Mudcats’ right-hander Justin Mallett shined on the mound Monday night, despite his team’s loss to Jacksonville in the second game of a doubleheader. He looked confident over five innings, striking out six and walking just two. He also proved he has excellent reflexesor survival instinctssnagging a sharp line drive drilled back to the mound.
Apparently the Reds’ brass noticed, and now Mallett is headed upstairs to the Triple-A Louisville Bats, where he was assigned to begin this season. (Question for the Reds: How about giving a break to center fielder and leadoff batter Chris Heisey, the Southern League’s No. 2 hitter?)
However right-hander Misael DeJesus has struggled this season, posting a 9.85 ERA over seven starts, walking an average of almost one batter per inning (26 walks in 28 1/3 innings). He’s been reassigned to Sarasota, the High-A team in the Florida State League, for some woodshedding.
While you’re filling out your scorecards, note there will be a new Mudcat on the mound Friday night against Chattanooga: Right-hander Zack Stewart, who’s being promoted from Sarasota. A Texas Tech grad, he was the Reds’ third-round pick in last year’s draft and ranked as Cincinnati’s 15th best prospect by Baseball America. Stewart is 1-1 with an ERA of 2.13.
