Cincinnati Reds Come to Town
The active Reds players and prospects attending the Reds Caravan event in Jackson were (from the left) Andrew Abbott, a pitcher with an 8-6 record his first year in 2023; Julian Aguiar, the 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year; and talented up-and-coming prospects Rece Hinds and Sal Stewart. (Photo by Red Thompson, Jr.)
The 2024 Cincinnati Reds Caravan stopped at the Parks Edge Event Center in Jackson, Ohio on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 25.
The event was broadcast live on Total Media Radio Station WKOV (96.7 FM.) with The Radio executive and on-air personality JJ Hale hosting the event. Six members of the Reds entourage made their way into the building and met the fans. Hale also announced the Reds new Total Media radio home this upcoming season will be WCJO 97.7 FM the Bull as it moves there from Fox Sports 105.3. FM. Hale stated the signal reaches a larger geographic area and will improve coverage in the Vinton County and Minford areas.
The Reds group consisted of four active players, a former player with a claim to fame and a management team member. The players were Andrew Abbott, a pitcher with an 8-6 record in his first year with the Reds in 2023; Julian Aguiar, the 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year; and talented up-and-coming prospects Rece Hinds and Sal Stewart. The management team representative was Vice President of Player Development Shawn Pender.
The event was broadcast live on Total Media Radio Station WKOV (96.7 FM.) with The Radio executive and on-air personality JJ Hale hosting the event. Six members of the Reds entourage made their way into the building and met the fans. Hale also announced the Reds new Total Media radio home this upcoming season will be WCJO 97.7 FM the Bull as it moves there from Fox Sports 105.3. FM. Hale stated the signal reaches a larger geographic area and will improve coverage in the Vinton County and Minford areas.
The Reds group consisted of four active players, a former player with a claim to fame and a management team member. The players were Andrew Abbott, a pitcher with an 8-6 record in his first year with the Reds in 2023; Julian Aguiar, the 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year; and talented up-and-coming prospects Rece Hinds and Sal Stewart. The management team representative was Vice President of Player Development Shawn Pender.
The former player was first baseman/outfielder Todd Benzinger from the1990 World Championship team. Benzinger caught the ball to record the final out of the World Series. He was a favorite of many older fans and baseball historians attending the Jackson event. He had a nine-year career and played for five different teams but had a pinnacle with the Reds. He is from the Cincinnati metro area and played high school baseball at New Richmond. The 1990 team captain was Queen City native Barry Larkin. Benzinger pointed out that he is proud the Reds are part of his legacy, but he reminded everyone the focus is on the current players.
Many younger members in the local crowd focused on Abbott’s career. His debut year was very good and he should be a cog on the Reds hurling staff in 2024. He is a Virginia native who played for four years for the University of Virginia Cavaliers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He went through the Reds’ farm system and made his MLB debut on June 4.
Pender is high on this team and says the Reds are working hard to put a winning team on the field.
I think we have done a great job,” said Pender. “We have drafted really good players; I do not mean just from a talent perspective.” He is high on the development of Aguiar, Hinds and Stewart and is looking forward to seeing them rise through the ranks. He also appreciates a player like Benzinger, who represents the past heritage of the Reds organization.
The event also included an autograph and photo session. The Reds’ group went on to Athens to continue their stops through Reds Country.
The 2024 season opens with the Reds hosting the Washington Nationals on March 28 and can be heard on WCJO (97.7 FM).
Pender is high on this team and says the Reds are working hard to put a winning team on the field.
I think we have done a great job,” said Pender. “We have drafted really good players; I do not mean just from a talent perspective.” He is high on the development of Aguiar, Hinds and Stewart and is looking forward to seeing them rise through the ranks. He also appreciates a player like Benzinger, who represents the past heritage of the Reds organization.
The event also included an autograph and photo session. The Reds’ group went on to Athens to continue their stops through Reds Country.
The 2024 season opens with the Reds hosting the Washington Nationals on March 28 and can be heard on WCJO (97.7 FM).
