Nick Travieso Building Reputation In Goodyear

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Nick Travieso is all of 21-years old in his first big league spring training camp.

Manager Bryan Price has mentioned his name several times as pitchers that have left an impression 11 days into training camp. To compare Homer Bailey had advanced to Double A by his third professional season after being taken in the first round of the 2004 draft (7th) overall.  Travieso, was the Reds' first pick (14th overall) in the 2012 draft out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  He has spent the last two seasons in Dayton, a Low A league.

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"It impressed me that he repeated a league, the Midwest League and became a force," Price said.

Travieso, 6'2" and 225 lbs right-hander, led the Midwest League in wins with 14.  That was tops in the Reds' minor league system as was his 3.13 ERA.

"He's grown into his body. His velocity got better throughout the course of the year. It isn't uncommon for pitchers to regress in the second half of the year, especially young pitchers," Price said.  "The velocity on his slider increased.  His pitch quality and command is much improved.  He is a big physical guy, who is throwing at the bottom of the strike zone. He is a "yes sir", "no sir" guy."

The Midwest League All-Star may not have advanced as far as Bailey in the same amount of time but the Reds' organization is in a different stage.  When Bailey made his Major Leaugue debut in his fourth year in 2007 the Reds starters were Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Matt Belisle and Kyle Lohse with games started by Bobby Livingston, Eric Milton, Kirk Saarloos and Mike Goslin.  Travieso has a much more formidable task to earn a spot in the Major Leagues with established starters, Johnny Cueto, Bailey, Mike Leake and the group competing this spring that includes, Anthony DeSclafani, Tony Cingrani, Rasiel Iglesias, David Holmberg, and veterans, Jason Marquis and Paul Maholm.