Press Clippings April 5, 2017

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1971-The Reds play their first at Riverfront Stadium in front of 51,702 MLB.COM

Hamilton, Peraza aim to be Reds' dynamic duo By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | April 4th, 2017 + 67 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- When Reds manager Bryan Price put together his Opening Day lineup in , he was enthusiastic about Billy Hamilton at the top of the order and Jose Peraza second -- both speedsters just ahead of Joey Votto.

"It's a nice lead-in to the rest of the lineup," Price said. "I'm excited to see those guys get on base and create some opportunities for Joey and other guys throughout the lineup."

Of course, Hamilton's and Peraza's speed only helps the Reds if they can reach first base enough. Hamilton has a career on-base percentage of .297, while Peraza's OBP is .345 in his brief Major League career.

There is reason for Price's optimism, though. Although Hamilton, 26, had a .321 OBP for 2016, it was .369 after the All-Star break, while he batted .293. Peraza, 22, batted .324 with a .352 on-base percentage in 72 games last season.

For a seven-game stretch in late August, Hamilton and Peraza formed the top two of the order, and they batted a combined .323.

"Oh man, I think it's going to be really, really fun," said Hamilton, who has averaged 57 stolen bases over the past three seasons. "Peraza is one of those guys that I love watching play. He's a really great player. If I get on base or Peraza gets on base, Joey knows [] will try to be quick and try to do things that they normally don't do."

Taking a look at the data provided by Statcast™, both Hamilton and Peraza use their speed effectively. Hamilton's feats are well documented. His max-average time from home to first base on non-bunt plays was third best in at 3.89 seconds, while Peraza was 4.11 -- both were better than the 2015-16 league average of 4.16 seconds, and Peraza's time was 19th best among right- handed hitters who qualified. Hamilton owns the Statcast-measured record times from home to second base (7.28 seconds), home to third base (10.45 seconds), first to third (5.24 seconds) and first to home (8.23 seconds).

When it comes to taking leads, Hamilton has more experience and confidence. His average secondary lead of 20.3 feet was under the league average of 20.9, while Peraza checked in at 22.5 feet.

"Billy and I talked last year and [coach] Billy Hatcher has been talking about it," Peraza said via translator Julio Morillo. "They said, 'Get the lead, don't worry about it. And when you see the opportunity to run, you have the green light.'"

During Monday's 4-3 Opening Day loss to the Phillies, Hamilton was 1-for-4 with a two-out triple in the seventh inning and a third- inning sacrifice fly. Peraza was 2-for-4 with two singles, but he grounded into a rally/inning-ending 6-4-3 double play in the third and left Hamilton stranded with a in the seventh.

Neither was in scoring position during Votto's four plate appearances. Votto batted .326/.434/.550 with 29 home runs and 97 RBIs last season. If Hamilton and Peraza get on base consistently, Votto can boost his already great numbers. If they can't, their speed is wasted and Votto could be walked a lot with two outs and nobody on base.

"I know I can really get on base," Peraza said. "I am going to see a lot of in my at-bats, because they know he can run. If I get on base, it's going to be great for the team, because Joey is behind me and all of those guys. They can hit the balls in the gaps, and that's a lot of RBIs for the team." Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs.

Where the Reds' Top 30 prospects are starting the season By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com | @JonathanMayo | April 4th, 2017 + 0 COMMENTS

With the 2017 season getting started, here's a look at where the Reds' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start the season:

