Dragons 2018 Preview: Part 3--Second Basemen
Minor League spring training camp in Goodyear, Arizona is at full throttle. The Reds minor league player roster includes 160 names. There are another 62 players in Reds big league camp. That is 222 players battling for a total of 123 Opening Day roster positions in Cincinnati and their four
Minor League spring training camp in Goodyear, Arizona is at full throttle. The Reds minor league player roster includes 160 names. There are another 62 players in Reds big league camp. That is 222 players battling for a total of 123 Opening Day roster positions in Cincinnati and their four full-season affiliates, Dayton, Daytona, Pensacola, and Louisville.
Spring training games for the Reds minor league clubs will start on March 15. The final spring game in Arizona is scheduled for March 30. The Dragons open the Midwest League season on Thursday, April 5th in Bowling Green, Kentucky against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Dragons home opener is Saturday, April 7 when they host Bowling Green at Fifth Third Field at 7:00 p.m. Single-game ticket sales for 2018 Dragons games will begin on Wednesday, March 14.
The Second Basemen
This is part three of an eight-part series previewing the 2018 Dragons. Players listed here are candidates for positions on the 25-man Dragons season-opening roster.
This preview is an unofficial projection of possible roster candidates. Minor League rosters are not established until April 2. Spring training variables including performance, injuries, trades, and additional player acquisitions will impact the roster accordingly.
Click links on each name for career stats and player information.
Candidates: Jose Garcia, Alejo Lopez.
Jose Garcia is a premium prospect in the Reds organization, but he is somewhat of a mystery man because relatively few people have ever seen him play. Garcia was signed by the Reds as a high-profile international free agent last summer after he left the Cuban national team. He has never appeared in a professional game in the United States and his exposure to scouts in amateur games outside of Cuba is limited.
You could say that the Reds experience in signing Cuban players might be low on quantity but very high on quality. In the last 10 years, they have signed five high-profile Cuban players. The first one was the biggest hit of the bunch, Aroldis Chapman, who might be the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball history. Chapman, who started two games for the Dragons in 2014 on an injury rehab assignment, was an all-star for four consecutive years with the Reds. The second high-profile Cuban signing has also been a huge success for the Reds in reliever Raisel Iglesias, who has emerged as one of the top closers in the National League. The third and fourth players in this group are still in the Minor Leagues. Starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez and shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez both played at Single-A Daytona in 2017. Jose Garcia is the fifth of the group and is expected to play for the Dragons in 2018 (there have been at least two other Cuban players signed by the Reds in outfielders Felix Perez and Reydel Medina, but their signing bonus numbers would not compare with these five).
Garcia is listed by the Reds as a second baseman, but he could get a chance to play shortstop. The 2018 Dragons roster is also expected to feature shortstop Jeter Downs, a supplemental first round draft pick in 2017, so either Downs or Garcia will play second base if both end up in Dayton on opening day.
The 2018 Baseball America Prospect Handbook ranks Downs as the #11 prospect in the Reds organization with Garcia right behind him at #12. They are listed as the third and fourth best infield prospects in the Reds system, behind Nick Senzel and Shed Long. MLB.com ranks Downs as the #8 prospect in the Reds system with Garcia listed at #13. To underline the earlier comment in this report about Garcia being a mystery man, when you look at the photos of the Reds top 30 prospects at MLB.com, you see 29 players with action shot photos while the photo of Garcia shows him wearing a dress shirt and a Reds cap (see the group here). No game photo of Garcia is available.
According to Baseball America, Garcia was scouted by the Reds for multiple years while he played for the Cuban national team. They credit his "athleticism…energy, and enthusiasm as well as his smooth movements in the field, with the arm, range, and feet to play shortstop." Garcia will be 20 years old this season. He is taller than a typical middle infielder at 6'2".
Alejo Lopez is quality second option at second base. He has a .296 career batting average over three years in the Reds organization and hit .300 as the starting second baseman at Billings last season. Lopez grew up in Mexico, moved to Canada to start high school, and spent has last two years as a prep star in Phoenix, Arizona. Lopez was a student for two years at the baseball school owned by former Dragons pitching coach Derrin Ebert, AZ PROspects, before Lopez was drafted by the Reds in 2015. He had committed to the Arizona State University before signing to play professionally.
