March 6, 2023 – Midwest League (MWL) – Dayton Dragons News Release
Dayton Dragons second baseman Jose Torres
(Dayton Dragons)
One week from today, spring training games will begin for the Reds minor league affiliates in Arizona, including the Dayton Dragons under returning manager Bryan LaHair. On Monday, March 13, Triple-A Louisville, Double-A Chattanooga, and High-A Dayton will each play the Cleveland Guardians corresponding affiliate to open their spring seasons. Single-A Daytona will open their schedule two days later, on March 15.
The first minor leagues games of the spring will not actually be the first game action for many of the minor league players. In fact, in the Reds major league spring training split-squad games this past Saturday and Sunday (total of four games), 15 players from the 2022 Dragons saw action for the Reds. Those players were the two players profiled in this second base preview, Jose Torres and Tyler Callihan, along with Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott, Jay Allen, Allan Cerda, Austin Hendrick, Noelvi Marte, Quincy McAfee, Alex McGarry, Connor Phillips, Nick Quintana, Brian Rey, and Michel Triana, as well as with big league outfielder Jake Fraley, who appeared with the Dragons last season on an injury rehab assignment. Additionally, five players from the 2021 Dragons also saw action in Reds games over the weekend, including Matt McLain, Michael Siani, James Free, Ricky Karcher, and Lyon Richardson (Cerda, McAfee, McGarry, and Rey played for the Dragons both years).
There are currently about 160 players in Reds minor league camp competing for jobs with the Reds four full-season farm clubs including the Dragons. That number will actually grow to nearly 200 once the Reds begin making cuts from big league camp, and players from the major league workout group move over to the minor league side. This season’s Dragons team will arrive in Dayton on April 4.
The Dragons annual home opening night game at Day Air Ballpark is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11th against the Great Lakes Loons at 7:05 p.m. The Dragons will open their 23rd season in the Midwest League with a road series at the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio beginning Thursday, April 6th at 6:35 p.m.
This is part three of an eight-part series previewing the 2023 Dragons. Players listed here are candidates for positions on the Dragons season-opening roster.
This preview is an unofficial projection of possible roster candidates. Minor League rosters are not established…
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