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Cincinnati Reds’ Arizona Fall League Update

By Matt Wilkes|

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t played a baseball game in over three weeks, but some of their prospects are still hard at work in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Javelinas. Through eight games, the Javelinas — who consist of prospects from the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners in addition to the Reds — are 4-4, good for last place in the three-team West division.

Let’s take a look at how the Reds’ seven prospects have performed thus far.

Nick Travieso: Coming off his best year as a professional, Travieso is in the AFL to get some additional innings after missing nearly two months with an arm fracture in the middle of the regular season. Though he’s only made one start thus far, he organization’s No. 6 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) has continued to turn heads, as he allowed no hits in three innings, striking out four and walking one in the outing.

Phillip Ervin: Of the three Reds position players who were sent to Peoria, Ervin has found the most success in the early going (though that’s not really saying much). In 21 plate appearances, the former first-round pick is hitting .211/.318/.263 with one double, one run batted in and a team-high three stolen bases. Ervin certainly has the potential to be a five-tool outfielder and has excellent on-base skills, he just needs to hit more consistently.

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Zack Weiss: The third-year right-hander out of UCLA was nearly unhittable during the regular season with High-A Daytona and Double-A Pensacola, boasting a 1.98 ERA and 0.90 WHIP while striking out 90 in 63.2 innings. He’s shown that he’s human so far in the AFL, allowing two runs on three hits in three innings pitched, while fanning five and walking none.

Alex Blandino: The Reds’ No. 7 prospect had mostly played shortstop in his career to this point, but is getting some work in at second base in the AFL. He has yet to find much success at the plate, hitting just .111/.273/.222 with three walks in six games.

Stephen Johnson: After acquiring Johnson for Marlon Byrd in August, the Reds didn’t have much of a chance to see what Johnson could do during the regular season, hence why he’s in Arizona. The hard-throwing righty has seen action in two games, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out one and walking one in 3.2 innings.

Chad Wallach: With two other catchers on the Javelinas roster, Wallach’s playing time has been limited to this point. In 10 at-bats, he has one hit and three strikeouts.

Layne Somsen: It’s been a rough go for Somsen in his first three appearances out of the Peoria bullpen as he’s allowed four runs and six hits in 3.2 innings. The right-hander did show some positive flashes in his second relief outing, firing 1.2 perfect innings with three strikeouts.

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