There weren't a lot of people out there who expected to see a Jonny Gomes trade between the Reds and the Nationals. But now that it's done, with Gomes on his way to D.C., room has been cleared in Cincinnati for prospect Yonder Alonso. From a team press release:
Reds Promote Yonder Alonso After Jonny Gomes Trade
1B/OF Yonder Alonso (#23) was recalled from Class AAA Louisville to replace Gomes on the Reds’ roster. He will be in uniform for tonight’s game against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park.
Alonso joins Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, and Fred Lewis in a crowded outfield. However, one can expect him to get pretty regular playing time in left field, as the Reds wouldn't bring him up to sit him down.
The 24-year-old lefty former first baseman has switched to the outfield in 2011. With triple-A Louisville, Alonso has batted .296/.374/.486, and while his power hasn’t progressed quite as the organization hoped, he’s still young and already swings a productive bat. Baseball America ranked him the #73 overall prospect in baseball before the year, and since then he has increased his walks while reducing his strikeouts.
Alonso probably isn’t a high-impact guy, but he should have a successful career, which will shortly begin in earnest.
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