MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons 2014 Preview, Part 5: Second Basemen

Published on March 19, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


The Dragons opened the 2013 season with a three-man rotation at second base, but the eventual everyday starter at this position, Sammy Diaz, was not among that group. When Diaz did emerge in mid-June, he was an outstanding contributor for the remainder of the season. All four players who saw action in 2013 could potentially be in the mix in 2014, along with a couple of newcomers.

On opening night, 2013, Robert Ramirez was in the lineup at second base for the Dragons, and by the end of that four-game series at West Michigan, both Brent Peterson and Humberto Valor had also started games at second base. On June 14, Diaz arrived from extended spring training and held down the spot for the remaining of the season.

Sammy Diaz, 23, has always been an exceptional defensive infielder at second base or shortstop, but his hitting has improved steadily since he signed with the Reds in 2009 as an international free agent from Venezuela. Diaz first arrived in Dayton at the end of the 2010 season when a rash of promotions left the Dragons in need of reinforcements. He spent 2011 at Billings and saw time with the Dragons in 2012, batting .266 with one home run in 27 games. In 2013 with the Dragons, Diaz batted .279 with three homers and 28 RBI in 72 games, adding eight stolen bases. He primarily served as the #2 hitter in the Dragons batting order. He spent considerable time above the .300 mark and was hitting as high as .291 with a week to go in the season. Diaz made his usual assortment of flashy defensive plays for the Dragons in 2013 as well.

Diaz could be a candidate to advance to Bakersfield in 2014, but with a high number of middle infielders in the higher levels of the Reds organization, he may return to Dayton.

Brent Peterson got off to a tremendous start for the Dragons in 2013, collecting base hits in each of his first six plate appearances. He struggled with some injury issues and eventually underwent surgery on his wrist. Peterson, 21, was the Reds 12th round draft pick in 2012 out of Bakersfield College in his hometown of Bakersfield, California. Peterson also played baseball for Army for one season. Peterson played in 53 games for the Dragons in 2013, batting .229 with no home runs and eight RBI. Following the season, he was named the Reds Minor League Community Service Award winner for the entire organization based on his efforts in the Dayton area last season, making appearances at non-profit events, kids clinics, etc.

Humberto Valor played in 42 games for the Dragons in 2013 and could be a candidate to return in a utility role. He can play any position in the infield. For several weeks in July, Valor took over as the Dragons everyday shortstop when Zach Vincej went on the disabled list with a strained oblique. Valor batted .179 with two home runs and 12 RBI. Valor is a 21-year-old native of Venezuela who signed as an international free agent at the age of 16 in 2009.

Robert Ramirez, the Dragons opening night starter, played in 48 games for the Dayton club in 2013, batting .222 with two homers and 20 RBI. He will not be eligible for the first 50 games of the 2014 season due to a suspension.

Ty Washington and Avain Rachal split the second base duties with Billings last summer, one level below the Dragons in the Reds farm system. One or both could be a candidate to make the Dayton roster out of spring training.

Ty Washington, 20, batted .264 with no home runs, 22 RBI, and 10 stolen bases at Billings. He endured a dreadful slump to end the season that brought down his batting average significantly. Through the first 27 games of the 53 he played in, Washington was hitting .360. Over his last 26 games, he hit just .161. Washington was drafted by the Reds in the 43rd round in 2011 out of Plano East High School in Texas, a school that has produced numerous NFL football players along with cyclist Lance Armstrong. Washington was Rawlings 3rd Team All-American as a senior in high school and turned down an offer to play at the University of Oklahoma to sign with the Reds.

Avain Rachal, 20, batted .253 with four home runs and 21 RBI at Billings. He also walked 41 times in 53 games. Like Washington, he started strong and was hitting .305 at the end of July but batted .198 in August and September. He primarily hit in the #3 spot in the Billings batting order where teams often place their best hitter. He played both second base and third, though he struggled mightily at third base, committing 10 errors in 14 games there.

Rachal was the Reds 22nd round draft pick in 2011 out of Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas. He had signed to play at the University of Houston before coming to terms with the Reds. Rachal hit .297 with the AZL Reds in 2012.

Rosters will be set on March 29.

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Midwest League Stories from March 19, 2014


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.

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