Cincinnati Reds: Jonathan India signs, Luis Castillo struggling and more

Good morning and welcome to a Monday edition of Blog Red Machine’s news and notes. The Cincinnati Reds have signed Jonathan India, Luis Castillo gets the start against the White Sox despite his recent struggles and more.

The Cincinnati Reds split the series with the Milwaukee Brewers after crushing yet another grand slam, this time by Jose Peraza. The Brewers were just thankful it wasn’t another pitcher. Let’s take a look at some news and notes regarding the Redlegs.

Jonathan India signs. The Cincinnati Reds signed their 2018 first-round pick Jonathan India to deal on Sunday. The Reds had been waiting until after India’s college team, the Florida Gators. were no longer part of the College World Series.

The third baseman hit .350 last year at Florida with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs. Once the contract is finalized, expect India to join up with one of the Reds’ minor league affiliates.

Many experts expect India to move through the Reds’ minor system quickly. Being that the 21-year old was drafted as a junior out of Florida, his path to the Majors is a bit more clear than a raw, underdeveloped high school prospect.

Where India will play when he makes it to the Major League level is anyone’s guess. The Reds drafted Nick Senzel, a former third baseman himself, and he’s now their top prospect as a second baseman.

India shows power and promise at the plate. Regardless of where he ends up playing defensively, the Reds can always use another bat and will find room for him to play somewhere if his offensive numbers are good.

Luis Castillo gets the start but has struggled lately. Luis Castillo will get the start, his 18th of the season, against the White Sox on Monday night when the Reds kick off a 3-game interleague series with the team from the South-side of Chicago.

Castillo’s numbers of late have not been great. The young right-hander has lost four of his previous six starts and was unimpressive in his only win as well.

During his last 6 games, Castillo has walked 11 batters and allowed 7 home runs. His ERA during that stretch is 6.82. Ouch!

Castillo’s had a problem all season with the long ball. He’s allowed 18 so far this season, which leads the National League. We’ll see if Castillo can keep the ball in the ballpark tonight against the White Sox.

Reds are grand. Jose Peraza joined the party yesterday, as the shortstop smacked yet another grand slam out of the park. Peraza, in the bottom of the sixth inning, got just enough of the 1-2 pitch to send it over the wall in left field.

Next: Could Lorenzen participate in the HR Derby?

Peraza’s grand slam was the Reds’ ninth of the season. The Major League record belongs to both the 2000 Oakland A’s and the 2006 Cleveland Indians with 14. Could this Reds team surpass that mark? We’ll have to keep watching to see how much power is in those bats.