In June 2005, the Cincinnati Reds selected Sam LeCure (pitcher out of the University of Texas) in the fourth round of the first-year player draft.

The Reds immediately sent him to Billings (rookie level ball) where he was impressive, going 5-1 with a 3.27 ERA and striking out 44 and walking only 15 in 41 1/3 innings. From 2006 to 2009 he demonstrated good command while working his way up through the Reds system. This season at AAA Louisville he was 5-2 with a 2.55 era before getting the call to Cincinnati.

MLB.com reports that LeCure took stock of his emotions on his drive from Louisville to Cincinnati and thought, I’m about to arrive.

Now that he has arrived, the question is will he stay. He is replacing Homer Bailey who has struggled and was placed on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation.

Bailey broke into the rotation last season going 8-5 with a 4.53 era, but has struggled in 2010 going 1-2 with a 5.51 era in his nine starts.

LeCure should get a few starts while Bailey is out and if he pitches well it would be difficult for Dusty to remove him, but where would he go with Bailey? The pen?

 

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