Bats Spring Training Weekly Update
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Reds Spring Training has been underway for nearly two full weeks in Goodyear, Arizona and several players we’ll see in Louisville this season continue to impress. Here’s your weekly (probable) Bats Spring Training update:
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-Last week, it was Henry Rodriguez leading the team in batting average. And, H-Rod is in fact still getting it done in Goodyear. The infielder is hitting .500 (8 for 16 in 8 games) with two doubles, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
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-Though Rodriguez continues to hit the ball very well, it is now Bats staple Kristopher Negron leading the squad in hitting. Negron, who missed much of the 2012 season in Louisville due to a knee injury, is hitting a staggering .625 (5 for 8 in 6 games) with a home run, a double, a triple, three RBIs, and five runs scored. Negron was 3 for 6 in four February games and is 2 for 2 through two appearances in March.
-Catcher Devin Mesoraco could see some time in Louisville this season and is certainly worthy of mention. Mesoraco is hitting .364 (4 for 11 in 7 games) and leads the team this spring in home runs (2) and RBIs (6). Mesoraco is 2 for 4 in two appearances in March with one of his home runs coming March 1 against Kansas City.
-Infielders Donald Lutz and Jason Donald have also continued to perform well. Lutz is hitting .353 (6 for 17 in 9 games) with a homer, a double, five RBIs (tied for 2nd on the team), and three runs scored. The slugger’s best game came February 27 against Arizona. In that game, Lutz was 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, and he collected all five of his RBIs this spring. As for Donald, he is hitting .333 (6 for 18 in 10 games) with two doubles, two RBIs, and a run scored. Donald also has an on-base percentage of .455 and has tied Joey Votto for the team lead by drawing four walks.
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-Several pitchers that will likely take the Slugger Field mound this summer are performing well as well. Righty Clay Hensley has a 1.50 ERA through three appearances. Hensley has tossed six innings allowing four runs (but only one of those earned) with no walks and four strikeouts.
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-Righty starter Armando Galarraga is also having a solid spring in his first season as part of the Reds organization. Through two outings (one of those a start), the pitcher has thrown five innings with a 1.80 ERA, giving up just one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out four.
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-Another right-hander, J.J. Hoover, may be in Louisville a bit this summer. Hoover was very good in relief stints with the Reds last season and has carried the momentum over nicely into Spring Training. Hoover has a 2.45 ERA through three games (3.2 IP). The Pittsburgh-native has allowed just one run on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
Check back again for more Bats updates from Spring Training. In the meantime, legendary Reds writer Hal McCoy, now with FoxSportsOhio.com, has written a couple nice pieces about Louisville Bats Corky Miller and Neftali Soto. Be sure to click the links and check those out as Bats Opening Day (April 4) is now less than one month away.
