Press Clippings June 13, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1997-For the first time in the Reds 129-year history, the club plays an opponent during the regular season. The White Sox win, 3-1 MLB.COM Reds take star HS RHP Greene at No. 2 By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 3:33 AM ET + 100 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- was arguably the best prospect available in the 2017 Draft, and with the No. 2 overall selection Monday, the Reds selected him out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 1 Draft prospect in the class, the right-handed Greene has a fastball that has shown 102 mph on the radar gun. He is already a national phenomenon, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated earlier this spring.

"I spent the last couple of months worrying that we weren't picking high enough to get him," Reds general manager Dick Williams said. "I'm really thrilled that we were able to get him at No. 2."

• Reds' 32nd overall: Jeter Downs

• Reds' 38th overall: Stuart Fairchild

Greene attended the Draft at MLB Network studios and did not have to waste a moment to put on a Reds jersey and cap while meeting MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

"This is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I get to go out and start my career and have a blast with a great ballclub and a great group of guys," Greene said.

The Reds selected Greene as a pitcher, but he's also a and could be a rare dynamic two-way player. Had he entered the Draft as a position player, he likely would also have been a first-round pick.

"We're going to leave the door open for both," Williams said. "This is a very unique situation, something we've never been confronted with before. We're thrilled to have the opportunity to go through this with Hunter.

"I will say we think the elite talent is there both ways, but pitching will be the first focus, this summer in particular. We want to make sure he builds up some more and that will be the focus. While he's in the process of building up innings, I think he can get at-bats."

Greene trusted the organization to make the right decision.

"Whatever they want me to do, I am going to be pumped to do it, just compete and be the best I can be," Greene said.

The Draft continues on Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with exclusive coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Greene, who will turn 18 in August, attended the alma mater of All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton. He has been part of MLB's developmental program for a decade, first going to the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., at the age of 7.

"They had great Major League tutelage there," Greene said. "But the thing I took the most out of it was being a Major League citizen and helping other people and just being a responsible young man and working hard every time I step on that field."

Cincinnati is also home to an Urban Youth Academy, and should Greene pan out and reach the Major Leagues, he's excited to participate in programming at that facility.

"Having the connection already at the one in Compton and now coming over to Cincinnati and having those relationships is something I'm already looking forward to doing," Greene said.

During his senior season at Notre Dame, Greene was 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in five games, recording 43 and four walks over 28 innings. He had a 1.62 ERA over his high school career, also .324/.374/.598 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. He has played for the U.S. national team at various levels, helping the 18-and-under squad win the World Cup in 2015, when he was just 15 years old.

Both Williams and Greene expressed optimism that his signing could happen quickly.

"I am just excited to go out there as soon as possible, be able to meet the staff and the players and get the ball rolling and start something special," Greene said.

Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs.

Reds select shortstop named Jeter at 32 By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 4:01 AM ET + 5 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- Using their competitive-balance pick at No. 32 overall in the MLB Draft, the Reds selected a shortstop with a fitting name of one of the best to play the game. It was Jeter Downs from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Ranked as the No. 37 prospect in the Draft by MLBPipeline.com, the 18-year-old Downs was born in St. Andres, Colombia, and was indeed named after former Yankees great shortstop .

"When he came into the Major Leagues [in 1995], he was the name. He was the thing. He was shining," Downs explained. "It was 'Jeter this, Jeter that.' It was actually my Mom's idea. My brother got Jerry from my Dad [Jerry Sr.]. It was my Mom's turn to pick a name since I was a second child. She just fell in love with Jeter and the way he played, his humbleness, how he carried himself on and off the field.

"That's how I pride myself. I try to do the right thing on and off the field, whether it's baseball-related or out with friends or helping somebody out on the street. It's kind of ironic that I have the name because that's exactly the person I model myself after."

Also ironically, the Reds had the opportunity to draft Derek Jeter with the fifth overall pick in the 1992 Draft but passed on him to take . Jeter was taken sixth by the Yankees and became a superstar, while Mottola never really materialized after he reached the big leagues. But they didn't pass on this Jeter.

The Draft continues Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with exclusive coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

According to Draft scouting reports, Downs is viewed as a solid defensive player at shortstop, with a slightly above-average arm.

"We've seen Jeter. He's played in almost everything," Reds vice president of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said. "A young shortstop from Miami who is very advanced with his bat. Even though he's in a high-school uniform, he's a little more like a college player. He's very, very advanced."

Downs has a baseball family. His father played professionally in Colombia, and his brother was taken by the Red Sox in the 15th round of the 2015 Draft. His father, who currently works for Carnival Cruise Lines, always planned on bringing his kids to America to play ball.

"His dream was always to bring us over here and let us chase our dreams and work hard and one day be at this point," Downs said. "This is just the starting point. Now I've just got to work hard every single day to make it to the big leagues."

Downs has a commitment to play for the , but appeared very excited about starting a professional career.

"I've been dreaming about this since I was 10 years old," Downs said. "It has finally come, and it still feels so surreal."

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 Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Arroyo tripped up by Padres' big 2nd By Jay Paris and Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com | 2:19 AM ET + 22 COMMENTS

In recognition of the 2017 MLB Draft, which runs through Wednesday, we are including where and when each player was drafted. For complete coverage of the Draft -- which you can watch live in its entirety on MLB.com -- please visit Draft Central.

SAN DIEGO -- On the night they added more young talent to their organization, the Padres proved they already have plenty, with Franchy Cordero's first homer the highlight of a six-, second-inning outburst that guided to a 9-3 victory over the Reds on Monday.

Cordero's opportunity with the Padres is the result of several injuries in their outfield, prompting his May callup. The 22-year-old rookie was a shortstop until 2015, but he's .298/.353/.511 while serving as the Padres' primary center fielder in recent weeks.

