NewsTracking Reds players in winter leagues
Rosales, Leake impressing in Mexico, Arizona Fall LeagueBy Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
10/26/09 4:51 PM ET
CINCINNATI -- The Major League offseason is not even one month old, but several Reds prospects and big league players have already started playing in fall and winter leagues. Playing in Mexico for Mexicali, infielder Adam Rosales was batting .316 (18-for-57) with one home runs and seven RBIs in 14 games through Sunday. Rosales had a .418 on-base percentage. Also in the Mexican League for Hermosillo, Darnell McDonald was off to a .412 (21-for-51) start in 13 games with five homers and 17 RBIs. Playing for Triple-A Louisville manager Rick Sweet at Aguilas in the Dominican Republic, first baseman Kevin Barker was batting .407 (11-for-27) in seven games. Teammate and catcher Craig Tatum was batting .150 (3-for-20) after five games. On the pitching staff for Aguilas, Sam LeCure was 0-1 in two games, including one start, with a 3.20 ERA over 5 2/3 innings. Ben Jukich has given up two unearned runs over eight innings in two appearances. Both LeCure and Jukich pitched for Louisville in 2009. In the Dominican with Cibao, third base prospect Juan Francisco was off to a slow start, batting .158 (3-for-19) through five games. Domestically in the Arizona Fall League, top outfield prospect Chris Heisey was off to a sensational start for the Peoria Saguaros. Heisey, who reached Triple-A this season, entered Monday's AFL action batting .432 (16-for-37) over nine games with two homers, nine RBIs and a 1.326 on-base plus slugging percentage. Also with Peoria, first baseman Yonder Alonso was batting .207 (6-for-29) in seven games with two homers and 10 RBIs. The Reds' 2009 first-round selection, starting pitcher Mike Leake, was 0-1 with 1.80 ERA after two starts. Leake had allowed eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts.Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
