The Cincinnati Reds issued this release:

             CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the acquisition of RHP Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres in exchange for IF/OF Yonder Alonso, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Yasmani Grandal and RHP Edinson Volquez.

             Latos, 23, last season for the Padres went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts and a career-high 194.1 innings. He ranked among the National League leaders in ERA (18th), strikeouts (14th, 185 in 194.1ip), opponents’ batting average (9th, .233) and strikeouts per 9 innings ratio (9th, 8.57). In his last 17 starts of the season, Latos posted a 2.94 ERA and held opposing righthanded batters to a .156 average, the best mark in the Major Leagues over that span.

             “Mat is a big, strong young pitcher with electric stuff,” Jocketty said of the 6-6, 224-pound righthander. “We consider him to be a potential number one starter who, contractually, we have under control for four more years. To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent.”

            In 2011, Latos ranked sixth in the National League and T12th in the majors by holding righthanded batters to a .204 average. In his 31 appearances he made 20 quality starts, tied for the lead on the Padres’ staff and just 1 shy of his career high. Three times Latos was the starting pitcher when the Padres snapped what at the time were season-long losing streaks.

            In 72 Major League appearances, all starts, Latos has produced a 3.37 career ERA. In 2010, he tied a Major League record by allowing 2 runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts.

             Volquez (20gs, 5-7, 5.71) and Alonso (47g, .330, 5hr, 13rbi) played for the Reds last season. Boxberger (55g, 2-4-11, 2.03) pitched at Class AAA Louisville and Class AA Carolina, while Grandal (105g, .305, 14hr, 68rbi) played at Class A Bakersfield, Carolina and Louisville. Volquez is eligible for arbitration for the second time.

December 5, 2011 – Southern League (SL) Pensacola Blue Wahoos
(Pensacola, Florida) – Ending a blogospheric whirlwind of speculation and anonymously sourced reports, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos today confirmed that Jim Riggleman will be managing the Double-A franchise of the Cincinnati Reds in Pensacola.

Riggleman, a well-seasoned Major League operative, has worked with several Major League clubs including the Padres, Cubs, Mariners, Giants, and Cardinals. Most recently, Riggleman was manager of the Washington Nationals.

Riggleman stated that he was looking forward to working with the Blue Wahoos and being a part of the Reds organization in Pensacola.

“I’m exited about this opportunity to work with the Cincinnati Reds organization and be a part of Pensacola’s venture into a Major League Baseball franchise,” said Riggleman. “Working and playing at the Double-A level has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my baseball career so far. It’s a tremendous environment to work and play in, because these players have tremendous talent. having already worked their way into a Major League Franchise. But each organization has two or even three Single-A teams, and that talent is funneled up to the Double-A level. These guys can see the big leagues from here. They are hungry to win, hungry to prove themselves. I think it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the Blue Wahoos fans, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer said he was excited about RIggleman coming to Pensacola. “Jim is going to be a tremendous asset to the Blue Wahoo club, and I’m excited about the wealth of leadership he brings to the team,” said Studer. “This is another milestone in this long journey to bringing a Major League franchise to Pensacola, and I’m thrilled to have Jim’s talent and experience, as well as the entire Reds organization, be a part of that.”

Bruce Baldwin, president of the Blue Wahoos, echoed Studer’s sentiments. “I’ve known Jim Riggleman for a long time, and I can tell you he’s one of the good guys,” said Baldwin. “He’s a professional, he sets high expectations, and he knows how to get the most out of the guys on the field. It’s a real testament to the Blue Wahoos and the Reds organization as a whole for us to get a talent like Jim.”

Baldwin said that details were still being worked out with Riggleman, but that he was anticipating his arrival after the first of the year. Baldwin also noted that Riggleman and other executives from the Cincinnati Reds would be visiting later this week as part of a farm team tour of the Blue Wahoos organization.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -

Three-time All-Star Sean Casey, Big Red Machine infielder Dan Driessen and 19th century first baseman John Reilly will be the next three players inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Casey was selected by the fans through the Modern Player Ballot presented by Cincyfavorites.com. The Veterans Committee selected Driessen and Reilly to make up the Reds Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The trio will be honored June 22-24 during Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which will include on-field ceremonies at Great American Ball Park, the star-studded Hall of Fame Induction Gala and a variety of festivities at the Hall, including meet and greets with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni.

One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career.

A versatile infielder of the Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dreissen played 12 seasons for the Reds from 1973 to 1984.

A Cincinnati-native and dominant first baseman in the 1880′s, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career and held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played.