"You always have to have faith," Cordero said through a team interpreter. "In yourself, in your talent, and believe that things are going to happen.

"I've always been looking for that . I've always been waiting for it."

Shortly after the Padres made their second of three Draft picks Monday, Reds right-hander Bronson Arroyo (No. 69 overall pick, 1995 Draft, Hernando HS in Florida) hit Cory Spangenberg (No. 10 overall pick, 2011 Draft, Indian River Community College) with a pitch, sparking San Diego's comeback from a 2-1 deficit. Spangenberg and Allen Cordoba scored on a two-run double by Austin Hedges (No. 82 overall pick, 2011 Draft, JSerra Catholic HS in ), who came around when Jose Pirela continued his scorching June with an RBI single.

That was when Cordero launched his first Major League homer, an opposite-field shot to left that traveled a projected 365 feet.

"Those are moments you know a guy will remember the rest of his baseball career," Padres manager Andy Green said. "He's going to know exactly who he hit his first home run off of. He'll remember the day. He'll remember what it felt like. He'll have it with him for the rest of his life."

Two batters later, Yangervis Solarte, who hit an RBI single in the first, blasted his sixth homer to center to complete the six-run frame.

"Before I knew it, there was a six-spot on the board,'' Arroyo said. "It was one of those things that I couldn't stop the train from rolling downhill. It looked like they knew what was coming half of the time.''

Wil Myers (No. 91 overall pick, 2009 Draft, Wesleyan Christian Academy in North Carolina) and Hedges added RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, to give the Padres their highest-scoring performance since April 29 against the Giants.

Padres right-hander Luis Perdomo had gone winless in his first 10 starts before holding Cincinnati to three runs in 6 2/3 innings.

"He got that lead and he ran with it," Reds manager said. "Fastball, for strikes and he pounded the zone.''

Arroyo was less successful, lasting 4 2/3 innings and allowing nine runs on 13 hits, one of which was a by Perdomo.

"We told them to treat it almost like a backyard Wiffle ball game," Green said of the Padres' approach against Arroyo. "Just relax and hit and have fun hitting. Felt like the guys, for the most part, did a very good job of that today."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Hedges hits: Despite batting eighth, Hedges took advantage of the run-scoring opportunities that came his way Monday. With the Padres trailing, 2-1, in the second, he roped a two-run double down the left-field line to give them a lead they didn't give up. His line-drive single in the fifth added another run, even though he was thrown out at second after stumbling on his way around first. The Reds even gifted him a hit in the third, when their four infielders converged on his popup but allowed it to fall. The three-RBI performance brought Hedges' season total up to 34, leaving him one shy of tying the Royals' Salvador Perez for the most among MLB .

Two-out trouble: Perdomo pinned the Padres in an early hole when he allowed four straight Reds to reach with two outs in the first, with Scott Schebler (26th round, 2010 Draft, Des Moines Area Community College) hitting a two-run single with the bases loaded. (No. 44 overall pick, 2002 Draft, Richview Collegiate Institute) sparked the rally with a sinking single to left Pirela couldn't corral with a dive, and (11th round, 2010 Draft, University of Louisville) reached when Spangenberg struggled to get a ball out of his glove, leading to an infield single. Monday's first was the sixth time since Wednesday the Padres retired the first two batters of an inning before allowing their opponent to score multiple runs. Entering Monday's game, San Diego allowed a .324 average with two outs in June, the worst in baseball.

"He was good in the first inning," Green said of Perdomo. "... Thought he did some good things. Had some life on his fastball. Happy for him to see that. Kid deserves a win by now."

QUOTABLE

"I'm proud of both of them, but I feel better about the win because now I feel like I have more confidence." -- Perdomo, when asked to compare his first win to his two triples

"I've got to catch a streak here where I put together two or three quality outings. And if not, I'm sure there is going to be a time when someone takes my spot if I don't get it done.'' -- Arroyo, on what the future holds for the struggling veteran

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

With his fifth-inning triple, Perdomo became the first pitcher in Padres history with two triples in a single season, a feat no Major League pitcher had accomplished since Dontrelle Willis, who hit three for the Marlins in 2007.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

The Reds challenged that Schebler was hit by a Craig Stammen (12th round, 2005 Draft, University of Dayton) pitch that was called a ball in the ninth. A replay determined the call stands.

WHAT'S NEXT

Reds: Cincinnati's top starter, (30th round, 2003 Draft, College of San Mateo), gets the nod Tuesday at 10:10 p.m. ET as he aims for his fourth straight win. Feldman, who leads the staff with six quality starts, is 2-1 lifetime against the Padres.

Padres: The Padres will send a rested Clayton Richard (eighth round, 2005 Draft, University of Michigan) to the mound Tuesday. The veteran left-hander threw only 77 pitches in his last start against Arizona, taking the loss after allowing four runs over five innings. In 12 career appearances against the Reds, Richard has a 6.31 ERA. His first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.

Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.

Jay Paris is a contributor to MLB.com and covered the Reds on Monday.

Nathan Ruiz is a reporter for MLB.com based in San Diego.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Feldman out to extend winning streak By Jay Paris / Special to MLB.com | June 12th, 2017 + 0 COMMENTS

Scott Feldman's season continues to blossom as he returns to a starter's role with Cincinnati.

Feldman (30th round, 2003 Draft, College of San Mateo), who was used almost entirely as a reliever last season with the and , seeks his fourth straight win (5-4 overall, 4.09 ERA) when the visiting Reds take on the on Tuesday night.

"I've seen him be good as a and I think that's where he is best served for us," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "I think he is a big league starter and he has certainly been our top guy."

