Adam Rosales
With winter leagues going on all across North America, plenty of Reds' prospects are looking to boost their stock by earning some additional playing time in various places. Two such players are 26-year-old infielder Adam Rosales and 25-year-old IF/OF Wes Bankston.
Both players are familiar to Louisville Bats' fans, having spent time at Slugger Field over the past few seasons. With the American baseball offseason upon us, both are now taking part in the eight-team Mexican Pacific League, which started in early October and runs through December 30th.
Rosales is playing for Aguilas de Mexicali, which translates to the Mexicali Eagles. Through 26 games, Rosales is having a very solid season with his temporary squad. As an everyday player, mostly at third base, he is hitting a respectable .294 with a pair of homers and 13 ribbys. Rosales has also displayed noteworthy patience at the plate, as his on-base percentage has climbed to .397. Mexicali is a city in western Mexico close to the Mexico/U.S. border, allowing Rosales to sneak away to Tijuana for some prime nightlife on his off days, if he so desires.
This past season, Rosales was lighting up triple-A while playing for the Bats to start the year, hitting .349 in 30 games. His play was so impressive that he was called up to Cincinnati and spent most of the season with the Reds, filling in at four different infield positions when the team was beset with injuries. In 87 games with Cincy, the right-hander struggled at the dish, hitting just .213, but was solid in the field, and had an on-base percentage over .300.
Bankston is also playing south of the border, but suiting up for the Algodoneros de Guasave. As a member of the Cotton Pickers (that is the actual translation), Bankston has not performed quite as well, netting a .229 average in 48 at-bats, with a homer and seven runs batted in. Playing time is a bit more hard to come by in the Algodoneros infield, as their roster lists 11 players who can play around the horn. Bankston has been working mostly at first and third base. For reasons unbeknownst to me, Bankston has not gotten any at-bats since October 25th. I'm not sure if there is a baseball-related injury, an incident with the Mexican drinking water, or worst case scenario, a mix-up with the wrong drug cartel.
Bankston played the entire 2009 season at triple-A with the Bats, and was one of their top power hitters while juggling between several positions. 17 times he went yard while playing for Louisville, driving in 75 runs and hitting .267. The right-handed hitting Bankston seemed to be a nomad of sorts in the field, registering time at first base, third base, designated hitter, and outfield.
Another 2009 Louisville Bat, outfielder Darnell McDonald, is also playing in the Mexican Pacific League. McDonald, who bounced between the Reds and Bats this past year, is currently ranked third in the league with a .378 average. Just this past week, however, McDonald was outrighted off Cincinnati's 40-man roster, giving him the option to become a free agent. With his 31st birthday approaching next week, McDonald has elected to become a free man, hoping to find a better shot at cracking a major-league roster elsewhere.
Louisville Bats in Arizona Fall League
Louisville Bats in Dominican Winter League
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