ANDERSON, S.C. -- After "extended spring training" former Anderson baseball standout Blair Carson has been assigned to the Cincinnati Reds' Single A affiliate, the Dayton Dragons.
Carson, an Anderson native selected by the Reds out of Anderson University in the 42nd round in June, 2009, appeared in the Dragon's Sunday afternoon 7-3 road loss at Lansing. The 6-foot-2 right-hander tossed an inning of relief, giving up three hits. Splitting time between teams in 2009, Carson posted a 2-7 record with a 4.50 ERA, while appearing in 15 games and starting 13 contests. He tossed 68 innings and struck out 39 batters and walked just 13.
Dayton is located approximately 50 miles north of Cincinnati and is affiliated with the Midwest League, along with teams such as South Bend (Ind.), Peoria (Ill.) and Fort Wayne (Ind.). The Dragons' skipper is former major leaguer Todd Benzinger, a Cincinnati-area native who played for the Reds from 1989-'91 and was the first baseman on the Reds' 1990 World Series champions. Dayton's pitching coach is Tony Fossas, who enjoyed a 21-year professional playing career and pitched in the major leagues for all or parts of 12 seasons with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Rangers, Brewers, Mariners, Cubs, and Yankees. Ken Griffey, Sr., is in his first season as the hitting coach for the Dragons. Griffey is a member of the Reds Hall-of-Fame, three-time National League All-Star and Most Valuable Player of the 1980 Major League All-Star Game, former Major League hitting coach, and the right fielder on the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970's that won World Series titles in 1975-76. Dayton Dragons Web Site