The Padres will counter with lefty Clayton Richard (eighth round, 2005 Draft, University of Michigan) in the second contest of the three-game series. Richard (4-7, 4.54) has lost three of his last five outings, which include getting beat by the on Thursday.

Things to know about this game

• The Reds' Scott Schebler (26th round, 2010 Draft, Des Moines Area Community College) is among the leaders in homers despite hitting just 12 long flies over his first season and a half in the Majors. Schebler's average exit velocity is nearly identical this season to last season, but the big change has come in how he's lifting the ball. The right fielder has lifted his average launch angle from 6.5 to 12.8 degrees -- constituting the fifth-highest increase among qualified hitters -- and moving himself up into line-drive territory.

• Richard has lost both his career decisions to Cincinnati while pitching to a 6.31 ERA in 12 games (six starts).

• The Reds are in a stretch where they play 13 of 16 games on the road.

Jay Paris is a contributor to MLB.com based in San Diego. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Reds nab All-American OF in second round By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 4:45 AM ET + 0 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- Wake Forest center fielder Stuart Fairchild had to endure the frustration of his team being eliminated Monday night by Florida in the NCAA Super Regional. But Fairchild also got some good news when he was selected in the second round (38th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Reds.

Fairchild, 21, was a first-team All-American by and the 57th-best prospect on the board by MLBPipeline.com.

"He's a very talented center fielder. Has a chance to be a five-tool player, to be a complete player," Reds vice president of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said.

• Reds' 2nd overall pick: Hunter Greene

• Reds' 32nd overall: Jeter Downs

Listed at 6-foot, 205 pounds, Fairchild batted .360/.437/.640 with 17 home runs, 67 RBIs and 21 steals in 61 games.

"A more advanced college player who does a tremendous job defensively," Reds general manager Dick Williams said.

With their earlier selections on Day 1 of the Draft, the Reds took pitcher Hunter Greene with the second overall pick and shortstop Jeter Downs at No. 32 with their competitive-balance pick.

"There's nothing like Draft day," Williams said. "You get really excited about the guys you get. We really felt like we got the kind of players we wanted to get. I think most teams feel that way, but when you've got guys lined up and you see those picks coming off the board, and you get a sense of who is going to be there, you start to get your hopes up. The guys we wanted to get were there when we drafted, so we feel really good about this Draft class."

The Draft continues Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with exclusive coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

"We've got a good group," Williams said. "Now we've got to add a little pitching tomorrow. But we're in good shape."

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 Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Cozart surges into voting lead at SS for ASG By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | June 12th, 2017 + 3 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart has zoomed to the top of the leaderboard among National League in the latest update of the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot on Monday.

Cozart, who was in third place in the first update and in second place a week ago, has moved ahead of the Dodgers' Kyle Seager with 997,966 votes. Seager now trails with 804,788 votes. Addison Russell of the Cubs is third with 758,037 votes, Trea Turner of the Nationals is fourth with 502,988 votes and of the D-backs rounds out the top five with 426,590 votes.

The Reds have not had a player elected to the All-Star Game since Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips in 2013. Cozart would become the first Reds shortstop to earn a fan election since Hall of Famer earned starting assignments from the fans in 1999 and 2000.

For the first time in balloting, Votto entered the leaderboard at his position. The veteran slugger is in fifth place with 334,802 votes, and he trails leader Ryan Zimmerman (1,060,532 votes), Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs (950,851), Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt (560,456) and of the Braves (522,827).

Among , Reds left fielder Adam Duvall has moved up from 13th to 10th place this week, with 379,541 votes.

The next ballot update will be on June 19.

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.

Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.

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 Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Gennett's 4-HR game leads to NL weekly honor By Daniel Kramer / MLB.com | June 12th, 2017 + 2 COMMENTS

On the heels of a historic four-homer game, Scooter Gennett was named National League Player of the Week on Monday.

Gennett became the 17th player in Major League history -- and the first for the Reds -- to go deep four times in one game, finishing 5-for-5 with four homers and 10 RBIs in Tuesday's 13-1 win against the Cardinals. He was 10-for-20 with 13 RBIs and a 1.700 OPS on the week.

Waived by Milwaukee during the final week of , Gennett was picked up by Cincinnati on March 28 and primarily has been a backup utility man through his first 50 games of 2017, making 24 starts. He was playing left field for Adam Duvall in his slugfest on Tuesday.

"I would have to certainly say, based on his recent performance, I found a way to get him in there," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Every now and again, I get my share of mail that suggests I should be making decisions other than the ones I'm making. I would think after a four-homer game and not starting him, I would get more of that mail."

Drafted in the 16th round in 2009 by the Brewers, with whom he spent the first four years of his big league career, Gennett was named Player of the Week for the first time in his career, and he is the first Cincinnati player to receive the honor since for the week of June 1 in 2015.

"It's all about what you're going to do for me today. It's going to take some time for me to earn that right to be in there at the top of the lineup," Gennett said. "It's something that's out of my control, in a sense. I'll go out and play, have fun and keep moving up. We all want to get better."

Daniel Kramer is a reporter for MLB.com based in Denver. Follow him on Twitter at @DKramer_. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Arroyo shelled again, but not giving up yet Zach Buchanan , [email protected] Published 2:39 a.m. ET June 13, 2017 | Updated 1 hour ago

SAN DIEGO – The second he came out of the game Monday – nine runs to his ledger in just 4 2/3 innings, his team heading to a 9- 2 defeat to the San Diego Padres – Bronson Arroyo’s mind kicked into high gear.

His comeback with the Cincinnati Reds hadn’t been going as hoped. His ERA sat at 7.01, his fastball at 85 mph. Despite more than two years away from pitching and two surgeries to fix an aging body, he felt like a stronger 40-year-old pitcher in June than he did in April. But something wasn’t right.

