Sam LeCure entered the fifth inning of spring training action yesterday against his former team the Cincinnati Reds. His Arizona Diamondbacks team were drubbing the Reds 9-1.
It was a meaningless spring training made even more meaningless by the Reds’ failure to furnish a starting pitcher who couldn’t get more than three outs without surrendering seven runs.
But for LeCure, the inning of work had to be personal regardless of the score.
LeCure was left off the Reds opening day roster last year. The Reds decided to keep free agent flop Kevin Gregg among others instead of LeCure. This was the same Sam LeCure who has posted a 3.50 ERA in 320.2 innings over six seasons with the Reds. The same Sam LeCure who was part of the bullpen for two NL Central champion Reds’ teams.
The Reds would quickly release an ineffective Gregg shortly into their 98-loss 2015 season. The team would not promote LeCure at that time. Even after the Reds season was obviously going down the drain in historic fashion, the Reds still waited to promote LeCure.
LeCure was under contract for $1.85-million in 2015. The Reds let LeCure pitch in 41 minor league games to start the 2015 season. He would have to wait until the Reds’ Game No. 118 to make his season debut.
LeCure finished the 2015 season with a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings. He landed with the Diamondbacks on a minor league contract this offseason and has a chance to make a team headed in the opposite direction of a dysfunctional Reds’ team.
It was fitting that the first Reds’ batter LeCure faced yesterday was Juan Duran. The Reds have allowed Duran to take away at-bats from other outfield prospects throughout spring training despite the 80-game regular season ban Duran is under for PEDs.
It was also fitting that the second batter LeCure faced was Jose Peraza, who will likely always be the face of a failed franchise for being the centerpiece of the trade that sent the face of the franchise Todd Frazier out of Cincinnati for good.
True to his form with the Reds, LeCure induced grounders from both Duran and Peraza.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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