Feb 22, 2013; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Hamilton (6) walks through the dugout during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)

The Louisville Bats hold a record of 31-35 after a victory over the Durham Bulls Tuesday night. While their record is not very impressive, there are some individuals on the team who are making noise and making a case to be selected for the 2013 Triple-A All Star Game. A couple of these guys are very well-known around the Reds organization, others not so much. Let’s take a look at who these stellar Bats are:

Billy Hamilton

We all know about Hamilton. After setting the minor league single season record for stolen bases last season, a lot was expected of Hamilton this year. With a position change (from shortstop to center field), some wondered if Hamilton’s numbers would dip while he adjusted. While is average (.251) isn’t all that impressive, the fact remains; Hamilton is fast and can change games with his speed.

In Tuesday’s game, with the bases loaded and one out, Hamilton hit what would’ve been a rally-killing double play ball. Instead, Hamilton beat out the throw, extending the inning. Two batters later (and after Hamilton stole second), Neftali Soto mashed a grand slam into the left field seats, giving the Bats a two-run lead.

Later in the game, Hamilton singled, stole second and third, then scored on a sac fly. The three stolen bases pushed Hamilton’s International League-leading total to 40.

The ability for one player to have such an impact on the game is huge. If not for his hitting, Billy Hamilton definitely needs some consideration for All Star votes based solely on his speed, talent level, and potential to be a star.

Tony Cingrani

We all know about Cingrani as well. The highly touted southpaw has been every bit of extraordinary this season in split time with the Bats and the Reds. After defeating the Cubs Tuesday night, Cingrani boosted his record to a perfect 6-0 (3-0 with each the Bats and Reds) in 2013. In six game with the Bats he is 3-0 with a ridiculous 1.15 ERA in 31.1 IP. He has given up just four earned runs, struck out 49 and walked just 11.

If not the Reds having injury problems and being forced to recall Cingrani to pitch, this guy would undoubtedly be starting for the IL in the All Star Game. With the fact that he’s only pitched six games, there is a small chance he’ll be left out (emphasis on the word SMALL).

Greg Reynolds

[RELATED: Should the Reds Give Reynolds an Opportunity?]

An unknown guy off to a historic start in 2013. That just about sums up Bats right hander Greg Reynolds.

Reynolds, a 2006 draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, is 7-0 in 13 games (12 starts) this season with a 2.51 ERA. In 86 innings or work, Reynolds has surrendered just 82 hits and 15 walks while ringing up 51. He has given up two or fewer runs in nine of his last ten starts. Reynolds’ 86 IP are the most in the league and his 1.13 WHIP is fourth.

The 6’7” Reynolds is the first Louisville starter to start the season 7-0 since 1984 when Ralph Citarella started 8-0. Without a doubt, Reynolds should be on the IL All Star Team and, frankly, should be the team’s starter.

Felix Perez

Talk about a guy who carried over success from last year into this year. Perez finished last season hitting safely in 51 of his last 70 games, hitting .325 over that time with 22 multi-hit games. Perez has hit safely in 43 of 64 games to start this season and is hitting .287 with 20 multi-hit games.

Let’s do some math, shall we. In his last 134 games, Felix Perez has hit safely in 94 of them, is hitting .311, and has 42 multi-hit games in that time. Perez’s 15 doubles ranks second on the team while he leads the team in RBIs with 41. To go along with a very good bat, Perez is multi-faceted defensively and plenty capable of playing all three outfield positions.

If Perez keeps up his torrid hitting, there is only one possibility for how his story will end…in the big leagues.

Mike Hessman

This case won’t be very strong. Hessman, who used to wreak havoc on the Bats when he played for the Toledo Mud Hens, is an absolute masher. I once watched this man hit two home runs that LANDED in the street outside of Louisville Slugger Field in the same game. For those of you who don’t know, it’s at least 470 feet from home plate to Witherspoon Street just outside of the stadium.

Hessman has 15 dingers this season for the Bats to go along with 27 RBIs. This man probably won’t be selected for the All Star Game, but he should get written in for the Home Run Derby. Wonder how far he could hit a ball on a hot July night in Reno, NV?

To cast your ballot for the Triple-A All-Star teams (International League and Pacific Coast League), head here.

This post was compiled and written for Blog Red Machine by former BRM Staff Writer Kevin Geary.

So, without further ado, here’s the Reds Three Up for the Week of January 20^th, 2013

City of Cincinnati

The biggest piece of news from the week was the announcement that Great American Ballpark will host the 2015 MLB All-Star festivities. This will presumably include the Futures game, the Home Run Derby, and, of course, the All-Star game. This will of course mean great things for the city, as you can rest assured that the local economics will see a boost during the influx of visitors. You can bet that I’ll be attempting (and most probably failing) to obtain a ticket to the Home Run Derby. Imagine how many home runs the next guy on the list could hit out in that thing…

Jay Bruce

To me, Jay Bruce represents someone who has yet to have a breakout year. Despite being a 35-homer guy so far in his career, I still think our friendly neighborhood Right Fielder is set to have a breakout season.

