Jim Caple of ESPN was at Cincinnati Reds training camp this weekend and wrote a nice story about German outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz.
“We definitely need to get him some more at-bats,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “The big thing is to keep him healthy for a year and on the field. He missed a good part of last year [due to finger and wrist injuries]. We’re not sure whether to start him at Double-A or Triple-A, but the thing is to get him off to a good start. He just needs to get more at-bats, more consistency and good health because he has the chance to be a very good player.
.
“He’s a versatile player. He can play the outfield, left or right, and he can play first base. He hits with power and for a big guy [6-foot-3, 250 pounds], he runs well.”
Meanwhile Max Kepler’s first taste of MLB baseball is over. The German outfielder was among the first cuts from Spring Training with the Minnesota Twins. Being added to the 40-man roster last fall, he received an automatic invitation to big league camp and impressed with a 6-for-12 showing in seven games. He will start the year with the High-A affiliate in Fort Myers.