Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings February 1, 2017

Transcription

1 Cincinnati Reds Media Clips February 1 st, 2017

2 Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings February 1, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1968-Ground-breaking ceremonies are held on the future site of Riverfront Stadium MLB.COM Rejuvenated Arroyo excited for Reds reunion Minor League deal expected to be announced soon By Mark Sheldon / January 31st, COMMENTS CINCINNATI -- Bronson Arroyo hasn't pitched for the Reds since 2013, but he still has the power to draw a crowd. When Arroyo walked into the Holy Grail Restaurant across the street from Great American Ball Park on Tuesday night, he was greeted warmly and dozens of autograph seekers came out of the woodwork quickly. In town to see a concert, Arroyo agreed a few weeks ago to appear on the Reds Hot Stove radio program. But as it so happens, he's also close to a deal that would bring him back to the team he pitched for from on a Minor League contract. Arroyo thought his contract could be finalized either by the end of this week or early next week. "We're just getting to the point where we're trying to button up some things," Arroyo said before going on the radio. "They're buttoning up things on their end and getting our ducks in a row as far as the organization and everything else." Reds general manager Dick Williams said last week that the club has seen Arroyo throw and was doing its due diligence. The deal would come with an invite to Spring Training as a non-roster player and Arroyo would compete for a rotation spot. He will turn 40 years old on Feb. 24 and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2014 with Arizona. Although he never missed a start for Cincinnati, Arroyo has missed the last two seasons with injuries, including Tommy John surgery and a shoulder repair in '14 after he made 14 starts. With Washington last year, he tore the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. However, Arroyo feels the injuries are behind him. "I'm just straight-up ready to go," Arroyo said. Arroyo was with a 4.05 ERA in 265 starts over his eight seasons. Including 2005 with Boston, he pitched 200 or more innings in eight of the next nine seasons. Just over a year ago, the Reds and Arroyo came close to a deal before he ultimately signed a Minor League contract with the Nationals. However, he was limited to three spring starts and two in the Gulf Coast League before being shut down in early July. "My arm just wouldn't hold up to the torque. It wasn't ready," Arroyo said. A stem cell injection to his elbow in August helped him get healthy again. "I couldn't sit here and say I will be over the hump now," he said. "That's what Spring Training is going to be for -- to see how much my arm will take." If Arroyo does rejoin the Reds, he will go to camp with a lot of younger pitchers to compete against for the fifth spot in the rotation. The club will take a long look at prospects Cody Reed, Robert Stephenson, Amir Garrett and Sal Romano, among others. Lauded for his leadership qualities, Arroyo would most assuredly set a good example for the younger players. "I think if I'm healthy, I can make the club, especially this club. I went eight years and gave them 105 wins," Arroyo said. "I don't think I'm in a position for people to tell me that I don't have good enough stuff to get people out in the Major Leagues. I think the hitters will let me know that. "Also, having [manager] Bryan Price and him knowing what I can do, maybe, with limited stuff. If I go out there and throw 85 mph, he's not going to be panicked as some managers might be."