Casey was the top vote-getter of the thousands of ballots cast online at RedsMuseum.org, at Great American Ball Park and at participating Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn locations.

Driessen and Reilly were selected by the Reds Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, comprised of members of the media, Hall of Famers, historians and Hall of Fame executives.

“Since 1958, the fans have played an integral part in the Hall of Fame election process, and this year was no exception as record participation resulted,” said Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls. “I’d like to thank Cincyfavorites.com, the thousands of fans that voted, and the Veterans Committee for recognizing the contributions of these players.”

The addition of Casey, Driessen and Reilly will bring the Hall’s membership ranks to 75 players, three managers, and three executives.

• Sean Casey (First Baseman, 1998-2005): One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, first baseman Sean Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career. Acquired by the Reds on the eve of Opening Day in 1998, Casey overcame a serious eye injury and established himself as the club’s starting first baseman and would remain in that position for the next seven seasons. A lifetime .305 hitter as a Red, Casey eclipsed the .300 mark five times during his Reds career, posting a career-best .332 average in 1999. Casey was one of the offensive forces of the 1999 Reds, a club that won 96 games and fell just one win short of securing a playoff berth. For the 1999 season, Casey led the Reds in batting average, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. During his Reds career, Casey ranked in the league’s top ten in batting average three times and was the Reds batting average leader in six of his seven seasons as a starter. Only twelve players in Reds history posted higher career batting averages than Casey’s .305 mark. A three-time National League All-Star, Casey was also the 1999 winner of Major League Baseball’s Hutch Award, was twice the recipient of the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award and was the 2004 winner of the Reds’ Most Valuable Player Award.

 

• Dan Driessen (First Baseman/Third Baseman, 1973-1984): A versatile member of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dan Driessen was signed by the Reds as an 18-year-old, undrafted free agent in 1969. In his Major League debut season of 1973, Driessen’s .301 average helped propel the Reds to the Western Division title and earned him a third place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Over the next three seasons, Driessen excelled at multiple positions for Reds teams that averaged over 100 victories a season and won back-to-back World Championships in 1975 and 1976. In the 1976 World Series, Driessen became the first designated hitter in National League history and hit .357 in the Reds sweep of the Yankees. In 1977, Driessen became the Reds everyday first baseman and enjoyed his finest offensive season, batting .300 with 17 home runs, 91 RBI and 31 stolen bases. One of the finest defensive first basemen of his era, Driessen led the National League in fielding percentage three times and shares the Reds all-time single season record for fielding percentage at the position. A member of the Reds from 1973 to 1984, only eight players in history have appeared in more games as a Red than Driessen.

 

• John Reilly (First Baseman, 1883-1891): The Reds starting first baseman from 1883 to 1891, John Reilly was the club’s leading hitter for most of the 1880′s and paced the club in home runs, RBI and batting average with a .301 mark. At 6’3″, Reilly was tall for his era, earning him the moniker “Long John” years before he played his first professional game. A Cincinnati native, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career. Reilly held single-season Reds records in numerous offensive categories including most doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage at multiple points in his career. When he retired after the 1891 season, Reilly held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played. While all of these records have since been broken, Reilly remains one of only four players in Reds history to lead the league in home runs twice. Reilly died in Cincinnati on May 31, 1937 at the age of 78. 

Copyright 2011 FOX19. All Rights Reserved.

Three-time All-Star Sean Casey, Big Red Machine infielder Dan Driessen and 19th century first baseman John Reilly will be the next three players inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Casey was selected by the fans through the Modern Player Ballot presented by Cincyfavorites.com. The Veterans Committee selected Driessen and Reilly to make up the Reds Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The trio will be honored June 22-24 during Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which will include on-field ceremonies at Great American Ball Park, the star-studded Hall of Fame Induction Gala and a variety of festivities at the Hall, including meet and greets with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni.

One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career.

A versatile infielder of the Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dreissen played 12 seasons for the Reds from 1973 to 1984.

A Cincinnati-native and dominant first baseman in the 1880’s, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career and held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played.

Casey was the top vote-getter of the thousands of ballots cast online at RedsMuseum.org, at Great American Ball Park and at participating Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn locations.

Driessen and Reilly were selected by the Reds Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, comprised of members of the media, Hall of Famers, historians and Hall of Fame executives.
“Since 1958, the fans have played an integral part in the Hall of Fame election process, and this year was no exception as record participation resulted,” said Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls. “I’d like to thank Cincyfavorites.com, the thousands of fans that voted, and the Veterans Committee for recognizing the contributions of these players.”

The addition of Casey, Driessen and Reilly will bring the Hall’s membership ranks to 75 players, three managers, and three executives.

