Reds Acquire Redmond from Braves

Thus far in 2012 the Reds have been fortunate to get all games started by their opening day rotation. It seems a bit much to ask for 162 starts to come from only five pitchers. They added depth to the rotation Saturday by adding AAA pitcher Todd Redmond from the Braves in return for veteran shortstop Paul Janish. Redmond led Gwinnett in innings and had the lowest ERA in their rotation.

A trade was announced Saturday with the Cincinnati Reds receiving Todd Redmond from the Atlanta Braves in return for veteran shortstop Paul Janish. This was not the first deal between the two teams that exchanged infield depth for pitching. Right before opening day this season the Reds sent third baseman Juan Francisco to the Braves for reliever J.J. Hoover.

Both trades between were influenced by injury. The Braves sought Francisco when Chipper Jones opened the season on the DL. Janish fills their need for a shortstop while Andrelton Simmons and Jack Wilson are out of action. Meanwhile the Reds bullpen was short-handed with injuries to Ryan Madson, Nick Massett and Bill Bray. Hoover kept a flat three ERA over 17 appearances before Bray returned. They hope to again benefit from an abundance of right-handed pitching in the Atlanta system with Redmond who led Gwinnett in innings and had the lowest ERA in their rotation.

Janish has a solid glove and was the Reds regular shortstop last season until lack of productivity at the plate prompted a mid-season demotion to AAA. He finished the season hitting .214 with a .259 on-base percentage. He started this season hitting well for the Louisville and was batting over .300 before suffering a broken wrist when hit by a pitch. Since his return that average has dropped to .237. He was in a situation where he’d lose playing time to prospect Didi Gregorius who was promoted from AA. The vacated job at Pensacola was taken by Billy Hamilton who is the top rated prospect in the Cincinnati system.

Redmond was originally a late-round selection by the Royals in the 2003 draft when he came out of high school. Instead of signing he opted to play at St. Petersburg Community College for a year and was picked again the next year by the Pirates in the 39th round. In 2006 he went 13-6 with a 2.75 ERA for low-A Hickory. He made it to AA the next season before he was traded to Atlanta for pitcher Tyler Yates. In 2008 he went 13-5 with a mid-three ERA at AA Mississippi. He’s now in his fourth season with Gwinnett, coming off a sub-three ERA last year. Currently he’s 6-6 with a mid-three ERA/1.278 WHIP over 18 starts in 2012.

Redmond is now 27 years old, listed at 6’3”/215#, and bats/throws right-handed. His fastball has an average velocity and he mixes it with a curve and changeup. He is a finesse pitcher who relies on location and control. In four seasons at the AAA level his K/BB ratio is 486/166 (2.93). In an organization with less pitching depth he would be a candidate for a #5 spot in a big league rotation.

"Redmond will provide us with starting pitching depth in the minor leagues," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It's also a great opportunity for Paul to get back to the Major Leagues." Thus far in 2012 the Reds have been fortunate to have their opening day rotation start every game. Neither of their top two pitching prospects have experience at a level higher than AA. Converted college closer Tony Cingrani started the season at high-A Bakersfield and Daniel Corcino skipped high-A altogether. Veteran Jeff Francis was granted free agency and 39 year-old Bret Tomko went on the DL with tendonitis in early June. It would be a tall order to expect 162 starts to be provided by only five pitchers. Redmond got his first call-up to the majors earlier this season but saw no action. Now in his eighth minor league season he will be eager to answer the Reds’ call when the need arises.

Other News from the Farm:

Louisville won 10-8 over visiting Gwinnett from a walk-off grand slam by Dioner Navarro. It was the third granny in the past two games for the Bats. Their scoring was started from a three-run homer by Xavier Paul in the second inning. Paul, Navarro, and Henry Rodriguez had two hits each for the offense. Starter Chad Reineke was charged with six earned runs in 3+ innings to raise his ERA to 4.75. Donnie Joseph pitched the final two innings and picked up the win.

Pensacola allowed three in the first inning en route to a 6-1 home loss to Jacksonville. Billy Hamilton went 1-2 with two walks. Bryson Smith and Miguel Rojas added two hits each. Starter Kyle Lotzkar took the loss. He was lifted in the fifth inning and charged with five runs (four earned).

Billy Hamilton Theft Watch:

Hamilton walked in the third inning, stole second, and advanced to third on an errant throw in a pickoff attempt. He scored the only Wahoo run on a single by the next batter. He led off the fifth with a walk and was caught attempting to steal second. The only other time he reached base was on a double. He’s now has 109 steals out of 131 attempts in 84 games.

Bakersfield scored three in the eighth inning to come back for 5-3 home win over Rancho Cucamonga. They took the lead on a two-run homer by Donald Lutz. The Blaze was limited to four hits on the night. Travis Mattair was 1-2 with a double and two walks. Josh Smith got no decision from a quality start, allowing three runs (two earned) in 6+ innings while striking out six. Pat Doyle finished the game by retiring all four batters faced and picked up his ninth win.

Dayton took the lead with a three-run sixth inning and held on for a 7-6 win at Burlington. Yorman Rodriguez, Ryan Wright, Kyle Waldrop, Yovan Gonzalez, and Juan Silva had two hits each for the Dragons. Starter James Allen got no decision after allowing five runs before he was lifted in the fifth. Carlos Gonzalez threw 2+ scoreless innings for his first win. Carlos Contreras allowed a run in the ninth but still got the save.

Billings fell behind by seven before losing 7-4 against visiting Grand Junction. Seven of the Mustang batters had one hit. Starter Jonathan Moscot allowed only one baserunner while pitching two scoreless innings. Reliever Joel Bender allowed five runs and took the loss.

The AZL Reds blew a three-run lead in the ninth at the AZL Indians and lost 5-4 in eleven innings. Brent Peterson, Ty Washington, and Argenis Aldazoro had two hits each for the Reds. Robert Lewis-Walker was the eight pitcher used by the Reds in the game and took the loss.

The DSL Reds had an off-day and will resume their schedule on Monday.