Taking a bit of a break from the baseball news world for a bit, I sat down at my parents house last night and flipped on the television. And, in a stroke of luck, Jay Bruce was the first face I saw. As Steve pointed out yesterday, the left handed slugger made his way onto the MLB Network’s “Top Ten Right Fielders Right Now” program. He was listed in “The Shredder’s” list as the number ten Right Fielder in the big leagues right now.

Oct 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce (32) hits a single in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in game three of the 2012 NLDS at Great American Ball Park. (Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports)

I’d agree with that. Based on his past statistics, he definitely deserves a top spot. However, as I said earlier, I truly believe he’s not had a breakout season just yet. And, likely stealing some of my brain waves, baseball statistical genius Bill James listed Bruce as his number 4 Right Fielder, behind only Jose Bautista, Ben Zobrist, and Jason Heyward.

Now, that’s more like it! A lot of teams choose to focus their efforts on Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips when heading into a series with our Reds. However, they’d be fools to not take note that a true soon-to-be super star is roaming Right Field.

Billy Hamilton

Ah, yes. It seems that Billy Hamilton’s stock will continue to rise until proven otherwise. This week Walt Jocketty announced that the Reds system’s number one prospect will start the season in triple-A Louisville. Hamilton fans hopeful to see him in with the big league club in 2013 are likely jumping for joy right about now. But, not so fast. We’ve seen time and time again that prospects such as Hamilton are only hurt by being rushed through the system too quickly. In fact, if someone in the Reds outfield were to unfortunately go down for an extended period of time, I don’t even think Hamilton will be the first to get the nod to come up. At least, if I were the GM, I wouldn’t be even thinking about calling up the speedster until 2014. But, that’s just my opinion. Only one thing is for certain – the kid can fly. How well that speed will translate into the big leagues is still up in the air. Remember, you’ve got to get to first in order to steal second (and third, in Hamilton’s case).

Check back tomorrow to see what Reds I believe belong on the “Three Down” list.

Let’s look at how each minor-league team was affected by yesterday’s announcement:

Louisville Bats, AAA

Jim Riggleman’s move to Louisville sparked a series of coaching changes across the board, including Pensacola and Dayton. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

Manager: Jim Riggleman (replaces David Bell)
Hitting Coach: TBA (Ryan Jackson, 2012)
Pitching Coach: TBA (Ted Power, 2006-12)

The Bats’ full-piece article notes that the Reds will fill these positions in the weeks leading up to Opening Day 2013, but as of yet have not named the coaches. Interestingly, this will be Riggleman’s third tour in Louisville following a short-lived coaching career with the former Redbirds in 1982 and as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ player development staff in 1988.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos, AA

Manager: Delino DeShields (replaces Jim Riggleman)
Hitting Coach: Tony Jaramillo
Pitching Coach: Tom Brown

DeShields is a prime example of the Reds’ promotion phenomena, serving as the Billings Mustangs’ skipper in 2010 before joining the Dayton staff in 2011. He posted a 143-135 mark over two years, good for second all-time in franchise history. In addition to the announcement of DeShields as manager, Cincinnati confirmed that both assistant coaches would remain on the squad in 2013, along with athletic trainer Charles Leddon.

Bakersfield Blaze, A

Manager: Ken Griffey, Sr.
Hitting Coach: Eli Marrero
Pitching Coach: Rigo Beltran

The Blaze staff remains unchanged as Griffey is slated to return for his third season. 2013 will be the second and third years for Marrero and Beltran in Bakersfield, respectively.

Dayton Dragons, A

Manager: Jose Nieves (replaces Delino DeShields)
Hitting Coach: TBA (Alex Pelaez, 2011-12)
Pitching Coach: Tony Fossas (replaces Tom Browning)

Nieves will oversee the Dragons after serving three years in developmental leagues. A former major leaguer, he was part of the then-Anaheim Angels 2002 World Series championship team. Coincidentally, Nieves played for the Chicago Cubs while both he and Riggleman were on the squad in 1998 and 1999. Fossas rejoins the Dayton staff after a one-year stint in Billings; given the nature of his promotion, he will be able to continue working with pitchers he first instructed last season.

Meanwhile, Pelaez and Browning will return to the Reds organization in 2013 with different affiliates.

Billings Mustangs, Rookie

Manager: Pat Kelly
Hitting Coach: Ray Martinez
Pitching Coach: TBA (Tony Fossas, 2012)

The short-season team loses Fossas to Dayton but is yet to announce his departure, much less his replacement. Kelly will lead the Mustangs for his third straight year, while Martinez returns for a second season in Billings.

All things considered, the wording of Dayton’s official statement suggests that Pelaez and Browning are likely positioned for Triple-A promotions. Neither Billings nor Louisville will need to make an immediate decision, but be sure to check BRM as Opening Day approaches for the latest minor-league information.