The Cincinnati Reds are quietly putting together a very nice Spring Training record in the Cactus League. The Reds have a 14-12 record while playing in Goodyear, Arizona. Cincinnati had a breakout season in 2010 as they finished 91-71 and won the National League Central for the 1st time since 1995. The Reds have a great combination of veteran position players and talented young pitchers that should equate to another successful MLB season.
The Reds currently have two former NWL Alumni on their 40-man roster and also have two non-roster invites participating with the Major League team this spring. Daniel Ray Herrera and Sam LeCure are pitchers on the 40-man roster while Chris Denove and Dave Sappelt are non-roster invite position players.
Daniel Ray Herrera played in the NWL for the La Crosse Loggers in the summer of 2005 and has quickly become a fan favorite in Cincinnati. The 5’6’’ left handed pitcher was drafted by the Rangers in the 45th round of the 2006 MLB Draft after attending the University of New Mexico. Herrera has a career 5-7 Major League record in 92.0 innings pitched.
Herrera is competing for a bullpen spot with the Reds this spring as a situational lefty or mid-relief pitcher. Herrera has pitched 7.0 innings this spring and is sporting a 3.86 earned run average in six appearances.
Also competing for innings in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen is former Brainerd pitcher Sam LeCure. LeCure logged 48.0 innings in 2010 with the Reds and is currently listed as one of the top right handed relief pitchers for Cincinnati. The former University of Texas pitcher was selected in the 4th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. LeCure has 10.0 innings pitched this spring with a 4.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Chris Denove and Dave Sappelt are both non-roster invites and have seen limited action this Spring Training. Denove, a former St. Cloud River Bat catcher, only has two at-bats this spring is expected to start the season in Triple-A with the Louisville Bats of the International League. Denove was a 32nd round pick in 2005 after his career at UCLA.
Sappelt, a 2007 Battle Creek Bomber, is making a case that he should be the Reds 4th outfielder. Sappelt has been on fire this Spring Training as he is hitting .553 in 39 at-bats with 12 RBI’s. The former Coastal Carolina outfielder was drafted by the Reds in the 9th round in 2008.
See how these four former NWL players finish up Spring Training in 2011 with the Reds in Goodyear, Arizona.
