 IP, 2 ER) ruined when Justin Freeman gave up 3 runs in the 9th to blow the save and lose the game. Alex Buchholz was 2-3 with a walk and his 4th homer, and Miguel Rojas was 2-3 with a walk. Up Next: Curtis Partch starts at 7:05.
- Dayton was off. Up Next: JC Sulbaran takes the hill at 7:00.