That added brawn had not added velocity to his fastball. He could let it loose more than ever in his bullpens, but his pitches still greeted opposing hitters hospitably. So, as he exited the game and entered the visiting dugout at Petco Park, he approached a sweatshirted on the bench and began to talk.

He’d been able to work out harder, Arroyo told the , and could throw his between-start side sessions with full effort. His arm was pain-free, yet his performance remained painful. Back in April his arm felt soggy and weak, but his pitches seemed to have more life.

As Arroyo pondered the riddle of how to access whatever potential was left in his arm, Mesoraco looked toward the action on the field. He chewed sunflower seeds, he sipped water and he nodded. He spoke only occasionally, and answers weren’t expected of him. Arroyo was working out a problem for himself. Mesoraco was his scratch paper.

“He knows more about himself and pitching than I could ever know anything about any subject,” Mesoraco said. “So I just kind of kept quiet and let him talk himself out.”

After the game, Arroyo hadn’t uncovered the skeleton key to unlock his predicament. But he also hadn’t pushed his chair from the table and walked away from the problem altogether. He knows he’s been a burden on a team that’s done its best to hover in the neighborhood of .500. His barometer for success is a good start two-thirds of the time, and by his measure he’s sitting at 50 percent.

But he can feel it in there, the physical ability to still pitch like a big-leaguer. It feels than it’s ever been since he had Tommy John surgery nearly three years ago. He can’t just walk away now.

"I’m definitely confident," he said.

Arroyo also knows he’s running out of rope. Right now he’s among the best options for a club that wants to shield its young pitchers in Triple-A, away from big-league hitters who could beat down their confidence.

But soon the Reds will welcome back and Brandon Finnegan from the disabled list, and two spots will have to come open. At some point, , Rookie Davis and Sal Romano will be ready to test the majors again.

“I’ve got to catch a streak here where I can kind of put two or three good, good quality outings together,” Arroyo said. “If not, I’m sure there’s going to come a time where someone’s going to take my spot if I don’t get it done.”

Until then he’ll gamely carry on, hoping to solve the equation of pitching at 40 years old and 84 miles an hour. He wants to be useful, and in a sense Monday he was.

Despite allowing six back-breaking runs in the second inning, Arroyo battled for eight more outs. The bullpen needed the break. Like with his spot in the rotation, Arroyo was the best option the Reds had to eat innings.

There were no mound visits from the pitching or the manager. Arroyo knew his responsibility was to grind it out, even if he’d fallen short of greater success. After the game, Reds manager Bryan Price said the right-hander’s professionalism is one of the reasons he remains in the rotation.

“He understands that you can’t just come out of those games, when things aren’t going your way and you know that your numbers are getting crushed,” Price said. “His ERA goes up over 7.00. He just knows it’s his job.”

Reds 'thrilled' Hunter Greene 'fell' to them at No. 2 C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] Published 7:18 p.m. ET June 12, 2017 | Updated 60 minutes ago

“Sports Illustrated” called California high schooler Hunter Greene “the star baseball needs” on its cover two months ago. The Reds are hoping he’s the star the magazine predicted.

The Reds selected the ballyhooed prep right-hander and shortstop with the second overall pick.

“I spent the last couple of months worrying that we weren’t picking high enough to get him,” Reds general manager Dick Williams said Monday night. “I’m really thrilled that we able to get him at No. 2.”

The Reds had targeted Greene throughout the draft process, waiting only to see if the would pass on him. No high school right-handed pitcher has ever been selected with the first overall pick in the MLB draft.

The Twins selected fellow Southern California high school shortstop with the top pick. Greene hasn’t pitched in a high school game since April. While MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced Greene as a right-handed pitcher, the Reds’ official press release had Greene listed as both a pitcher and a shortstop.

Monday night, Williams said the team would “leave the door open” on both options, but this summer he will concentrate on pitching.

“As I've said many times, playing at the highest level is very difficult and I just wouldn't ever want somebody to try to focus on both to the detriment of one,” Williams said. “So, we think Hunter's got a great chance to be a major leaguer as a pitcher. We think the potential is there as a position player. I think at first we will focus on pitching and allow him to take at-bats. We'll keep the door open to playing the field. This is a very unique situation, something we've never been confronted with before. We're thrilled to have the opportunity to go through this with Hunter.“

Greene’s fastball has been clocked at 102 mph and most expect his future to be on the mound, even if he loves to play both spots.

Greene said he is holding out hope to get a chance, at least, to play both positions.

“On the mound, I consider myself a monster,” Greene said. “I’m a different person than off the . I pound the zone, I get ahead. I stare guys in the eyes. I just like the whole competitive edge and really competing the best that I can.

“At shortstop, showing my range and having smooth hands and footwork and firing across the diamond. Then hitting, just having good pitch selection and crushing balls and helping out the team at the plate, too. That's me.”

So which one is he?

“I’m all of the above,” he replied, although later when asked, he said he’d defer to whatever the Reds decided.

At Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., Greene made just five pitching appearances, spending most of his time at shortstop. He was 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA with 43 strikeouts and just four walks in 28 innings pitched. As a hitter, he hit .324/.374/.598 with six home runs.

Williams did say the Reds expected him to still get at-bats this summer, even if he doesn’t play in the field. Greene didn’t pitch after April, so Williams said he’d like to have him build up innings as a pro once he signs.

Neither Williams nor Greene expected any issues in getting a deal done.

“I am excited to get out there,” Greene said. “Obviously, I’m just a ballplayer and focusing on baseball. The whole negotiation part and signing and everything, I’m not a part of it. I am just excited to go out there as soon as possible, be able to meet the staff and the players and get the ball rolling and start something special.”

