Tyler Mahle faced Corbin Burnes on Wednesday night in Goodyear af ter he found out he will be the opening day starter in Atlanta on April 7. The Reds play four games over the weekend, then have Monday off. It is conceivable that Mahle could start the home opener on April 12 against the Cleveland Guardians.
Mahle pitched two innings against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk but struck out three.
A fascinating prospect Elly De La Cruz, who is a slender 6'5" left handed hitting shortstop hit a line drive grand slam, home run off Brad Boxberger to send the Reds to a 12-8 win. The crowd started buzzing after the blow.
De La Cruz is just 20-years old but has people talking here in camp. The home run was hit on a line over the left field fence at Goodyear Ball Park.
A lot was written about him from minor league camp. He played in the Dominican Summer League in 2019 but didn't play at all in 2020. Last year De La Cruz started in the Arizona Rookie League but skipped Dayton for Daytona.
"I feel very emotional and a little nervous too from everything that's going on right now," De La Cruz said through an interpreter. "I try to have a clear mind at all times. Once I got the call to get in the game and after that home run really, I got all jacked up. The fans were waving at me and cheering me on."
Manager David Bell heard a lot about him but had never seen him play.
"At first it was just fun getting him into a game. I got to spend five or ten minutes talking to him," Bell said. "I heard about his family and his background. It was really enjoyable. He is very confident, intelligent and really sure of himself in a good way for a young kid. Watching him play you kind of got a sense that something like that was going to happen. He wanted that at bat for sure."
Jake Fraley was supposed to start but fell ill. T.J. Friedl had two hits including a home run in Fraley's place.
Aramis Garcia, who is trying to stick with the club as a back up catcher, drove in two runs with a single. He hit two home runs in his last outing.
Mahle was long gone by the time De La Cruz put a charge into the ball but finished his great day by tuning up for his opening day start.
"Mahle is right on track. He is healthy, strong. He will get a couple more outings. He will be where he needs to be," Bell said.
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