Rainout shouldn't faze Reds' DeSclafani
CINCINNATI -- His nickname is "Disco," a moniker derived from his surname, but certainly not befitting Anthony DeSclafani's personality.
It's hard to fathom him burning up the dance floor in bell-bottoms amid flashing lights.
Off the field, the 25-year old Cincinnati Reds right-hander is polite and personable.
On the mound, he’s stoic, almost statuesque.
"When it's game-day, work-day, it's all about job at hand, Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He has very little to say. He's very focused."
DeSclafani's was scheduled to start on Saturday before the game was postponed following a 4-hour, 13-minute rain delay.
He remains on schedule to start Sunday's series finale against the Chicago Cubs, in which he will face right-hander Jake Arrieta (2-1, 1.74 ERA), who was Saturday’s scheduled starter.
When the Reds acquired DeSclafani from the Miami Marlins along with catcher Chad Wallach in exchange for fiery right-hander Mat Latos, they weren't sure what to expect.
The Latos trade was perceived to be a move for the future and financially-focused. The reports were positive on DeSclafani, who had gone 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 13 appearances including five starts for the Marlins in 2014.
Over 73 minor-league appearances, he was 26-16 with a 3.23 ERA with 304 strikeouts in 354 1/3 innings.
"It would've been impossible to expect this type of performance in his first three outings," Price said. "Certainly he has the ability to do what he's doing.
"But this is his first opportunity to be a regular in a starting rotation."
Through three starts, DeSclafani was 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA with two earned runs allowed in 21 innings with four walks and 16 strikeouts.
DeSclafani enters Sunday's game with a 15-inning scoreless streak.
"He's been great," Price said. "You can't be a quality major league starting pitcher having to get through a major league lineup three times without being able to command your stuff.
"We're seeing better command than we saw in Spring Training, a better changeup than we saw in the spring. We knew we were getting a confident, aggressive kid."
Not even charismatic catcher Brayan Pena can get DeSclafani to crack a smile.
On April 14 in Chicago, Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro hit a come-backer to the mound which knocked off DeSclafani's glove.
Undeterred, the New Jersey native calmly tossed the ball to first baseman Joey Votto for the out. Pena went to the mound where DeSclafani's stone-faced expression remained intact.
DeSclafani, Miami's minor league pitcher of the year in 2013, said he doesn't plan to alter his demeanor any time soon.
"I'm just trying to get better," he said. "You don't ever want to let off the pedal. Up here at this level, things can turn really quick. I just want to keep the same mentality and approach."
Added Price: "He knows his place as a young player in this league: eyes and ears wide open, mouth securely shut. He certainly makes us feel like we did really well in trade."
NOTES: Saturday's postponement was the 10th since Great American Ball Park opened in 2003. ... Reds C Devin Mesoraco is still "several days" away from catching a bullpen session, according to manager Bryan Price. Mesoraco, who's been dealing with a hip impingement, has made two pinch-hit appearances since April 12. ... Cubs RHP Pedro Strop missed two games because of an infected foot. It is not considered serious.