With his “Sports Illustrated” cover appearance, Greene joined the likes of Bryce Haper and LeBron James as high school players on the cover of the magazine. He was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect by both Baseball America and MLB.com.

“I think it's important that I mention what struck me about Hunter – the baseball are skills are there, the scouts saw him. The reports I read are like no other reports I’ve seen in my limited time in baseball, making some historic comparisons,” Williams said. “That’s not my job. What I saw in Hunter is a belief in himself.

“They may sound a little corny on a call like this but his awareness of his place in the world. I saw struck by the maturity you all have seen. He understands that being able to play baseball at this level is a gift. It’s not something to be taken for granted. I was incredibly impressed by how he’s leveraged that gift to share happiness with other people. He’s going to be a tremendous baseball player, and he’s going to be a tremendous person.”

The Reds picked No. 2 overall for the second straight year, taking Tennessee last year. The Reds have never picked first overall in the draft.

The first two rounds of the draft were Monday night. Rounds three through 10 being at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, with rounds 11-40 beginning Wednesday at noon.

The Reds also had a competitive balance round pick at No. 32 overall and the second-round pick is No. 38 overall. Reds take Wake Forest CF Stuart Fairchild in 2nd round C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] 12:05 a.m. ET June 13, 2017

Just minutes after his college season finished with a 3-0 loss to Florida in the NCAA Super Regional, Wake Forest All-American center fielder Stuart Fairchild was taken in the second round of the draft by the Reds.

The Reds took him with the second pick of the second round, No. 38 overall.

Fairchild, 21, finished his season hitting .360/.439/.636 with 17 home runs, 67 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 63 games for the Demon Deacons.

“He's a very talented center fielder,” said Chris Buckley, the Reds’ vice president of amateur scouting. “(He) has a chance to be a five-tool player, to be a complete player.”

Baseball America ranked Fairchild the No. 11 overall outfield prospect in the draft, noting he has the speed and instincts to stick in center field.

The draft continues Tuesday with rounds three through 10 and concludes Wednesday with rounds 11 through 40.

“We’ve got a good group,” Reds general manager Dick Williams said after Monday’s picks. “Now we’ve got to add a little pitching tomorrow, but we’re in good shape.”

25 years later, Reds draft a Jeter C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] Published 11:48 p.m. ET June 12, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

The Reds passed on Derek Jeter in the 1992 draft, but they didn’t pass on Florida high school shortstop Jeter Downs.

The Reds selected Downs, named after the Yankees legend, with their competitive balance pick, No. 32 overall. In 1992, the Reds took catcher Chad Mottola with the fifth overall pick and the Yankees took the future Hall of Famer with the next pick.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was 10 years old,” Downs said Monday night. “It has finally come and it still feels so surreal. I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m usually the one that has something to say when people come to me for help. Right now I can’t find the words.”

Even though Downs had been dreaming about this night since he was 10, his parents had been dreaming about it even longer.

“When I was born in ’98, and Jeter came up in ’96, when he came into the Major Leagues, he was the name. He was the thing,” Downs said. “He was shining. It was ‘Jeter this, Jeter that.’ It was actually my Mom’s idea. My brother got Jerry from my Dad. It was my Mom’s turn to pick a name since I was a second child. She just fell in love with Jeter and the way he played, his humbleness, how he carried himself on and off the field.”

The 5-foot-11 shortstop was ranked ninth in the country by Baseball America heading into the draft. In addition to an above-average arm, he has more power than expected for someone his size. He’d committed to the University of Miami.

“(He) is very advanced with his bat,” said Chris Buckley, the Reds vice president of amateur scouting. “Even though he's in a high school uniform, he's a little more like a college player. He's very, very advanced.”

Downs was born in Colombia and moved to the United States when he was five. His father, Jerry Downs, played baseball in Colombia but was never scouted. His older brother, Jerry Downs Jr., was drafted in the 15th round of the 2015 draft by the Red Sox. Jerry Jr., 23, is currently playing for low- Greenville in the .

“It's one of the main reasons why I wanted to play straight out of high school,” the younger Downs said. “I already knew what I was getting into because of my brother … I'm not going into this without any knowledge of how the minors leaguers are. I know it's a grind, I know it's going to be tough, I know I'm going to have my struggles. I just have to stay strong and battle through them.”

Notes: Fan vote validating for Reds shortstop Zack Cozart Zach Buchanan , [email protected] 8:40 p.m. ET June 12, 2017

SAN DIEGO – The All-Star Game can be more of a popularity contest sometimes than a recognition of the game’s best players, particular with the game’s starters determined by a fan vote. That can make it hard for a small market team like the Cincinnati Reds to garner the attention they believe their players deserve.

First baseman Joey Votto has no problem with that. The All-Star Game is a piece of entertainment, and to make his point Votto quotes one of the 21st century’s greatest entertainers of all.

“It’s like that Jay-Z line: ‘We don’t believe you. You need more people,’” Votto said. “If you want to be an All-Star, you better have a lot of people behind you.”

When Reds shortstop Zack Cozart checked the latest voting update Monday morning, he saw plenty of people at his back. A week ago he’d trailed Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager by about 60,000 votes, but had outpaced Seager by nearly 250,000 in the subsequent seven days to take over first place.

To both Cozart and Reds manager Bryan Price, that signifies not only that Reds fans have stuffed the online ballot boxes, but that Cozart is garnering national attention. He’s hit .329/.416/.580 through 62 games, and has the second-best WAR in the National League, according to the Baseball-Reference version of the stat.

“The fans alone in Cincy can’t put you over the top,” Cozart said. “To see some of the people outside our market voting, it’s pretty cool.”