Lopez was a star at Greenway High School in Phoenix, earning First Team All-State recognition as a senior in 2015. After being drafted, he was assigned to the Goodyear Reds in the Arizona League and batted .419 in just 12 games. In 2016, he played at Billings and hit .273 with more walks than strikeouts and 11 stolen bases in 57 games. He returned to Billings in 2017 and showed improvement, batting .300 with a .455 slugging percentage in 67 games. He increased his extra base hits total from eight in 2016 to 20 in 2017 with the same club. He again stole 11 bases and again had more walks than strikeouts (he was the third hardest player to strikeout in the Pioneer League). He appeared in 47 games at second base, 17 at third base, and two at shortstop. Lopez certainly looks like a player with the ability to move up to the Midwest League as a starter in Dayton, but if both Downs and Garcia are in the picture here, Lopez may fill a utility role.
Next up: Shortstops
For Dragons 2018 season ticket information, call (937) 228-2287.
###
Loons Edge Dragons 3-2 in Series Opener in Dayton Tuesday
Great Lakes 3, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score Great Lakes (R-H-E): 3-10-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-3-1 Win: Roque Gutierrez (1-0); Loss: Nestor Lorant (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: John Michael Faile (4th, 0 on base in fifth inning). HR: Great Lakes: None Dayton, Ohio—Great Lakes reliever Roque Gutierrez
Penn Station to Announce Local Athlete of the Year During May 8 Dragons Game
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will announce the Penn Station Athlete of the Year during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Thursday, May 8 against the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. First pitch is scheduled for
Learning a New Way & Taking Charge: 12-Year-Old Navigates Type I Diabetes
DAYTON, Ohio -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 12-year-old Riley during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 7, at 7:05 pm, when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark in
Three Dayton Pitchers Combine for 2-0 Shutout Win at Fort Wayne Sunday
Dragons 2, Fort Wayne 0 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 2-8-0; Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 0-8-1 Win: Gabriel Aguilera (1-2); Loss: Eric Yost (0-3); Save: Easton Sikorski (3) HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: None Fort Wayne, Ind.—Dayton pitchers Gabriel Aguilera, Joseph Menefee, and Easton Sikorski combined for
Dayton Dragons Homestand Preview presented by AES Ohio (Games May 6-11 at Day Air Ballpark)
The Dayton Dragons open a six-game homestand vs. the Great Lakes Loons on Tuesday, May 6. View the entire Homestand Preview, presented by AES Ohio, here:
Dragons Shutout in Fort Wayne on Saturday, 2-0
Fort Wayne 2, Dragons 0 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 2-6-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 0-1-0 Win: Isaiah Lowe (1-2); Loss: Adam Serwinowski (0-2); Save: Harry Gustin (2) HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Jacob Campbell (1st, 1 on base in fourth inning). Fort Wayne, Ind.—Fort Wayne pitchers
Fort Wayne Tops Dragons in Pitcher's Duel, 2-1 on Friday
Fort Wayne 2, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 2-7-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-4-0 Win: Enmanuel Pinales (3-0); Loss: Jimmy Romano (1-1); Save: Tyson Neighbors (2) HR: Dayton: None; HR: Fort Wayne: Rosman Verdugo (6th, 0 on base in fourth inning). Fort Wayne, Ind.—Fort Wayne pitchers
Fort Wayne Scores 3 Runs in 8th to Top Dragons, 8-6
Fort Wayne 8, Dragons 6 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 8-10-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 6-10-1 Win: Garrett Hawkins (4-1); Loss: Brody Jessee (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: Leo Balcazar (3rd, 0 on base in fourth inning). HR: Fort Wayne: Ethan Long (1st, 0 on base in second
Dragons Meet the Team Event at Day Air Ballpark Set for Saturday, June 7
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will host the first of three fan events in 2025 at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District with the annual “Meet the Team” session on Saturday, June 7 beginning at 10:00 am. Gates will open at 10:00 am sharp.
