Outfielder Conner Capel has cleared waivers and been outrighted to the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate. Capel had the option of rejecting the outright assignment in favor of free agency because he has previously been outrighted in his career, but The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith (X link) reports that Capel will indeed report to Triple-A Louisville.
The Reds designated Capel for assignment earlier this week, a month after optioning him down to the minors after a five-game cup of coffee on the big league roster. Capel signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati over the offseason and had that contract selected in early May, with Capel receiving eight plate appearances in his five games.
A veteran of three Major League seasons, Capel made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2022, making a strong first impression with a .308/.356/.519 slash line in 59 plate appearances with St. Louis and (after a September waiver claim) Oakland. Capel didn’t receive much of a longer look in 2023, however, as he appeared in just 32 games for the A’s with 86 trips to the plate. All in all, the 27-year-old has a career .278/.359/.398 slash line in 153 PA over 59 games in the Show.
Capel’s minor league numbers are more solid, as he has hit .259/.354/.435 with 43 home runs in 1430 career PA at the Triple-A level. He has also stolen 52 bases in 71 attempts, and has played mostly center field in the minors while also getting a lot of playing time at the two corner outfield slots. This skillset makes Capel a useful player to have as depth either on a big league bench or in the upper minors, so he’ll continue to bide his time in Louisville awaiting his next opportunity in Cincinnati.
Yet they continue to run Will Benson out there to strike out half the time and make weak contact.
Benson shouldn’t be on a major league roster. The Red’s minor leagues are pretty dismal. Hardly any hitters or pitchers are shining. It is pretty disappointing.
I am still amazed at the lack of adding a legit outfielder in the offseason. That need was crying out for help and there were several options available, especially on the right handed hitting side.
I agree they needed a legit RH hitting outfielder. They thought Benson could build on last season and he regressed badly.. Fraley doesn’t hit LH pitching and it turns out Friedl stays injured a lot. Also, Steer was expected to hold down LF and he is having a relatively poor season with the bat thus far.. I don’t think the game plan was that bad. Who could predict all the injuries and the hitters who are having a bad season. Maybe some of that will get better the second half of the season. I am starting to question the coaching at the minor league level. They aren’t getting that much production out of the young hitting or pitching prospects. I am talking current minor league prospects. They have had good results with McClain, Friedl, Steer, CES and De La Cruz. as well as Abbott, Greene and Lodolo.. ..I guess it could be poor evaluation but they have had a good track record in that regard. At any rate, it was expected to be a season the Reds took off and for whatever reasons, it has not happened thus far.,
@This one belongs to the Reds
K%: 39.6% – 40% is not half.
Hard %: 43.7% – He’s hitting the ball hard 40% of the time. League average is 30.7%, so he’s above average.
If you think K% of 40% isn’t alarming, I can’t help you. If you hit the ball hard the 40% of the time you actually do hit it and are below the Mendoza line, you are still getting outs not helping the team.
Of course, I am talking recently, not over the whole season. Dude has regressed, not progressed. He needs a triple A wake up call. He will either come back better as before or be another Aquino or Wily Mo Pena.
@@This one belongs to the Reds
I was just pointing out facts from Fangraphs. I’m not suggesting 40% is good but it’s not half as you claim, so you’re spreading misinformation. You also said he makes weak contact but he’s actually making more hard contact than the league average. I guess the league is pretty bad at making hard contact. Maybe most of the players need a triple-A wakeup call.
No surprise. Guy’s minor league fodder. He needs a job so he took the demotion.
No argument there.
So why bring him up to begin with if you weren’t going to use him? Bringing kids up just to sit doesn’t help anyone’s development.
@This one belongs to the Reds
Got to know what players you have and whether they’ll pan out or not. Reds now know so they’ll use him as fodder.
Hopefully, Charlie Condon will fall into their lap as the second overall pick. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if Krall blows this pick.
There are already rumors they will draft a pit her so tgey can go under slot value. So you’re right, he may blow it, or worse yet, Condon goes first and they take yet another infielder they don’t need.
Bazzana could play LF if Condon goes first or vice versa.. The Reds need the best bat they can get. That would be either of those 2. Another scenario is moving De La Cruz to the OF and putting McClain back at SS with Bazzana playing 2B. Or De La Cruz to 3B , Marte at SS , McClain at 2B and whomever of the 2 they draft in LF. There are several options. Get the best bat they can with the 2nd overall choice.
Drafting Chase Burns makes some sense. #1)Difficult to argue that Reds are better drafting /developing pitching than hitting. Burns is consistent with Reds doing what they do best. #2) Could save more than $600K signing Burns over Condon. Money which will absolutely be used on either #51, #71, and/or #87 picks to get above slot players. No one pockets any of their draft pool money. #3) Reds have a good pitching staff-but you can’t have too much pitching. Imagine Lowder, Petty, and Burns reaching their potential next year and Krall with Abbott, Williamson, Ashcraft as possible trade bait .
Solid chance that the Guards draft Bazzana and the Reds will be able to draft Condon
Either of those 2 would be my choice. The Reds need hitting and each would add some pop to the lineup.