Garrett set for Wednesday

Not only is left-hander Amir Garrett set to make his scheduled Wednesday against the San Diego Padres after injuring his hand his last time out, he was available to pitch out of the bullpen Sunday against the .

The Reds bullpen was rather wiped after a tough four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals and even more so when Garrett left in the second inning of Friday’s game in Los Angeles. Garrett held off from throwing his scheduled bullpen in case he was needed.

“We threw him toward the end of the game just to get his work in,” Price said. “After those first couple of games and the way the bullpen was used in the bulk of that St. Louis series, it was essential that he was down there.”

Zack Cozart surges to All-Star voting lead Zach Buchanan , [email protected] Published 1:49 p.m. ET June 12, 2017 | Updated 19 hours ago

SAN DIEGO – Corey Seager caused Cincinnati Reds fans plenty of distress over the weekend, but the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop didn't seem as threatening Monday when Major League Baseball released its latest voting totals for the National League All-Star team.

Seager no longer sat atop the list of NL shortstops. He'd been overtaken by Reds shortstop Zack Cozart, who trailed Seager by about 60,000 votes a week ago but now leads by almost 200,000.

Cozart, who sat third in the first voting update two weeks ago, has received 997,966 votes, the eighth-most of any NL player on the ballot. Seager has 804,788 in second place, and shortstop Addison Russell is third with 758,037.

Cozart has never made the All-Star team but is enjoying the best season of his career. Entering Monday, he was hitting .329/.416/.580. Seager has hit .279/.388/.473.

Cozart is joined on the voting update by two teammates. Adam Duvall, one of two Reds representatives in the game a year ago, is 10th among outfielders with 379,541 votes. It was his second week among the top 15 outfielders. Duvall is hitting .278 with a .866 OPS and 15 home runs.

Joey Votto made his debut on the voting update after being absent for the first two, coming in fifth among first basemen with 334,802 votes. (The leader, Ryan Zimmerman of the , has more than a million votes.) Votto is hitting .300 with a 1.023 OPS and is tied for the National League lead with 18 homers.

BAR: 2007 draft fruitful for Reds C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] Published 10:56 a.m. ET June 12, 2017 | Updated 23 hours ago

The Blog Above Replacement a daily look at the Reds, their minor leagues and whatever else is on the mind of Enquirer Reds beat writers, C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan. You can follow them on Twitter (@ctrent and @ZachENQ), Facebook (C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan) and Instagram (ENQReds).

Tonight is the Major League Baseball draft, a unique event in the professional landscape. As silly as post-draft grades are in football and basketball, they’re 100-times less useful in baseball.

Because of the way baseball talent is developed over years before being ready for the highest level, few, if any, of the players selected tonight in the first two rounds of the draft will make any impact for their team in the next couple of years.

Even five years down the line, things can be dicey when grading a draft. But hey, what’s the internet for if not for fruitless endeavors with little to no grounding in reality?

This article caught my eye recently — MLB.com’s Jim Callis redrafted the 2007 draft.

With a decade of hindsight, only six actual first rounders made the cut for the redone first round. In the real 2007 draft, the Reds took Pennsylvania catcher Devin Mesoraco at No. 15. In Callis’ redo, the Reds take Ole Miss shortstop Zack Cozart. The Reds took him in the second round that year, 79th overall. MLB.com’s redo also had Todd Frazier going No. 13 overall, instead of the 34th overall where the Reds took him.

I mentioned that to Chris Buckley, the Reds’ vice president for amateur scouting, who made those picks and will make the final calls in this week’s draft. All three of those picks — Mesoraco, Frazier and Cozart — has a similar trait, he said.

“What you see there is what you see is three great guys,” he said. “That’s part of our DNA, when we scout all these kids around the country, we’re big on the psychological profiles. They killed it.”

In 2008, the Reds took with the seventh overall pick. Only two of the players taken before Alonso have a better bWAR than he does at this point (7.9), (10.9) and (36.0). Other first-rounders with a better bWAR are Brett Lawrie (15.2), (12.8), (11.2), (10.9), (10.1), (8.6) and (8.2). was drafted by the Yankees in the first round, but went to UCLA instead of signing. Later- round picks include Charlie Blackmon (72 overall), Craig Kimbrel (96 overall) and (117).

The 2009 draft is best known for at the top and then, of course, going No. 25 overall, the pick that demonstrates just how difficult it is to scout the entire country — .

The Reds took , which in retrospect is a pretty good pick (with the caveat that we’re talking Mike freakin’ Trout). At the time, the Reds felt they were close to contending and wanted a starter that was close to the big leagues. While teams in baseball don’t draft on need because of the time needed, Leake was seen as a guy who could make the big leagues quickly. He did, appearing in a big-league game before ever appearing in a minor-league game. Among the first-round picks, his bWAR (15.9) is fourth, behind Trout (51.9), Strasburg (20.7) and A.J. Pollock (16.0).

Second-rounders that year included Nolan Arenado (59th overall), (63), DJ LeMahieu (79) and Billy Hamilton (57). Kyle Seager was taken in the third round (82nd overall) and Brandon Belt in the fifth round (147).

Catcher was the Reds’ pick at No. 12 in 2010, one pick before the White Sox took . went 23rd overall. Grandal’s 10.1 WAR is sixth best among first-round picks, behind Sale (33.7), (25.8), (24.2), Yelick (15.0) and (11.1). Andrelton Simmons went in the second round (70th overall) and has a 23.9 WAR. The Mets took Jacob DeGrom in the ninth round (272).

