Minor League news

This is from the Cincinnati Enquirer

Director of player development Johnny Almaraz mentioned two possibilities at Double-A: left-handers Phil Dumatrait and John Coutlangus. Dumatrait, 23, is 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA as a starter. He throws 93-98 mph with a good curveball. Coutlangus, 26, throws in the 88-91 range. But his cut fastball makes him effective against lefties and righties. He's 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA.

Krivsky was in Chattanooga this weekend.

Dumatrait doesm't throw 93-98, he throws 91-94. I think Dumatrait has the potential to be a #4-5 starter in his career, but coming out of the bullpen would not be a bad idea. He has two good pitches that would really help him out of jams he came in to. There are quite a few arms in Chattanooga that are possibilities for making the jump to helping the big league bullpen. Hopefully something happens soon, the Reds bullpen is awful outside of Coffey, Weathers and Mercker. Belisle isn't bad either, btu he is the long guy so you dont see him but once or twice a week.

This piece is on Milton Loo from Baseball America

How's Yavapai (Ariz.) JC third baseman/shortstop Milton Loo doing this spring? The Reds still control him, and I'm wondering if they're trying to sign him before the June draft.

Pat Wachs
Ithaca, N.Y.
A ninth-round pick by Cincinnati in the 2005 draft, Loo can sign with the Reds between the time his season ends at Yavapai and May 29. When John Manuel was covering the West for our Draft Preview, Loo intrigued him more than any other player. Here's what John wrote:

Loo was the first prep player picked out of Hawaii in 2004, and he has been the best prospect in Arizona’s wood-bat junior-college conference the last two seasons. He led Yavapai to a 49-10 record and No. 2 national ranking into early May, though he wasn’t the team’s best player statistically.

Loo, whose native island of Molokai is so small and rural that it has no stoplights, entices scouts with five-tool potential. Though his present power remains below average, his ability to cover the plate, make consistent, hard contact and repeat his short stroke make hitting his best tool. His raw power could profile him for third base. He moved to that position at Yavapai, but scouts agree he could play short or any other infield position as a pro thanks to above-average arm strength, excellent athleticism, good range and solid infield actions. After a rough start, he became an above-average defender at third in a short time this season.

If Loo’s effort and performance were more consistent, he’d rank among the top position players available. He’s a plus runner and solid baserunner, but he doesn’t run out ground balls as often as scouts want to see. After being bothered by a strained thumb and gimpy ankle in 2005, Loo missed time late in the 2006 season when his elbow flared up. It was diagnosed as nerve irritation and he returned to DH in the postseason. Loo’s durability will factor into whether or not the Reds—who offered him a reported bonus of more than $200,000 last summer—make another enthusiastic run at Loo.

It would be real good for the Reds if they were to sign Milton Loo before this years draft took place. I believe they have until 1 week before the draft to sign him to a contract. The Reds have drafted Loo the last two seasons, so it is very obvious that they really like him. I for one am hoping they can get him signed and into the system fast. The infield depth, or lack of in the farm system is troubling and he would help it a ton.