3 Arroyo looked forward to competing with the team where he spent most of his career. "To be honest with you, anything in the game from here on out is icing on the cake," Arroyo said. "There's absolutely no stress. I just want to be around the game, and people I enjoy. That's why I've said this entire offseason that I'm either going to play here or not playing anywhere else. "I want to be in a locker room where I know people from top to bottom and comfortable. If it doesn't work, at least I can leave in a place where I can say I had some impact on the organization even though my arm wasn't working. I can help some of the young guys out and feel that I've done my part." Fay: Arroyo poised to make Reds comeback John Fay 7:14 PM, Jan 31, 2017 WCPO - Channel 9 CINCINNATI -- Bronson Arroyo is not officially a Red again, but it sounds very much like it will happen. Arroyo has been in contact with president of baseball operations Dick Williams and manager Bryan Price all offseason. "I ve been talking with with Dick and Bryan," he said. "They re trying to work out the details. They ve got to get some stuff done. I m hoping in the next few days or the next week that we can get something done." Judging by the autograph line at the Holy Grail for Arroyo s appearance on the Hot Stove League, the move will go over well in Reds-land. Arroyo has only talked to the Reds. If he s back, it will likely be under a minor league contract with a chance to make the team out of spring training. Arroyo, who turns 40 on Feb. 24, has not pitched in the big leagues since His season ended that year when an arm ligament tore off the bone. He had Tommy John surgery and then shoulder surgery, then tried to come back with the Washington Nationals last year without success. "I finally throwing pain-free for the first time honestly since I had surgery," he said. "It took stem cells getting pulled out of my pelvis in August by Dr. (Jim) Andrews and shot in my elbow. The Nationals really afforded me the opportunity to stay in Rookie League all year and try to work out the kinks and figure out how much stress my arm could take. "It took four months, but finally I feel like I can push myself out the mound to 100 percent and I might survive." Arroyo has always said he ll pitch as long as he can. That s why he s spent all this time trying to come back. "It s like fighting death," he said. "There s nothing to do but to say: Here we go, let s see what we can do.'" Arroyo s best days were with the Reds. He went with a 4.05 ERA over eight years. He threw 200 innings seven of those eight years (he threw 199 the other year). It would be fitting for Arroyo to end his career here, but he doesn t see this as a one-year shot. "If I feel like if I can survive this season, I can survive a few more for sure," he said. "The rest of my body feels good. It's going to be a matter if my elbow and shoulder can can take torque. If I can throw pain-free at even 84 to 86 miles an hour, I feel like I can be valuable as a starting pitcher in the league. But I don t know if it s going to do that. "Hopefully, that s what this spring training is going to do. It s going let me know if this is the end of line or maybe I just needed a little longer to heal up because of the amount of innings I threw in my career and my age and also I had two surgeries. It s kind of unprecedented for a guy to have the elbow and the shoulder done at age 37 after 3,000 professional innings." Arroyo admits he thought about giving it up. "It s been an ebb and flow," he said. They tell you it s going to be 18 months for the elbow and nobody knows how long it will will be with the shoulder or if you ll ever come back. There was times I d feel pretty good when I d throw five innings in the Rookie League. I d say, I m coming around the corner.' Then the next time, I d throw five innings and then I couldn t touch a ball for 10 days. My arm would blow up on me.

4 "It s been this process: It s going to work. Then it s not going to work. My friends would say, You re always so optimistic. Then we hear you say it s not going to work anymore.' "I was always optimistic because I knew I could go out there with what I had and survive. The last two years I couldn t do that." But Arroyo hasn t lost that optimism since getting to the pain-free stage. "If my arm doesn t hurt, I feel like I can throw 200 innings like I always have," he said. Arroyo went 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 2014 with Arizona, despite pitching with a tore ligament in his last six starts. "In my mind, if I m pain-free, I don t really care how the ball comes out of my hand, I can find a way with my mind to beat big league hitters," he said. If this doesn t work out, what about coaching? Arroyo laughed. "No, definitely not," he said. "I would consider floating around the planet until I drop dead with my friends." Classic Arroyo. That s why they lined up at the Holy Grail to see him and why they d love to see the Reds give him a shot. DAYTON DAILY NEWS Reds CEO Bob Castellini: I hope Billy Hamilton is with us forever Marcus Hartman Staff Writer 3:48 p.m Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 Sports An offseason that began with reports the Cincinnati Reds were willing to at least discuss trading Billy Hamilton unofficially concluded with his biggest boss singing his praises. Team CEO Bob Castellini told a group of fans on the Reds caravan last weekend he sees the 26-year-old center fielder as a potential Hall of Famer. He s got a great attitude. Upbeat. He s a talent, Castellini said. He s got to get the bunt down a little bit better and maybe improve on his hitting, but you can t ask for a better teammate than Billy Hamilton. He s got talent, and when he gets up there and he s on base and nobody s out, that pitcher he s worried. And that s what you want. MINORLEAGUEBALL.COM Cincinnati Reds Top 20 prospects for 2017 by John Sickels@MinorLeagueBall Jan 31, 2017, 5:49pm EST The list and grades are a blending of present performance and long-term potential. Comments are welcome, but in the end all analysis and responsibility is mine. All of these grades are subject to change as the winter progresses. The final grades will be finished sometime in February when all 30 teams are complete. QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS Grade A prospects are the elite. In theory, they have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Theoretically, most Grade A prospects develop into stars or at least major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don t intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases. Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role. Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don t make it at all. Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.