Sean Casey (First Baseman, 1998-2005)
One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, first baseman Sean Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career. Acquired by the Reds on the eve of Opening Day in 1998, Casey overcame a serious eye injury and established himself as the club’s starting first baseman and would remain in that position for the next seven seasons. A lifetime .305 hitter as a Red, Casey eclipsed the .300 mark five times during his Reds career, posting a career-best .332 average in 1999. Casey was one of the offensive forces of the 1999 Reds, a club that won 96 games and fell just one win short of securing a playoff berth. For the 1999 season, Casey led the Reds in batting average, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. During his Reds career, Casey ranked in the league’s top ten in batting average three times and was the Reds batting average leader in six of his seven seasons as a starter. Only twelve players in Reds history posted higher career batting averages than Casey’s .305 mark. A three-time National League All-Star, Casey was also the 1999 winner of Major League Baseball’s Hutch Award, was twice the recipient of the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award and was the 2004 winner of the Reds’ Most Valuable Player Award.

Dan Driessen (First Baseman/Third Baseman, 1973-1984)
A versatile member of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dan Driessen was signed by the Reds as an 18-year-old, undrafted free agent in 1969. In his Major League debut season of 1973, Driessen’s .301 average helped propel the Reds to the Western Division title and earned him a third place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Over the next three seasons, Driessen excelled at multiple positions for Reds teams that averaged over 100 victories a season and won back-to-back World Championships in 1975 and 1976. In the 1976 World Series, Driessen became the first designated hitter in National League history and hit .357 in the Reds sweep of the Yankees. In 1977, Driessen became the Reds everyday first baseman and enjoyed his finest offensive season, batting .300 with 17 home runs, 91 RBI and 31 stolen bases. One of the finest defensive first basemen of his era, Driessen led the National League in fielding percentage three times and shares the Reds all-time single season record for fielding percentage at the position. A member of the Reds from 1973 to 1984, only eight players in history have appeared in more games as a Red than Driessen.

John Reilly (First Baseman, 1883-1891)
The Reds starting first baseman from 1883 to 1891, John Reilly was the club’s leading hitter for most of the 1880’s and paced the club in home runs, RBI and batting average with a .301 mark. At 6’3”, Reilly was tall for his era, earning him the moniker “Long John” years before he played his first professional game. A Cincinnati native, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career. Reilly held single-season Reds records in numerous offensive categories including most doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage at multiple points in his career. When he retired after the 1891 season, Reilly held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played. While all of these records have since been broken, Reilly remains one of only four players in Reds history to lead the league in home runs twice. Reilly died in Cincinnati on May 31, 1937 at the age of 78.

Posted in: News and notes

Read More: Jeff Gray (P – SEA), Matt Maloney (P – CIN), Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they have claimed a pair of pitchers off of waivers. Matt Maloney was claimed from the Cincinnati Reds while Jeff Gray was claimed off of the Seattle Mariners’ waivers.

Maloney is an interesting prospect despite being 27 as he’s appeared in 45 games over the last three seasons with the Reds. In his Major League career, Maloney’s put together a 5.40 ERA over 80 innings. He made 14 appearances with Triple-A Louisville last season, however, going 7-1 while compiling a 2.99 ERA and 51 strikeouts.

Gray on the other hand is a bit of a journeyman. In four Major League seasons, the 29-year-old has pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox before heading to the Mariners mid-season. Over his MLB career, Gray has appeared in 66 games while compiling a 4.57 ERA and 50 total strikeouts in 88.2 innings.

These aren’t the most newsworthy moves the team has ever made, but at least they’re making moves.

Read More: Jeff Gray (P – SEA), Matt Maloney (P – CIN), Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they have claimed a pair of pitchers off of waivers. Matt Maloney was claimed from the Cincinnati Reds while Jeff Gray was claimed off of the Seattle Mariners’ waivers.

Maloney is an interesting prospect despite being 27 as he’s appeared in 45 games over the last three seasons with the Reds. In his Major League career, Maloney’s put together a 5.40 ERA over 80 innings. He made 14 appearances with Triple-A Louisville last season, however, going 7-1 while compiling a 2.99 ERA and 51 strikeouts.

Gray on the other hand is a bit of a journeyman. In four Major League seasons, the 29-year-old has pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox before heading to the Mariners mid-season. Over his MLB career, Gray has appeared in 66 games while compiling a 4.57 ERA and 50 total strikeouts in 88.2 innings.

These aren’t the most newsworthy moves the team has ever made, but at least they’re making moves.