Reds complete Broxton trade: How it could impact the Bats
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Barrett Astin (left) and Kevin Shackelford (right) were announced as the players-to-be-named that will join the Reds in the Jonathan Broxton trade.[/caption]
The Cincinnati Reds announced Wednesday evening that they have acquired more pitching from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for reliever Jonathan Broxton. The trade was first announced on August 31, but only that the Reds would receive a player to be named later.
As it turns out, they received two players, both of whom are pitchers. Right-handers Kevin Shackelford and Barrett Astin are headed to Cincinnati, though it isn’t likely they’ll be on a Reds active roster in the immediate future.
Shackelford, a 25-year-old Marshall University product, started 2014 strong with Class-A Brevard County, posting a 0.87 ERA in 12 games with the Manatees before reaching Double-A Huntsville. He then appeared in relief in 40 games with the Stars, compiling a 2–4 record and a 4.86 ERA with a 25–17 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Shackelford was originally a 21st-round draft pick of the Brewers in 2010.
The younger of the two new Reds, Astin comes to the organization having reached the Class-A level in his short career to date. Only 22 years old, Astin went 8–7 with a 4.96 ERA in 27 appearances (18 starts) with Class-A Wisconsin in 2014. He also converted four of his five save opportunities with the Timber Rattlers in just his second year of professional baseball. Astin first came to the Brewers in the third round of the 2013 draft from the University of Arkansas.
Both Shackelford and Astin will come to the Reds familiar with the organization, at least from afar, as the duo saw Reds affiliates with their former clubs this past season. Milwaukee’s Class-A (Wisconsin) and Double-A (Huntsville) affiliates play in the Midwest and Southern Leagues, respectively. The Reds’ Dayton Dragons (Class-A) and Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A) also call those leagues home.
Judging from the development of the newest Reds so far, it certainly appears that Shackelford would likely be the first of the two to arrive in Louisville. While it seems like the minor league calendar is just coming to a close, there are still wheels churning. After all, Spring Training for pitchers and catchers is only about five months away.
