Reds News: Carlos Jorge web gem, Luke Holman AFL dominance, Orioles sign ex-pitcher

Several Cincinnati Reds players and prospects are participating in winter ball this year. Top prospect Alfredo Duno is playing for Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League (LVBP), while Ruben Ibarra and Ichiro Cano are suiting up south of the border in the Mexican Winter League.

The most popular winter league, however, is the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM), which is where the Reds sent a pair of outfielders. Noelvi Marte, who is coming off another disappointing season, is getting in some extra reps this month with the Gigantes del Cibao. His teammate, Carlos Jorge, is hoping that solid showing this winter will catapult him onto the Reds 2027 Opening Day roster.

Reds News: Carlos Jorge robs former shortstop Jose Barrero

Jorge certainly helped his cause during Tuesday's game against Tigres del Licey when he robbed former Reds' shortstop Jose Barrero of a would-be base hit with a head-first dive during the fourth inning. The Reds' centerfielder got a terrific jump, laid out, and took away what could've been an RBI.

This is Jorge's second time playing for the Gigantes del Cibao. He appeared 33 games in LIDOM last winter, hitting .221/.339/.316. He's only played in three winter-league games thus far, going 1-for-8 with a home run.

With TJ Friedl no longer on the Reds' roster and Blake Dunn likely sidelined for most of 2027 following elbow surgery, Jorge has a golden opportunity to steal a spot on the Reds' roster next spring. His glove has long been his calling card, but if his minor-league performance from last season (.308/.376/.427) translates to the big leagues, Cincinnati may have no need to splurge on a centerfielder this offseason.

Reds News: Luke Holman twirls another gem in Arizona Fall League

The Reds selected Luke Holman out of LSU in Round 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft. Unfortunately, injuries have dogged his steps since he joined the organization, and to date, he has just six minor league appearances over two-plus seasons.

But Holman is making the most of his trip to Arizona this fall. He's appeared in three games for the Peoria Javelinas and has allowed just one run on four hits while striking out 15 batters. His latest performance saw the right-hander go four shutout innings while punching out five and allowing just two hits.

Reds News: Former Cincy reliever Jayvien Sandridge signs with Orioles

Jayvien Sandridge has just one Major League appearance on his résumé, and it wasn't during his tenure with Cincinnati. Nevertheless, the left-hander spent three seasons in the Reds organization, and, at one time, was a highly regarded prospect.

Sandridge is now headed back to the franchise that drafted him all the way back in 2018. He inked a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles after spending last season with three different organizations, including the O's. Sandridge spent most of last season on the IL with an unidentified injury, and logged just six appearances for the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate.

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