5 1) Nick Senzel, 3B, Grade B+/A-: Age 21, first round pick in 2016 from University of Tennessee; hit.305/.398/.514 with seven homers, 24 doubles, 18 steals, 38 walks, 54 strikeouts in 243 at-bats between Pioneer and Midwest Leagues; solid tools combined with refined approach make him one of the safer prospects around but with very respectable upside to go with the safety; will hit for average with high OBP and at least moderate power; defense at third has been quite good so far despite non-elite athleticism, reflecting his baseball instincts; this shows up on the bases too, where he s dangerous despite average pure speed; ETA ) Amir Garrett, LHP, Grade B+: Age 24, 22nd round pick in 2011 though would have gone much higher in draft if not for basketball; posted 2.55 ERA with 132/59 K/BB in 145 innings between Double-A and Triple-A with just 99 hits allowed; fastball as high as 95-96, slider has developed nicely but change-up and overall command remain inconsistent, though he s made enough progress to still project as a starter; birthday is deceptive in his case as he wasn t a full-time pitcher until 2014; I like him a lot, though he may have some rough patches when he first reaches the majors. ETA ) Jesse Winker, OF, Grade B+: Age 23, supplemental pick in 2012, hit.303/.397/.384 with 22 doubles, three homers, 59 walks, 59 strikeouts in 380 at-bats in Triple-A; hits.300 in his sleep and controls strike zone extremely well; power is to the alleys for doubles rather than over the fences for homers; question remains HR production; he s physical enough to hit a lot more homers than he does but the swing is tailored for line drives; that may or may not change in the future and wrist/hand injuries haven t helped; arm and range limit him to left field though he s competent there; I want to give the power one more year to manifest and the grade reflects that optimism. ETA ) Robert Stephenson, RHP, Grade B: Age 23, first round pick in 2011, posted 4.41 ERA with 120/71 K/BB in 137 innings in Triple-A with 115 hits; posted 6.08 ERA with 31/19 K/BB in 37 major league innings over eight starts; still rookie-eligible for 17; fastball has sagged a tick since high school but is still good-enough in the range; continues to struggle with consistency and command of curveball, change-up; shows three plus pitches on the right day and looks like a future number two starter; but on the wrong day his secondaries lag and he looks more like middle reliever; I have been optimistic in the past but that is getting harder to maintain. ETA ) Shed Long, 2B, Grade B-/B: Age 21, 12th round pick in 2013 from high school in Alabama; hit.293/.371/.471 with 15 homers, 21 steals, 54 walks, 120 strikeouts in 478 at-bats between Low-A and High-A; left-handed hitter, originally a catcher, but fit better at second base given 5-8, 180 body and 70-grade speed; defense decent enough to play if he hits and it looks like he ll hit, at least for power; strong enough to hit homers at maturity if he makes enough contact; unclear how OBP will develop going forward but there s impressive offensive ceiling here that should not be under-estimated. ETA ) Cody Reed, LHP, Grade B-: Age 23, posted 3.08 ERA with 65/20 K/BB in 73 innings in Triple-A, but hit hard in majors with 7.36 ERA, 43/19 K/BB and 67 hits allowed in 48 innings over 10 starts, coming in just under 50 inning rookie limit; at his best features fastball up to 96 with a plus slider, but neither pitch nor his command were as good as anticipated in the majors and his change-up wasn t enough to compensate when his harder pitches weren t working; too soon to give up given his track record and lefties with live arms get lots of chances; ETA ) Taylor Trammell, OF, Grade B-: Age 19, compensation round pick in th overall from high school in Georgia; hit.303/.374/.421 with 24 steals, 23 walks, 57 strikeouts in 228 at-bats in Pioneer League; 70-grade speed and bat was more polished than anticipated pre-draft; could develop considerable power to go with the steals and decent feel for the strike zone will help all aspects of his hitting; arm may limit him to left field as he matures; makeup is a big plus; could develop any number of ways but I like the upside. ETA ) Vladimir Gutierrez, RHP, Grade B-: Age 21, Cuban right-hander signed for $4,750,000; no track record yet so regard this as a placeholder grade and ranking for now; scouting reports can vary wildly on this one; when he s right he hits and shows a nasty breaking ball, but both command and velocity are inconsistent; remains to be seen if he s a starter or reliever; watch for spring reports. ETA 2019?? 