Hamilton Headlines Reds Organizational All-Stars

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The speedster frontlines 14 players receiving honor.

This morning, the organizational All-Stars fro the Reds were announced. Robert Emrich of MiLB.com provided those who were on the squad. Here’s your look at the 14 players who were named.

Catcher – Jose Ortiz, Billings
Only 19 years old. Led the Mustangs in doubles (14) and tied for team lead in home runs (8 with Phillip Ervin).

First base – Seth Mejias-Brean, Dayton and Bakersfield
Converted from third to first for the Dragons, but moved back to third for three games with the Blaze. Led Dragons in RBI (79) and batting average (.305 among qualifying players).

Second base – Miguel Mendez, DSL Reds
Second season in DSL. Hit .333, posted OBP of .422 and stole 32 bases. Had more walks (28) than strikeouts (23).

Honorable Mention – Avain Rachal, Billings
At 19, drew more walks (41) than whiffs (39). Had OBP of .397 and scored 34 runs which led the Mustangs.

Shortstop – Ronald Bueno, AZL Reds and Billings
Played only 5 games in AZL before promotion to Billings. As Reds director of player development Jeff Graupe told Emrich, Bueno did “anything we asked him to do, he’s tackled any challenge and succeeded”.

Third Base – Juan Silverio, Bakersfield and Pensacola
Was released by White Sox and was productive as a member of the Blaze. Led team in RBI (80) and smacked 19 homers. Has raw power.

Outfield – Billy Hamilton, Louisville and Cincinnati
The tales of Hamilton’s speed were not exaggerated. His bat might be a tad better than his Louisville numbers indicate, and Graupe notes that his defense was “turning heads” by season’s end.

Outfield – Junior Arias, Dayton and Bakersfield
Arias can do alot. Led the Dragons in steals (40) and stole 20 more for Bakersfield. Has pop as he hit 10 HR in Dayton and added 5 more in Bakersfield.

Outfield – Mike Hessman, Louisville
Led the organization with 25 homers and ranked 8th in IL in OPS (.823).

Utility – Jesse Winker, Dayton
Did a feature on Winker earlier in the season. All he did in Dayton was post a triple slash of .281/.379/.463 with 16 HR (which led the Dragons) and 76 RBI.

(Editor’s note: Not sure why the article has Hessman listed as an outfielder and Winker as the utility. Methinks they should be switched.)

RHP – Robert Stephenson, Dayton, Bakersfield and Pensacola
I think two words sum up Stephenson’s 2013: fast track. Graupe says Stephenson “forced our hand to find more and more challenges for him”.

Honorable Mention – Greg Reynolds, Louisville and Cincinnati
To say Reynolds has a bounce back season would be an insult to the season he posted in Louisville (12-3, 2.42 ERA, 1.055 WHIP).

LHP: Ismael Guillon, Dayton
Win-loss record (7-8), ERA (4.75) and walks (95) aside, showed improvement over last four starts (6 BB, 20 SO in 24 IP).

Relief pitcher – Trevor Bell, Pensacola and Louisville
Joined the organization in late May. Posted 17 saves for Blue Wahoos, which led organization. Struck out 37, walked only 8 and allowed only 21 hits in 31.1 IP for Pensacola.