The Reds selected 27th in 2011 and took right-hander Robert Stephenson. The most notable names drafted after him in the first round of that draft are Jackie Bradley Jr. (40th overall), Michael Fulmer (44). While Jose Fernandez (14th) has the highest WAR among first-rounders that year, it’s going to be the eighth pick, Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor, that looks the best at this point (in part because of Fernandez’s tragic death last year).

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager went No. 18 overall in 2012, four spots after the Reds took right-hander Nick Travieso. The Reds also took (49th overall) and Jeff Gelalich (57th) with supplemental picks that year.

ICYMI

• didn’t have it on Sunday as the Reds fell to the Dodgers.

• Two-way players highlight the top of Monday night's draft.

• Right-hander Hunter Greene could be a generational talent, and he could be there for the Reds at No. 2 in tonight’s MLB draft.

• A scouting report from former Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd on the top three candidates for the top picks in tonight's draft.

MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Triple-A: Toledo 7, Louisville 2: Sal Romano gave up five runs on six hits and a walk in the first inning of his second start since returning from the disabled list. He allowed two runs on three hits in the next four innings, finishing with one walk and four strikeouts. 2B Dilson Herrera hit his fifth homer of the season. [Box]

Double-A: Pensacola 3, Mississippi 1: In his first rehab start, LHP Brandon Finnegan threw three scoreless, giving up a hit and a walk with a . He threw 35 pitches, 23 for strikes. RHP Jose Lopez followed with four no-hit innings, allowing an unearned run with two walks and three strikeouts. C Adrian Nieto was 2 for 3 with an RBI. [Box]

High-A: Palm Beach 9, Daytona 3: RHP Vladimir Gutierrez gave up six runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in four innings. SS Alfredo Rodriguez hit his first home run of the season and had three hits, increasing his batting average to .275. [Box]

Low-A: West Michigan 9, Dayton 2: LF Taylor Trammell went 3 for 4 with his eighth triple of the season. CF T.J. Friedl was 2 for 4. [Box]

THE ROTATION

1. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince did a nice oral history of the “Moneyball” draft of 2002. One of the most amazing parts of that draft — and it’s another example of what was pointed out before — is that the A’s, who at the time valued on-base percentage more than anyone, had seven picks before the Reds took Joey Votto at No. 44 overall (and behind Chris Gruler and Mark Schramek). Not that anyone — maybe other than Kasey McKeon — saw Votto becoming what he has become. But still.

I have a fantastic Votto draft story coming up in the next episode of Great American Dream, coming out next Monday. I know when Anthony came to Cincinnati to get Votto for that story I was worried he was going to get the story I’d been holding for a while, but he didn’t. It’s a good one — and one Votto said he hadn’t heard before.

2. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan on Shohei Otani.

3. The Washington Post’s Dave Sheinin on how the Astros had to lose to win.

4. The New York Times on the 25 best films of the 21st century. I obviously don't watch enough Chinese films.

5. R.I.P. .

In 1991, West did a pilot with and O’Brien called Lookwell. Thanks to the internets, we can all watch it. WCPO - Channel 9 Fay: In 17-year-old Hunter Greene, Reds have more than a great player -- they have a great person John Fay 7:29 PM, Jun 12, 2017 11:57 PM, Jun 12, 2017

CINCINNATI -- Reds general manager Dick Williams had a strange fear for a guy holding the second pick in the draft.

"I spent the last couple of months worrying that we weren't picking high enough to get him," Williams said. "I'm really thrilled that we able to get him at No. 2."

Williams was referring to Hunter Greene, the 17-year-old pitching, fielding, hitting phenom that the Reds, indeed, got with the second pick in the draft after the Minnesota Twins took outfielder/shortstop Royce Lewis with the first.

Greene, the Sherman Oaks, California kid, has skills that are well-documented. He throws 102 mph, he's a smooth shortstop, and he hits 450-foot homer runs.

"The reports I read are like no other reports I've seen in my limited time in baseball, making some historic comparisons," Williams said. "That's not my job."

Williams' job is to judge a player's makeup -- character, intelligence, drive.

"What I saw in Hunter is a belief in himself," Williams said. "This may sound a little corny on a call like this, but his awareness of his place in the world. I was stuck by the maturity you all have seen. He's understands that being able to play baseball at this level is a gift. It's not something to be taken for granted. I was incredibly impressed by how he's leveraged that gift to share happiness with other people.

"He's going to be a tremendous baseball player, and he's going to be a tremendous person."

You often get this kind of happy talk right after a team has drafted a player, but, in this case, I'd have to agree with Williams.

Greene was as impressive as a 17-year-old could possibly be on this conference call with the Cincinnati media. He said all the right things. He showed that self-awareness when talking about his place in the game, his role as a big brother and the opportunity he's been given.

If being on the cover of Sports Illustrated inflated his ego, Greene did masterful job of hiding it. He credits his parents for the poise and polish.

"Definitely my parents teaching me at a young age just be level-headed no matter how much success I deal with or how much failure I go through," he said. "It's being the same person throughout the whole process," he said. "I think it's really helped with baseball. It's a failing sport. Going through ups and downs is part of the process and will be part of my career as well -- just being able to see the brighter side and knowing that I'm going to come out strong and on top. That's the great thing about baseball: There's always another day to succeed and do well. So I really look forward to doing that, and just being the same person throughout the process has really helped."

Greene was the best player in baseball-rich California by the time he was 15, but he had already been through a life-changing experience at that point. When he was 11, he spent most of two years sharing a hospital room with his sister, Libriti, while she battled leukemia.

"It was just a really difficult process to go through," Greene said. "I mean, lots of people go through it, and fortunately we were blessed. She's still with us, and she's doing really well. She's happy, and she gave me a great big hug after my name was announced. Just being there for her, being there when she was getting shots or getting her medicine and being supportive and being the best brother I could be at that point was something that was really important to myself and my family."

