Two Louisville Bats to Participate in Futures Game
Chip Sobel
- Professional Journalist
Two Louisville Bats, three Cincinnati farmhands total, have been tabbed to represent the Reds at the 2015 MLB All-Star Futures Game. The game is to be played at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark on Sunday, July 12, part of MLB's 2015 All-Star Summer Events.
Outfileders Yorman Rodriguez and Kyle Waldrop, along with Daytona Tortugas left hand pitcher Amir Garrett will be a part of Major League Baseball's annual exhibition that showcases many of the game’s best prospects. Rodriguez, 22, a native of Ocumare de la Costa, Venezuela, will play for the World team. He is the Bats’ active team leader in runs (36), hits (67), doubles (12), triples (3), home runs (7), total bases(106), and is batting .325 since May 25.
Waldrop, promoted just this week to the Bats, will be one of six outfielders on the U.S. Team. This season with Pensacola, he hit .277 (67-for-242) with 13 doubles, 3 triples and 6 home runs. The 12th-best Reds prospect according to MLB Pipeline, he was also named a Southern League All-Star this season. He went 1-for-4 in the Southern League All-Star game and also competed in the Southern League Home Run Derby.
Garrett will be one of 10 pitchers representing the U.S. Team. This season with Daytona, Garrett is 2-5, but owns a 3.22 ERA and has struck out a team-high 72 batters (third-most in Florida State League).
Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Billy Hamilton, Devin Mesoraco, Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto are current Reds who have appeared in previous Futures Games