1. Nick Senzel -- (A Adv) 2. Amir Garrett -- Cincinnati Reds (MLB) 3. Jesse Winker -- (AAA) 4. Robert Stephenson -- Cincinnati Reds (MLB) 5. -- (A) 6. Aristides Aquino -- (AA) 7. -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 8. Tyler Stephenson -- Dayton Dragons (A) 9. Sal Romano -- Louisville Bats (AAA) 10. Tyler Mahle -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 11. Alfredo Rodriguez -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 12. Vladimir Gutierrez -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 13. Chris Okey -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 14. Shed Long -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 15. Antonio Santillan -- Dayton Dragons (A) 16. TJ Friedl -- Dayton Dragons (A) 17. Rookie Davis -- Cincinnati Reds (MLB) 18. Jimmy Herget -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 19. Keury Mella -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 20. Phil Ervin -- Louisville Bats (AAA) 21. Nicholas Travieso -- Disabled list/rehab 22. Austin Brice -- Disabled list 23. Ariel Hernandez -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 24. Blake Trahan -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 25. Alex Blandino -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 26. Carlton Daal -- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) 27. Gavin LaValley -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 28. Tanner Rainey -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv) 29. Nick Hanson -- Disabled list 30. Sebastian Elizalde -- Louisville Bats (AAA)

Team to watch For the second straight year, Pensacola has the most Top 30 players heading there, with nine. But it might be tempting to go to Daytona and the to begin the season. Much of that is because No. 1 prospect Nick Senzel is beginning the year there, but so are intriguing Cuban signs Alfredo Rodriguez and Vladimir Gutierrez. A total of five of the Top 15 -- 2016 draftee Chris Okey and infielder Shed Long are the other two -- will begin the year with the Tortugas.

Teams on MiLB.TV Louisville Bats Pensacola Blue Wahoos Dayton Dragons

New faces As the rebuilding effort continued this past offseason, the Reds sent right-hander to the Marlins for three prospects, all of whom will be making their debut with the Reds this month. Luis Castillo has the most upside of the trio, and he will begin the year with Double-A Pensacola in the Southern League. Austin Brice is beginning the year on the disabled list with an elbow issue, but if he can get healthy, he could contribute out of Cincinnati's this season. Isaiah White isn't on the Top 30 list, but he has some raw tools to work with. The other big-name new face is Gutierrez, the Cuban import the Reds gave $4.75 million to sign. He'll begin his career with Daytona in the Florida State League.

On the shelf The Reds knew that Nick Hanson would take a while to develop, since he was a high school from a cold-weather state (Minnesota). It's going to take even longer, as it was announced in March that the right-hander needed Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2017 season.

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanMayo and Facebook, and listen to him on the weekly Pipeline Podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Cincinnati Reds prospect Ian Kahaloa suspended 50 games Zach Buchanan , [email protected] 5:55 p.m. ET April 4, 2017

Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Ian Kahaloa has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old right-hander was the team's fifth-round pick out of a Hawaii high school in the 2015 draft. This year, ranked him 26th among the team's top 30 prospects, although he fell out of the top 30 for MLB.com after appearing there a year ago.

The positive test was his second, according to the announcement. Under MLB's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, a first positive test triggers only a "mandatory evaluation and follow-up testing." A third positive test would result in a 100-game suspension, while a fourth results in a permanent ban from affiliated baseball.

Under the program, a "drug of abuse" means a recreational drug such as – but not limited to – marijuana, cocaine or opiates. Which drug triggered a positive test is always kept confidential.

Last season was Kahaloa's second in pro ball, and his first full year after being drafted. He made 10 starts with Rookie-Advanced Billings, posting a 2.82 ERA and striking out 8.5 batters per nine innings.

Reds' Brandon Finnegan at 23: 'Weird' being one of the older guys Tom Groeschen , [email protected] Published 3:30 p.m. ET April 4, 2017 |

Brandon Finnegan, at age 23, is a relative graybeard in the Reds' 2017 pitching rotation.

The left-handed Finnegan will get the start Wednesday (7:10 p.m.) in the second game of the season-opening Reds-Phillies series at Great American Ball Park. Finnegan will try to get the Reds their first win after a 4-3 Opening Day loss Monday.

Finnegan enters just his second full season in the majors, after going 10-11 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts last year. With 34-year-old Scott Feldman having started the opener, Finnegan will be followed by rookies Rookie Davis (Thursday vs. the Phillies) and Amir Garrett (Friday at St. Louis). Davis is 23 years old and Garrett is 24, with both yet to throw a major league pitch.

