Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings October 14, 2018 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1975-In Game 3 of the World Series, the Reds hit three home runs against the Red Sox, a postseason club record which is only matched in 1995 MLB.COM Rays coach Baldelli interviewed for manager By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon 11 minutes ago CINCINNATI -- Rays coach Rocco Baldelli was the 12th candidate to interview for the vacant Reds managerial position when he met with the club this past week, a source told MLB.com on Sunday. Baldelli, 37, is currently Tampa Bay's Major League field coordinator under manager Kevin Cash after he spent 2015-17 as that teams' first-base coach. From 2011-14, he was a Rays baseball operations special assistant, a position he took after retiring as a player following seven seasons as an outfielder in the big leagues. In the 2000 MLB Draft, Baldelli was the sixth overall pick by the Rays. The Reds began interviews with managerial candidates last month and have a long list of choices. Also interviewed were interim manager Jim Riggleman, former Red Sox manager John Farrell, former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Giants vice president of player development David Bell, former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens, Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo, Pirates bench coach Tom Prince and Reds coaches Pat Kelly, Billy Hatcher and Freddie Benavides. Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams told MLB.com last week that he expected a second round of interviews with some of the candidates this week. Williams only noted that the list of contenders would be "cut down a lot" from the current total. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Cincinnati Reds interview Tampa Bay Rays coach Rocco Baldelli for manager Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 10:43 a.m. ET Oct. 14, 2018 Two weeks after the season ended, the Reds interviewed at least their 12th candidate for manager when they met with Rocco Baldelli this week, according to club sources. Baldelli, 37, spent three seasons as the Rays’ first-base coach before he served as a Major League field coordinator this year, a newly created position. He worked with outfielders and focused on player development. A first-round pick in the 2000 MLB Draft, Baldelli played for seven seasons in the big leagues. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in '03 but dealt with injuries throughout his career. When he retired, he became a special assistant for baseball operations for the Rays. Baldelli was the youngest Major League coach in Rays history when he became a first-base coach in 2014 at 34. Billy Hatcher, the Reds’ third-base coach who also interviewed for manager, had the previous record for the youngest coach on Tampa Bay's big- league staff when he joined the Rays in 1998. Baldelli reportedly has received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins managerial openings. The Reds have interviewed seven candidates outside of their organization: Baldelli, Joe Girardi, Brad Ausmus, David Bell, Charlie Montoyo, Hensley Meulens and Tom Prince. Montoyo is the Rays’ bench coach. There were five internal candidates to receive interviews at the end of the season: interim manager Jim Riggleman, scout John Farrell, Hatcher, interim bench coach Pat Kelly and first-base coach Freddie Benavides. Dick Williams, the Reds' president of baseball operations, previously said the team hopes to select a manager before the end of October. Jonathan India, the Cincinnati Reds' 1st-round pick, learns from first minor league season Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 5:46 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2018 | Updated 5:52 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2018 GOODYEAR, Arizona – With only a couple of days remaining in the instructional league, Jonathan India made sure that he would enter his offseason on a high note. Facing various minor league pitchers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, India nearly hit for the cycle. He hit an opposite- field double to right field in his first at-bat. He followed with an infield single, then smacked a pitch over the wall in left field. In a quiet atmosphere with no fans, his teammates cheered from the dugout as he crossed home plate on his home run, "Attaboy, Jonny!" Players report to the instructional league to work with coaches and shore up some weaknesses before they are off on their own in the winter months. It was the finish line on a long season for India, who starred at the University of Florida and helped his school to the College World Series. The No. 5 pick in the MLB Draft, India played for three of the Reds’ minor league teams, playing his last 27 games at Class-A Dayton. “I just had to find it in me to keep going,” India said. “I struggled a little bit, but it wasn’t because I was tired at all. Just mentally trying to figure it out. This is my first year in the minors, trying to figure stuff out.” Bobby Nightengale ✔ @nightengalejr Jonathan India, the #Reds’ 1st round pick this year, doubles to RF in an instructional league game. He crushed a HR to LF a few innings later. 8:19 PM - Oct 11, 2018 In 44 minor league games, which includes games at rookie-level Greeneville and Billings, the 21-year-old India hit .240 with six homers and 23 RBI. He owned a .380 on-base percentage, drawing 28 walks compared to 44 strikeouts. They weren’t the eye-popping numbers he produced in his junior season at Florida, batting .350 with a .497 on-base percentage and 21 homers. He earned SEC Player of the Year honors and was known as one of the most advanced college hitters in the draft. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound India believes he can use his minor league season as clear motivation for next year. He’s ranked as the No. 51 prospect by MLB.com, No. 4 in the Reds’ system. “They weren’t great (numbers),” India said. “That’s not who I am. But it’s a learning process. It was my first year and I struggled. Nothing to worry about. I’ll have a good year next year.” During the instructional league, India was making small adjustments with his swing in his last few days in Arizona. The right- handed hitter received instruction from Barry Larkin, Eric Davis and other coaches after batting practice sessions. “Just tweaking stuff with my swing a little bit,” India said. “Getting a little bit more reps. Infield-wise, I was working at short a lot. Just finding my footwork.” India primarily played third base during his two months in the minor leagues, though he made a few appearances at shortstop. Despite some offensive struggles during his first season, India was confident it would help him heading into next year. “I experienced some adversity,” India said. “That’s good to have. Coming into a new team and everything, it’s good to battle that stuff.” .