By Rodger M. WoodIn their first year at Fast A - Lynchburg, the Cincinnati Reds stocked their team much better than a lowly 17 – 27 W- L record and 4th place Northern Division, Carolina League position in the standings indicates.Their pitching rotation is anchored by BA #9, 2009 1st round supplemental USC ace hurler, Brad Boxberger, currently 3-4 W-L, with a 3.70 ERA.
Backing him up in the Hill Cats rotation are RHP Matt Fairel, 4-1 W-L, 3.47 ERA,RHP Curtis Partch, 2-3, 3.53 ERA, and BA #24, RHP Mark Serrano, 2-1 W-L, 3.38 ERA.Bullpen ace is RHP Jordan Hotchkiss, who is 3-0 W-L with a 1.57 ERA in 23.0 IP in15 appearances.The Hill Cats are strong up the middle defensively with power hitting BA #30 catcher Devin Mesoraco, (336 BA, 9 HR, 29 RBI) , SS Alex Buchholz (289 BA, 1 HR, 24 RBI),BA #28 2B Cody Puckett (277 BA, 6 HR, 20 RBI) and BA #26 CF Josh Fellhauer(298 BA, 4 HR, 18 RBI).On the corners, they have power bats at 1B in Carlos Mendez (317 BA, 0 HR, and9 RBI), and at 3B in BA #13 3B Neftali Soto (280 BA, 6 HR, 24 RBI), whom the Reds are also trying to convert to catcher.This talent is led by savvy veteran manager, Pat Kelly. pitching coach, Rigo Beltran, and hitting coach, Tony Jaramillo.The young Hill Cats have the pitching, hitting, and defense to be winners. As soon as their young hitters figure out the more experienced Carolina League pitchers and their pitchers the more experienced Carolina League hitters, they’ll set the league on fire, maybe winning the second half pennant race and season end playoffs.The 2010 Lynchburg photo folder was taken before and during a day game at Potomac April 25th.