“We’ve got Scott in the rotation too, so he’s been around for a long time,” Finnegan said. “If I need anything, I go to him and he helps me out. It’s just nice to say I’ve been here for a little bit.”

The bearded Finnegan smiled when asked about his “elder statesman” status.

“It was definitely nice coming into spring training knowing I just needed to get ready for the season, instead of winning a job,” Finnegan said. “But you know, every day I have something new to learn.”

The teachers have included 40-year-old right-hander , who soon should officially be on board. The Reds have listed Saturday’s starter as TBA, but it is expected to be Arroyo, who is returning from arm troubles. Arroyo was a Reds rotation anchor from 2006-13, winning 105 games.

With veteran right-handers and Anthony DeSclafani disabled with elbow ailments, Finnegan could emerge as the Reds’ No. 1 starter in the early going. “Could” is the key word.

“Brandon isn’t established in this league yet,” Reds pitching coach Mack Jenkins said. “He needs to go out and do the things he did for the last two or three months of the season last year.”

Finnegan had a 2.93 ERA after the All-Star break last year, after posting a 4.71 mark beforehand. Finnegan also averaged 9.17 per nine innings in the second half, the seventh-best ratio among qualifying National League pitchers.

“He goes as his command goes,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He has room to improve the command, the pitch quality of his three pitches. When they all show up – the , and change-up – he can be extremely effective both as a combination of a ground ball pitcher and a strikeout pitcher.”

Finnegan was not exactly in spring training 2017, posting a 7.63 ERA in 15 ⅓ innings. Finnegan also allowed three homers, walked nine and struck out 13. The Reds could not care less about those numbers.

“He got his work in,” Jenkins said. “He didn’t pitch extremely well, but he kind of, you know, got the kinks out. He got his pitch- count up. He’s ready to go.”

Price agreed.

“Where he gets in trouble is where his pitch count goes up early in the game, and he gets a little erratic with the overall command,” Price said. “He will continue to work on his delivery and the quality of his pitches, because he competes like crazy. He’s as good a competitor as we have on the staff.”

Finnegan said he can feel his command sharpening.

“My pitches have been working pretty well,” he said. “I just have to keep working and make sure I don’t lose that feel for them, that touch.”

For a youngster, Finnegan already has walked in tall cotton. The Fort Worth, Texas, native was the Kansas City Royals’ top pick in the June 2014 draft, chosen 17th overall. That year, the Texas Christian University product became the first player to appear in the NCAA College World Series and the Major League Baseball World Series in the same year.

Finnegan was traded from the Royals to the Reds in the deal on July 26, 2015, when Cincinnati also obtained left- handers John Lamb and Cody Reed. Reed should pop into the Reds' rotation before long.

For now, the 40-year-old Arroyo will be a huge clubhouse presence when he does return. Regardless, Finnegan will continue in his unique role as both student and mentor in the Reds' rotation. Finnegan will turn 24 on April 14.

“It’s something I want to be down the road, too, a guy that’s been around for a while,” Finnegan said. “It’s definitely weird being, I guess one of the older guys. But I’m real close with all the guys we have on our staff, with Rookie and Amir and Cody and Rob (Stephenson). If they have anything, they know to come to me or Scott. The staff we have is special.”

Brandon Finnegan file

Age: 23

Born: April 14, 1993 (Fort Worth, Texas)

College: TCU

Bats: Left; Throws: Left

MLB Service: 1.107 years

MLB Career Pitching

2014-15: Kansas City 3-1, 2.59 ERA (21 games)

2015-16: Cincinnati 12-13, 4.00 ERA (37 games)

TOTALS: 15-14, 3.81 ERA (58 games)

Reds' Split the Pot payday of more than $34K not yet claimed Dave Clark , [email protected] Published 12:58 p.m. ET April 4, 2017 | Updated 21 hours ago

The Opening Day Split the Pot raffle to benefit baseball-themed outreach initiatives of the Reds Community Fund generated the largest pot for a Reds game (including playoffs) since it started in 2010 ($76,403.00), according to the Reds.