Baseball is also important to the Greenes. Greene grew up in suburban Sherman Oaks, but he was enrolled at the Urban Baseball Academy in Compton at 7.

"That just builds a great foundation and allowed me to become a major-league citizen, which is something a lot of young kids and athletes need to really take advantage of and have a great time doing," Greene said. "It's something I really want to help out. Anything I can do, go to ball clubs and go to little leagues and just talk to them and inspire them to be the greatest they can be is something I'd love to do."

Greene, again, says all the right things. However, you get a different side when he talks about his baseball persona.

"On the mound, I consider myself a monster," Greene said. "I'm a different person than off the baseball field. I pound the zone, I get ahead. I stare guys in the eyes. I just like the whole competitive edge and really competing the best that I can. At shortstop, showing my range and having smooth hands and footwork and firing across the diamond. Then hitting, just having good pitch selection and crushing balls and helping out the team at the plate, too. That's me."

The Reds, by the way, see Greene as a pitcher.

"I will say we think the elite talent is there both ways, but pitching will be the first focus, this summer in particular," Williams said. "We want to make sure he builds up some more innings and that will be the focus. While he's in process of building up innings, I think he can get at-bats. I don't think it's realistic to ask him to play the field, get at-bats and try to pitch, all this summer. We won't do that."

Greene, who committed to UCLA, has to sign with the Reds before he can start playing. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, signing have become almost routine.

"I am optimistic," Williams said. "I hope we get it done quickly."

Greene is leaving that to his representatives.

"I am excited to get out there," he said. "Obviously, I'm just a ball player and focusing on baseball. The whole negotiation part and signing and everything, I'm not a part of it. I am just excited to go out there as soon as possible, be able to meet the staff and the players and get the ball rolling and start something special."

The Reds certainly think Greene is something special. That's why Williams was worried about having to sweat out one pick before getting a chance to choose Greene. DAYTON DAILY NEWS Reds’ Gennett honored by National League Jay Morrison Staff Writer 2:48 p.m Monday, June 12, 2017

Buoyed by his historic four-homer game, Cincinnati Reds Scooter Gennett has been named the National League Player of the Week.

It’s the first career NL Player of the Week award for Gennett, who on Tuesday became the first Reds player — and 17th in MLB history — to hit four home runs in a game.

For the week, Gennett batted .500 (10 for 20) with six runs scored, two doubles, four home runs, 13 RBIs and a .

Among NL weekly leaders, Gennett finished the week first in total bases (24), slugging percentage (1.200) and RBIs; tied for first in batting average and home runs; tied for second in extra-base hits (six); tied for fifth in hits; and sixth in on-base percentage (.500).

The Lebanon native becomes the first Reds player to win the weekly award since Todd Frazier on May 31, 2015.

Reds starter Homer Bailey to make rehab start in Dayton John Boyle Staff Writer 2:48 p.m Monday, June 12, 2017

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey will make a rehab start for the against Great Lakes on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field.

Bailey, who has been on the disabled list all season after elbow surgery in February, was impressive in a rehab start last week for Pensacola, the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. He pitched five shutout innings and allowed just three hits vs. the Mississippi Braves. Bailey is expected to pitch five innings or about 80 pitches Wednesday.

Bailey, 31, has struggled with injuries the past few seasons. Since August 2014, he has been limited to just eight starts. Bailey is 60- 54 with a 4.24 ERA in 10 seasons with the Reds. ESPN.COM Cuban shortstop Jose Garcia to get $5 million bonus from Reds 7:45 PM ET Associated Press

CINCINNATI -- Cuban shortstop Jose Israel Garcia will receive a $5 million signing bonus as part of his minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

As part of the agreement announced Saturday with the 19-year-old, the Reds will pay Garcia $1.5 million when the agreement is approved by the commissioner's office and $3.5 million by Nov. 15, payments contingent on his obtaining a U.S. work visa.

Because the Reds already were over their international signing bonus pool of $5,223,400, they also will pay a 100 percent tax on the $5 million. The signing raised the Reds' taxable international bonuses to $17,665,000, resulting in a tax of $12,441,600.

Garcia will report to the Reds' Dominican Summer League team.

In the international signing period that opens July 2, Cincinnati's bonuses will be capped at $5.25 million, not including bonuses of $10,000 or less, as part of baseball's new labor contract. In addition, as a penalty for their total this year, the Reds may not give an international amateur a signing bonus of more than $300,000 for the next two signing periods. TRANSACTIONS 06/12/17 St. Louis Cardinals optioned 3B Paul DeJong to Memphis Redbirds. San Diego Padres released RHP Jake Esch. activated RHP from the 10-day disabled list. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Phil Gosselin to . optioned RHP Logan Verrett to Norfolk Tides. Baltimore Orioles recalled RHP Miguel Castro from Bowie Baysox. optioned RHP Emilio Pagan to Tacoma Rainiers. Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Casey Lawrence from Tacoma Rainiers. Washington Nationals optioned SS Wilmer Difo to Syracuse Chiefs. Washington Nationals recalled RHP Trevor Gott from Syracuse Chiefs. Houston Astros placed RHP Lance McCullers Jr. on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to June 9, 2017. Lower back discomfort. Houston Astros activated RHP Joe Musgrove from the 10-day disabled list. Minnesota Twins signed free agent 1B Andy Wilkins to a minor league contract. Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Chris Heston to Rochester Red Wings. Minnesota Twins activated SS Jorge Polanco from the bereavement list. sent LF Shane Robinson outright to Salt Lake Bees. recalled RHP Ben Heller from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. New York Yankees optioned RHP Domingo German to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.