It was very exciting to see Zack Cozart make his debut last night. It wasn't just that he played well (that was a slick defensive play to save a run in the 3rd), it is also the hope and promise of something new. Perhaps he will turn into Barry Larkin. Perhaps he will completely tank and be sent back to AAA, never to see the majors again. More likely, he will settle in as a solid but not spectacular major league shortstop. The point is, anything can happen, and after following these guys for years as they develop, it is very fun to be on the brink of those possibilities. It is certainly a truism that prospects can break your heart, but the only reason they have that power is because they might also fulfill all of the hopes and blind optimism that is the trademark of passionate fans. Godfather III wouldn't have been so painful if the first two weren't so great, after all. It is going to be a lot of fun finding out whether Cozart is Al Pacino or Sofia Coppola, and isn't that the point of baseball?
- Louisville proved that Cozart is bad luck, winning in his absence, 5-2. Chris Valaika was 2-4, Todd Frazier was 2-4 with a double, and Yonder Alonso hit his 11th homer. Daryl Thompson was excellent throwing 7 shutout innings and striking out 6. I wish I believed he could do that for the Reds. Brad Boxberger came in to put out a fire in the 9th and earned his first AAA save. Assuming he remains a reliever, you can probably pencil him in to the Reds bullpen for next year. Up Next: Scott Carroll takes the hill at 7:00.
- Carolina got spanked, 13-2. Everyone was terrible in this game, except for David Cook, who went 3-4 with a double. Up Next: Someone gets the ever popular 6:43 start.
- Bakersfield lost 6-3. Chris Richburg had 3 hits, including a double, and DiDi Gregorius hit his first homer of the season. Up Next: Mark Serrano starts at 10:00 p.m.
- Dayton lost 8-2. Daniel Corcino had his worst start of the year, giving up 6 ER in just 3 innings. David Vidal and Dominic D'Anna each had 3 hits. 2 of Vidal's were doubles. Billy Hamilton stole his 61st base of the year. Up Next: Stalin Gerson will start at 7:00.
- Billings lost 8-3. Drew Poulk was 3-5 with 2 doubles. Up Next: Someone will start at 9:05.
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AZL Reds were off. Up Next: Someone will start at 10:00.