The prize for the winning ticket - worth $34,381.00 - has not been claimed, according to the Split the Pot page on Reds.com and the Reds.

The winning ticket number is A-331689. The team would honor a winning ticket at any time, according to Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank.

The winning number usually is announced at GABP during the eighth inning, according to Reds.com, but a message on the scoreboard near the end of the game directed people to the website to check for the information. Frank said the Split the Pot winner wasn’t determined by the end of the game Monday because tickets were still being printed due to the volume of sales.

Frank added that the only two Split the Pot totals that have been greater than Monday's were from the 2015 Derby (which benefited the Reds) and the All-Star Game (which benefited MLB Charities).

More from the Split the Pot page on Reds.com:

One lucky fan wins 50 percent of the net proceeds from the raffle. The remainder of the proceeds from each raffle will be used to benefit the numerous baseball-themed outreach initiatives of the Reds Community Fund.

Support the Reds Community Fund by purchasing your "Split the Pot" tickets at every Reds home game throughout the 2017 season.

Tickets will be available at the Reds Community Fund Booth located on the main concourse level of Great American Ball Park near section 120 (by Gapper's Alley) or at the Split the Pot kiosks located behind section 420 on the View Level as well as along the first and third base main concourse level. Tickets can also be purchased from volunteers who will be canvasing the ballpark throughout the game as well. Fans can purchase tickets from the time gates open until the middle of the seventh inning.

After loss, 'all about execution' for Reds RHP Scott Feldman C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] Published 7:20 p.m. ET April 3, 2017 | Updated 8:41 a.m. ET April 4, 2017

Until roughly 4:12 p.m., Scott Feldman was having an ideal Opening Day — he walked to the ballpark through the parade and watched the flyover by two F-16 Fighting Falcons.

He even started the game off right, getting a called strike on Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez on a 90-mph fastball. Hernandez got in a hole, fouling off the next two pitches. Then things quickly went south.

Feldman threw two pitches outside the strike zone before Hernandez fouled off another pitch. He missed inside with his seventh pitch and then his eighth, 91-mph fastball, was in the strike zone, but in Hernandez’s power zone. The 26-year-old, who had eight career home runs in his 1,330 career plate appearances before Monday, pulled the fastball into the seats in right to give the Phillies a lead they’d never relinquish, beating the Reds 4-3 at Great American Ball Park.

“It's a special day and something I'll never forget,” Feldman said of Monday’s start, his third career Opening Day start and first with the Reds. “But hopefully put this one behind us and come back in our next couple of days and get a couple of wins here.”

Feldman nearly got out of the first inning without further damage after a hit and double play, but Maikel Franco singled and then scored on Michael Saunders’ double off the wall in left-center field. Franco slide head-first into home, just ahead of the tag of Tucker Barnhart.

The other side of the Phillies’ double-play combination, eight-hole hitter Freddy Galvis, pounced on a high fastball for a solo home run in the second inning to put the Reds down 3-0 after just four Phillies outs.

But from there, Feldman showed the poise manager Bryan Price had hoped to see when he named the 34-year-old his Opening Day starter.

“It could have been one of those games where everything kind of falls apart, and next thing you know it’s a 7-0 ballgame and, I hate to say playing it out, but it really limits the expectation that you’re going to get back in that game,” Price said. “He didn’t do that. He gave up the runs early and then he almost finished the fifth (inning). His pitch count got up there. That game could have gotten away and it didn’t, in large part because Scott was able to handle that situation and limit the damage.”

Feldman retired nine of 11 (and one of those who he didn’t retire, Barnhart threw out on a steal attempt) from there before giving up a two-outs single to left fielder Howie Kendrick and walking Odubel Herrera to end his day after just 4 2/3 innings, but 99 pitches.

