WRAL Sports Fan

Mudcats

Cincinnati Reds set roster for Friday game in Zebulon

Apr 1, 2009

Zebulon, N.C. — Burgeoning stars Edinson Volquez, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce highlight the major league roster for the Cincinnati Reds ahead of Friday's Futures Game at Five County Stadium.

The game matches the Reds against their top minor-league prospects.

The Reds' roster, still subject to change as spring training winds down, showcases 15-game winner Bronson Arroyo, who makes he return to Zebulon for the first time since 1998 when he was 9-8 with a 5.46 ERA over 22 starts for the Mudcats. At the time, the Mudcats were completing their final season as an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arroyo then made his major league debut in 2000 for Pittsburgh before being claimed on waivers by the Boston Red Sox, with whom Arroyo won a World Series championship in 2004. Arroyo was then dealt to Cincinnati in 2006 for Wily Mo Pena.

Votto finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting after a full rookie campaign saw the elite prospect slug 24 HRs, drive in 84 runs and hit .297 over 151 games. Former West Tenn Diamond Jaxx Geovany Soto outpaced Votto for the award 158 points to 76.

Volquez, who was acquired by the Reds from Texas in the trade for former Athens Drive star Josh Hamilton, was magnificent in his first full season in the major leagues. Volquez became the ace of the staff at the age of 24, starting 32 games and compiling a record of 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 206 strikeouts. Volquez finished fourth in the N.L. in Rookie of the Year voting and finished 8th in the N.L. in ERA, tied for 3rd in wins and matched 2nd in Ks.

Bruce, meanwhile, didn't make his major league debut until May 27th but still swatted 21 HRs and drove in 52 over 108 games.

Limited tickets remain for Friday's game with gates opening at 4:30 PM ET. For more information on the Cincinnati Reds Futures Game, contact the Carolina Mudcats at (919) 269-2287 or at www.carolinamudcats.com.