Two IL All-Stars have designs on playing for Reds
At least two players participating in the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday night at Huntington Park hope they return to Ohio real soon.
Both outfielder Mason Williams and reliever Kevin Quackenbush have bigleague experience and are enjoying solid seasons for Cincinnati’s top farm team in Louisville. Quackenbush started the season with the Reds after a strong spring but was sent down after a rough patch in which he gave up 11 runs in nine innings.
Since arriving in Louisville, Quackenbush has had 13 saves for the Bats, striking out 32 in 26 innings while sporting a 0.34 ERA.
“I’m going one pitch, one outing at a time and that’s all you can do,” said Quackenbush, who spent the previous four seasons with San Diego and made 193 appearances with the Padres. “I love Louisville; it’s a great organization in a great town. I still get to put a uniform on every day. And being here is great. This is going to be a lot of fun.” Former heavyweight boxing champion Buster Douglas, left, presents a championship belt to Toledo Mud Hens’ Chad Huffman, a prize for winning the Home Run Derby on Monday.
Like Quackenbush, Mason signed a minor-league deal with the Reds in the offseason, only he hasn’t made it to Cincinnati yet. Mason, who appeared in 25 games with the New York Yankees over the previous three seasons, has six home runs and 27 RBI for Louisville.
“I have been with the Yankees the past few years and sometimes it’s good to get a fresh start with a new team,” said Mason, who was
cut in spring training. “I just know I have to play hard and compete every day, put up the numbers to put myself in the position to get into their conversation.”
Chad Huffman won the Home Run Derby on Monday night, his second such win after doing so in 2009 with Portland.
Huffman, now with the Toledo Mud Hens, spent two seasons with the Clippers. After hitting his 10th homer in the finals, Huffman gave a bear hug to announcer Matt Leininger, who was calling the moon shots from the side.
The highlight, Huffman said, was receiving a custom boxing/wrestling championship belt from one of Columbus’ biggest names.
“Getting a belt from Buster Douglas is just crazy,” Huffman said. “This place definitely means something to me.
“The fans here, and the way they support the Clippers, is just special. It was electric the whole night and you heard the roar every time one was hit deep.”
Cole Irvin wasn’t voted in as the starting pitcher for the International League but will take the hill Wednesday night. Enyel De Los Santos was elected the IL starter, but he was unavailable — and for a good reason.
The Phillies recalled him from Lehigh Valley and he made his major league debut on Tuesday against the New York Mets.
“That’s really cool for him to be up there,” said Irvin, who is a teammate of De Los Santos with the IronPigs. “As much as I and the rest of the guys here would like to be up there, playing in this game is a real honor. I’m excited for it, excited to pitch in front of the baseball fans here in Columbus.”
Clippers and IL manager Chris Tremie said even though he hadn’t seen much of Irvin this season, his numbers (8-3, 2.89 ERA) stand out.
“He deserves the opportunity to pitch,” Tremie said.
For the Pacific Coast League team, Memphis right-hander Dakota Hudson will start after going 12-2 with a 2.42 ERA. Hudson was voted in, and Iowa Cubs and PCL manager Marty Pevey said Hudson is just another top-end pitcher within the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization.
“He uses his pitches so well, has great command,” Pevey said. “We faced him a few days ago … he’s a great competitor. The Cardinals have a lot of guys like him, and he looks great.”