Former Dragons Garrett, Waldrop Added to Reds 40-Man Roster

November 24, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL) Dayton Dragons DAYTON, OH -Former Dayton Dragons Amir Garrett and Kyle Waldrop have been added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster.

The additions of Garrett, a left-handed pitcher, and Waldrop, an outfielder, bring the total of former Dragons on the Reds 40-man roster to 21 players. The most recent Dragons on the Reds roster are Garrett and left-handed pitcher Ismael Guillon, who both played for the Dragons during the 2014 season. First baseman Joey Votto, a member of the 2003 and '04 Dragons, represents the earliest appearance with the Dragons among current Reds players.

In addition to Garrett, Waldrop, Guillon, and Votto, other former Dragons currently on the Reds 40-man roster include infielders Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, and Donald Lutz; outfielders Jay Bruce, Juan Duran, Chris Heisey, Billy Hamilton, and Yorman Rodriguez; catchers Tucker Barnhart and Devin Mesoraco; and pitchers Homer Bailey, Carlos Contreras, Daniel Corcino, Johnny Cueto, Logan Ondrusek, Curtis Partch, and Pedro Villarreal. Two other current Reds, second baseman Brandon Phillips and pitcher Aroldis Chapman, have played briefly for the Dragons on injury rehabilitation assignments.

Players on the 40-man roster are protected by the organization from being selected in the Rule V Draft in December. Players with at least four years of professional experience (or at least five years of experience for players who signed their first contract before their 19th birthday) are eligible for the Rule V Draft and must be placed on the 40-man roster to be protected. Players must also be on the 40-man roster to be promoted to the Major Leagues during the season.

Garrett, 22, spent the entire 2014 season with the Dragons and made dramatic improvements over the course of the season. He finished the year with a record of 7-8 with a 3.65 earned run average in 27 starts. Garrett was the only Midwest League pitcher to fire two complete game shutouts in 2014. He ranked fifth in the league in strikeouts per nine innings, notching 127 strikeouts in 133.1 innings. Garrett's best game with the Dragons came August 13 against Lake County when he tossed seven shutout innings and struck out 12 while allowing just three hits and one walk. Starting May 30 and continuing through the rest of the season, Garrett was 7-4 with a 2.67 ERA, limiting opposing batters to a .188 average during that three-month stretch.

Waldrop spent the entire 2012 season with the Dragons as a 20-year-old, batting .284 with eight home runs and 50 RBI in 117 games. Waldrop enjoyed a huge 2014 season, splitting the year equally between Advanced-A Bakersfield and Double-A Pensacola. He led the Reds organization in batting average at .338 while connecting on 14 home runs and driving in 67 runs. Following the season, Waldrop was invited to play in the prospect-filled Arizona Fall League and turned in a strong performance, batting .300 in 19 games with two home runs, 14 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .463.

Outside the Reds organization, 2011 Dragons second baseman Ronald Torreyes was added to the Houston Astros 40-man roster. Torreyes, the smallest player in Dragons history at 5'7", 140 lbs., hit .356 for the 2011 Dragons, helping the team to the best record in franchise history at 83-57. This season, Torreyes played for the Astros Triple-A club, Oklahoma City. He batted .298 as a utility man at second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and center field.

The Dragons open the 2015 season on April 9 at West Michigan. The home opener is Sunday, April 12 vs. South Bend. For information on Dragons season tickets, group outings, orre luxury suites, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com.

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Former Dragons Garrett, Waldrop Added to Reds 40-Man Roster