9) Alfredo Rodriguez, SS, Grade B-: Age 22, Cuban infielder signed for $7,000,000; hit.234/.333/.299 with nine steals in 77 at-bats in Dominican Summer League, meaning little given circumstances; scouting reports point to impressive defensive ability and plenty of speed but reports on the rest of his game vary depending on source and time; some people think he ll be a very good hitter for average with gap power, others disagree and question both workable game power and approach/refinement; as with Gutierrez, this is a placeholder rating for now. ETA 2019? 10) Aristides Aquino, OF, Grade B-: Age 22, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2011; hit.273/.327/.519 with 23 homers, 12 triples, 11 steals, 34 walks, 104 strikeouts in 484 at-bats in High-A; 60-power, 60-speed, 60-arm, highly impressive if not explosive physical tools but impatient approach complicates offensive projection; could be a 20 homers, 20 steals guy but batting average and OBP likely to be volatile and will have to prove he can master high-level pitching. ETA 2019.

6 11) Chris Okey, C, Grade B-/C+: Age 22, second round pick in 2016 out of Clemson; hit.243/.323/.432 with six homers, 14 walks, 49 strikeouts in 148 at-bats in Low-A; lacks cannon arm but threw out 34% of runners in debut and is otherwise a solid defensive catcher with excellent leadership skills; decent-but-not-excellent power, could stand to sharpen his plate discipline; projects as a.250ish hitter but with enough home runs and defense to hold a job for a long time. ETA ) Luis Castillo, RHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 24, acquired from Marlins in January 2016 Dan Straily deal; posted 2.26 ERA with 103/25 K/BB in 132 innings between High-A and Double-A, just 107 hits; attractive due to MPH fastball; slider and changeup are inconsistent, resulting in a low strikeout rate for a pitcher who throws this hard; unclear if he starts or relieves long-term, that will depend on what happens with the change-up; ETA ) T.J. Friedl, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 21, signed as undrafted free agent from University of Nevada-Reno; hit.347/.423/.545 with three homers, 13 walks, 25 strikeouts in 121 at-bats in Pioneer League; unusual case: he was a draft-eligible sophomore but was passed over by everyone on draft day, had a great summer with Team USA and signed with the Reds for $735,000; 70-grade speed and a pure hitter with line drive bat, lacks home run power; glove plays well in center field; want to see how pop and plate discipline hold at higher levels but could be a real coup. ETA ) Tyler Stephenson, C, Grade B-/C+: Age 20, first round pick in 2015 from high school in Georgia, hit.216/.278/.324 with 12 walks, 45 strikeouts in 139 at-bats in Low-A; season hampered by series of injuries including wrist problem and a concussion; at his best features strong throwing arm and plus power, standard catcher profile, but he is raw on both offense and defense and injuries have slowed down an already long-term timetable; draft status and tools buy him slack for now. ETA ) Sal Romano, RHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 23, 23rd round pick in 2011 though would have gone 20 rounds higher if not for college commitment; 3.52 ERA with 144/34 K/BB in 156 innings in Double-A; throws hard with MPH fastball but usually hits his locations well; mixes in a plus slider; change-up inconstant and may push him to bullpen without improvement though the fact that he throws strikes helps his chances; burly 6-5, 270 build leads to conditioning questions but he s been very durable so far and may well be a workhorse. ETA ) Tyler Mahle, RHP, Grade C+: Age 22, seventh round pick in 2013, posted 2.50 ERA with 76/17 K/BB in 79 innings in High-A, then 4.92 ERA with 65/20 K/BB in 71 innings in Double-A; fastball anywhere from 87 to 94 depending on the day; throws strikes, keeps hitters off-balance with curve, slider, change-up; not overpowering but knows how to pitch; number four or five starter profile but has shown ability