Water Street District to Host Party at the Plaza on Friday, May 9
DAYTON, Ohio -- Water Street District’s Party at the Plaza is back for more fun and excitement at Day Air Ballpark with the first of three events in 2025 prior to the Dragons game on Friday, May 9 against the Great Lakes Loons. The event, which begins at 5:30 pm,
Faile Keeps Hitting but Dragons Fall in Fort Wayne, 8-3
Fort Wayne 8, Dragons 3 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 8-6-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 3-3-4 Win: Josh Malitz (1-1); Loss: Jose Montero (2-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Rosman Verdugo (5th, 0 on base in second inning). Fort Wayne, Ind.—Fort Wayne’s Leo De Vries
Fort Wayne Erases Early 4-0 Deficit to Defeat Dragons 12-6 in Series Opener Tuesday
Fort Wayne 12, Dragons 6 Click here for the box score Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 12-13-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 6-10-2 Win: Tyler Morgan (2-0); Loss: Jonah Hurney (1-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Fort Wayne: Leo De Vries (4th, 1 on base in second inning). Fort Wayne, Ind.—The Fort Wayne TinCaps
Montgomery County and Dayton Dragons are Recycling Right with Recycling Bin Initiative (RBI) presented by Montgomery County Environmental Services
DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Montgomery County Environmental Services are teaming up for another season of the Recycling Bin Initiative (RBI) Program. This free, fun, and educational program is for kids and families to learn about household recycling and how recycling benefits the economy and environment. Just as
Whitecaps Score 6 in 8th to Break 3-3 Tie, Top Dragons on Sunday
West Michigan 9, Dragons 3 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 9-13-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 3-9-1 Win: Carlos Lequerica (3-0); Loss: Cody Adcock (0-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: Seth Stephenson (2nd, 0 on base in first inning). Dayton, Ohio—The West Michigan Whitecaps broke a
Burns Leads Dragons to Walk-Off 10-Inning Win on Saturday
Dragons 5, West Michigan 4 (10 innings) Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 5-4-0; West Michigan (R-H-E): 4-4-0 Win: Graham Osman (2-0); Loss: Marco Jimenez (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: Connor Burns (1st, 2 on base in fifth inning). HR: West Michigan: Josue Briceno (5th, 2 on base
Whitecaps Top Dragons 10-2 on Friday
West Michigan 10, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 10-12-3; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-9-1 Win: Colin Fields (3-0); Loss: Brian Edgington (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: Andrew Jenkins (3rd, 0 on base in second inning). Dayton, Ohio—West Michigan’s Andrew Jenkins belted a
Dayton Flyers & Wright State Raiders to Meet at Day Air Ballpark on Tuesday, April 29
DAYTON, OHIO – The University of Dayton Flyers and the Wright State Raiders will meet at the home of the Dayton Dragons, Day Air Ballpark, on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. This will mark the fifth straight year that the Flyers have played
Dragons High School Baseball Showcase Continues Wednesday at Day Air Ballpark
DAYTON, Ohio -- For the 20th year, the Dayton Dragons and Day Air Ballpark are proud to host high school baseball games. Thirty-four teams from across the Miami Valley are competing in the heart of the Water Street District this spring. This year’s Dragons High School Baseball Showcase is presented
Dragons Pitchers Combine on 3-Hit Shutout, Faile Blasts another Home Run in 2-0 Dayton Win
Dragons 2, West Michigan 0 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 2-7-0; West Michigan (R-H-E): 0-3-0 Win: Jonah Hurney (1-1); Loss: Haden Erbe (0-1); Save: Brody Jessee (1) HR: Dayton: John Michael Faile (3rd, 0 on base in sixth inning). HR: West Michigan: None Dayton, Ohio—Three Dayton pitchers
Dragons to Recognize Academic All-Star Hailey Duncan on April 26
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons Academic All-Star program presented by Edison State Community College will recognize Hailey Duncan as an Academic All-Star during pregame festivities of the Dragons game on Saturday, April 26 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark located in the heart of the Water
Dragons Get Home Runs from Confidan and Faile in 5-2 Win over West Michigan
Dragons 5, West Michigan 2 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 5-7-1; West Michigan (R-H-E): 2-7-0 Win: Jose Montero (2-0); Loss: Kenny Serwa (0-1); Save: Easton Sikorski (2) HR: Dayton: Yerlin Confidan (3rd, 0 on base in second inning); John Michael Faile (2nd, 0 on base in fourth
Dragons Veteran Salute Program, presented by CareSource Military & Veterans, honors Ovidio Pugnale on April 27
DAYTON, OHIO - CareSource Military & Veterans and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Air Force veteran Ovidio Pugnale during the Dragons Veteran Salute Program presented by CareSource Military & Veterans on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 1:05PM when the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at
Dragons Hometown Heroes Program Recognizes April as the Month of the Military Child
DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons will honor children of military families from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as “Hometown Heroes” during the game on Friday, April 25 as they take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will
Whitecaps Top Dragons 10-0 in Series Opener
West Michigan 10, Dragons 0 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 10-14-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 0-3-1 Win: Joe Miller (1-0); Loss: Wade Miley (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: Brett Callahan (4th, 0 on base in third inning); Josue Briceno (4th, 2 on base in
Dragons Announce Promotion of Chase Burns to Double-A; Wade Miley to Start for Dragons Tonight on Rehab Assignment
The Dayton Dragons, in conjunction with the Cincinnati Reds, announced the following roster changes today: Right-handed pitcher Chase Burns has been promoted from Dayton to Double-A Chattanooga. Left-handed pitcher Wade Miley has been added to the roster on a Minor League injury rehab assignment. Miley is currently on the Louisville