Sunday, June 30, 2002
Top pick handled with care
Down on the farm
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Chris Gruler was scratched from his second scheduled professional start. As alarming as that might sound, the Reds' player development people aren't concerned.
“When he was in Cincinnati, we had him examined,” Reds director of player development Tim Naehring said. “They found some areas of weakness in the back of his shoulder. You find that in 99 percent of high school kids. He was put on a strengthening and throwing program.”
Gruler, an 18-year-old right-hander, was the Reds' top pick in the draft and the third player chosen overall. The Reds signed him for a $2.5 million bonus, so they are going to be very careful with their investment.
Gruler threw four innings of two-hit, shutout ball in his pro debut for Billings of the rookie-level Pioneer League. But because his high school season ended early, Gruler was pitching competitively for the first time in about a month.
Naehring doesn't expect Gruler to miss much time.
“He'll probably make his next start,” Naehring said. “If not then, he'll pitch in the next 10 to 12 days. There's no reason to rush him.”
ONE TO WATCH: Edwin Encarnacion, the player the Reds got along with Ruben Mateo from Texas in the Rob Bell trade, has been lighting it up at Single-A Dayton.
Encarnacion went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and two stolen bases Thursday night to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Over the 10 games, Encarnacion, a 19-year-old third baseman, was hitting .419 with eight RBI. He is hitting .312 overall with seven homers, 38 RBI and 14 steals.
“He's a kid with all the tools,” Naehring said. “He has the potential to be an All-Star-type player. But like a lot of young kids, he kind of floats in and out sometimes. That's very common. He needs to get better with that.”
Encarnacion is only 6-feet-1, 175 pounds, but his natural position is third.
“He's got the hands, the arm,” Naehring said. “He's the total package.”
LOOKING FOR LEFTY: The Reds moved Pedro Feliciano, a 25-year-old left-hander, to Triple-A Louisville. Feliciano was 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA at Double-A Chattanooga before the promotion.
“If he's left-handed, we're looking at him (for the big leagues),” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “We're looking at him and Trevor Miller.”
Miller is ahead of Feliciano for now. Miller is 5-2 with a 2.22 ERA at Louisville this year.
Both were sixth-year, minor-league free agents. The difference? Miller is 29; Feliciano is 25.
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Top pick handled with care