to adapt. ETA ) Keury Mella, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, originally signed by Giants and acquired in Mike Leake trade; posted 3.76 ERA with 101/57 K/BB in 139 innings between High-A and one Triple-A spot start; when he s right, works at with a plus curveball and decent change; fastball can sag into low-90s, change-up flatten and curve get slurvy on a bad day; number three starter physical upside but also a good chance he winds up as an 11th man or Triple-A starter. ETA ) Austin Brice, RHP, Grade C+: Age 24, originally drafted in ninth round by Marlins in 2010, traded to Reds in Straily deal; posted 2.74 ERA with 89/30 K/BB in 102 innings between Double-A and Triple-A with just 82 hits; posted 7.07 ERA in 14 major league innings but with promising 14/5 K/BB; should fit well into bullpen with MPH fastball, hard slider, assuming control holds up. ETA ) Nick Travieso, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, 3.84 ERA with 91/53 K/BB in 117 innings in Double-A, 109 hits; has developed major league quality slider and change-up to go with low-90s fastball; I d like to see more strikeouts and he may ultimately fit best in bullpen rather than as fifth starter; tends to get lost in the shuffle amidst live arms in this system but former first round pick just keeps plugging along. ETA late ) Tony Santillan, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, second round pick in 2015 from high school in Texas; posted 5.19 ERA with 84/40 K/BB in 69 innings between Pioneer and Midwest Leagues; MPH fastball mixed with excellent curveball leads to high strikeout rate; poor command traced to erratic mechanics holds him back right now but he s quite young and the strikeouts aren t lying about his stuff. ETA OTHER GRADE C+: Barrett Astin, RHP; Calten Daal, SS; Phil Ervin, OF; Jimmy Herget, RHP; Ian Kahaloa, RHP; Jackson Stephens, RHP; Blake Trahan, SS; Zack Weiss, RHP; Max Wotell, LHP; OTHERS: Tejay Antone, RHP; Michael Beltre, OF; Alex Blandino, INF; Alejandro Chacin, RHP; Rookie Davis, RHP; Brandon Dixon, 2B; Sebastian Elizalde, OF; Gabriel Guerrero, OF Ismael Guillon, LHP; Nick Hanson, RHP; Ryan Hendrix, RHP; Ariel Hernandez, RHP; Eric Jagielo; Gavin LaValley, 1B; Tyler Mondile, RHP; Dauri Moreta, RHP; Jon Moscot, RHP C Scott Moss, LHP; Wandy Peralta, LHP; Tony Renda, 2B; Wennington Romero, LHP; Taylor Sparks, 3B; Stuart Turner, C; Josh VanMeter, 2B; Isaiah White, OF

7 TRANSACTIONS 01/31/17 Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Vance Worley to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Atlanta Braves sent LF Adam Walker outright to Gwinnett Braves. Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Matt Albers to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Joe Nathan to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Milwaukee Brewers claimed SS Ehire Adrianza off waivers from San Francisco Giants. Boston Red Sox invited non-roster RHP Austin Maddox to spring training. Boston Red Sox invited non-roster RHP Jamie Callahan to spring training. Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Nick Hagadone to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster SS Tyler Wade to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster SS Gleyber Torres to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster LHP Justus Sheffield to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster C Jorge Saez to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster LHP Evan Rutckyj to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP Nick Rumbelow to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster LHP Jordan Montgomery to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP Brady Lail to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster SS Pete Kozma to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP James Kaprielian to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster CF Clint Frazier to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster OF Dustin Fowler to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP J.P. Feyereisen to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster C Francisco Diaz to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster LHP Daniel Camarena to spring training. New York Yankees invited non-roster RHP Chance Adams to spring training.