While Price and others offered silver linings, Feldman had none of them. No excuses about Great American Ball Park’s generously turning fly balls into home runs, nothing about the time of year or even the rain that started falling during the game. For Feldman, at least, Monday’s performance wasn’t good enough.

“I think that any time you don't even make it through five, it's tough to pull too many positives from that, but from a stuff standpoint, I feel like I'm right where I need to be,” Feldman said. “Now it's all about execution. I feel healthy and good, my arm feels great. I need to execute the pitches better and throw some more innings.” DAYTON DAILY NEWS

Could experience at catcher be key to Reds keeping pitching together? Marcus Hartman Staff Writer 3:06 p.m Tuesday, April 4, 2017

A funny thing happened on the way to a Reds blowout loss to the Phillies on Opening Day: Cincinnati pitchers stopped giving up runs almost entirely after the second inning,

Recalling the disastrous early part of 2016, the situation looked pretty dire when new starter Scott Feldman gave up three runs (including two home runs) before getting his fifth out of the game.

That, “Here we go again,” feeling naturally began to creep in — and quickly.

But Feldman got it together, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings before his pitch count caught up with him and rookie Barrett Astin was called in to get the last out of the fifth inning.

The bullpen, worst in baseball last season, gave up only one run in the last 4 1/3 innings, and that came on a play that arguably could have been made by right fielder Scott Schebler.

Ultimately, Philadelphia eked out a 4-3 win instead of running away with it. Naturally, everyone in the clubhouse wanted to know from Feldman what changed as potential disaster turned into just a slightly below-average start (4 2/3 innings, seven hits, three runs, two walks, six strikeouts) for a 34-year-old with a career ERA of 4.40.

“I felt fine in the first inning,” said Feldman, who signed with the Reds as a free agent in January. “I just made a couple mistakes and unfortunately gave up a couple of runs. I felt fine from the get-go. I warmed up well and felt nice and loose when I went out there. It was great pitching in front of the big crowd and all that, but yeah I just didn’t execute my pitches as well in the first inning.”

His answers were mundane, but his catcher offered something interesting.

Tucker Barnhart explained Feldman found more success after the catcher started calling for some different combinations of pitches.

“I think it was a little bit more off-speed heavy than it was early in the first couple innings,” Barnhart said. “But that’s just kind of us learning what works — me specifically learning what works for Scott, what gets him back on the right track if his command is going haywire a little bit. But that will come over time.”

That is a little eyebrow-raising considering the nearly team-wide struggles of the first half last season came with Barnhart having to learn a lot of new pitchers on the fly.

He was also dealing with the personal lessons of his first full season in the big leagues.

The 26-year-old said there is no shortcut for that learning process — but on the bright side, Feldman is more the exception than the rule for Barnhart, who is far more familiar with the pitching staff than he was at this time last season.

Perhaps that will pay dividends as the year goes along.

Perhaps it already has.

“We have video and spring training outings but there’s only so much those can do for you until you step on the field in the big leagues when it matters,” the catcher said. “The next game I call with Feldman is gonna be in five days and hopefully will be a lot more like the third, fourth and fifth inning as opposed to the first and second inning just because I felt like we kept guys more off balance once we started doing that.”

TRANSACTIONS

04/04/17 traded C Tyler Heineman to for Player To Be Named Later. released RHP Ian Gardeck. Milwaukee Brewers recalled LHP Brent Suter from . Milwaukee Brewers placed RHP Junior Guerra on the 10-day disabled list. Strained right calf. optioned Evan Marshall to . Seattle Mariners transferred LHP Drew Smyly from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Left arm flexor strain. Seattle Mariners claimed RHP Evan Marshall off waivers from . Houston Astros sent RHP Collin McHugh on a rehab assignment to . San Francisco Giants released RHP Ray Black..