Posted by Andrew Knepper

The 2008 Cincinnati Reds Area Code Tryout kicked-off at Regis University in Denver, Colo., on June 12. Former Reds' Area Coders Kyle Lobstein, Jaff Decker and Niko Vazquez were all drafted in this past Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. The tryout at Regis, was the beginning of a process for these young high school players to be evaluated for the chance to play at the 2008 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calififornia.

Andrew Knepper
Righty Alex Blackford had the hardest fastball on the day.

The morning started off with the 60-yard dashes and Jacob Stewart from Rocky Mountain High School and Micah Green out of Cherokee Trail High School were tops amongst the position players with times of 6.44 and 6.60 respectively.

When the defensive evaluations followed, outfielders, Kristopher Kaplan and Kody Gorden out of Cimarron High School in Las Vegas, Nev., threw darts. Both showed accuracy, while Stewart and Green continued to impress with solid throws to third base and home plate.

After the scout filled outfield dispersed, when the arms and 60's were done, it was time for infielder evaluations. Corner infielders Geoff Baldwin and Bryan Peters showed natural instincts with strong arm strength. Middle infielder Tyler Black from La Cueva High School, N.M. showed good range, a smooth quick release and a strong throwing arm. Alex Allbritton also showed a fluid motion and pure natural instincts, with an extremely quick release.

Next up were the catchers and 2010 graduates Jon Shoutta and Justin Byrd showed that being an underclassman does not necessarily mean you have less of a chance to make the team. Byrd had the best pop-time of the day with an impressive 1.75 and Shoutta sat at 1.90.

With the defensive work completed, the cage rolled out and a 90 minute batting practice session took place. Left-handed Travis Cox put on a show with a sweet inside out swing that had good power to the opposite field.

The name Geoff Bladwin was heard the rest of the day when he absolutely mashed back-to-back bombs to right field with a solid compact swing.

Micah Green's lightning quick hands and nice compact swing confirmed that he can get on base and with his speed, can be a threat at the top of the order.

After the batting practice session it was time for the simulated game and with the twenty pitchers in attendance they were able to throw to three batters each.

Lighting up the radar gun was loose throwing Alex Blackford, who had the top velocity for the day with an 88 MPH fastball. Having the hardest fastball on the day, it was no surprise that his secondary pitches were strong. He fanned two of his three batters with a late biting 72 MPH hook.

AJ Carman out of Bountiful, Utah sat around 84-86 MPH with a good looking change clocked at 72 MPH.

Class of 2010 graduate Kevin Gausman from Centennial HS, Colo. hit 87 MPH a few times and had a breaking ball clocked around 72 MPH.

The Cincinnati Reds will have two more tryouts in Arizona and Nevada before their team is selected.