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Capping Day 2, Reds focus on pitching, athletes

Club begins Rounds 6-10 by drafting college right-hander Herget

CINCINNATI -- More often than not, the Reds try to accumulate pitching each year in the MLB Draft. This year, the organization will certainly add pitching but also placed a premium on adding talent with athleticism.

"Most farm systems are cyclical," Reds senior director of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said following Day 2 of the Draft on Tuesday. "You may have a couple of Drafts and signing periods where you somehow get heavier in one direction. I tried to address it with some athletes this year. We'll try and do that again [Wednesday]. The last few years have been heavier on the pitching. Sometimes it lines up that way. All teams take so much pitching."

The Draft concludes on Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at noon ET.

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So far, Buckley is pleased that the Reds have gotten "a little bit of everything," through the first two days of picks.

"We all shop at the same mall, you know?" Buckley said. "You lose some guys you'd like to have gotten. We think it's going well and hope we can finish strong tomorrow."

Here is a roundup of the Reds' selections in rounds 6-10 on Tuesday:

Video: Draft Report: Jimmy Herget, College Pitcher

Round 6: RHP Jimmy Herget, University of South Florida
Looking to the college ranks again with the sixth-round pick and No. 175 overall, the Reds added another pitcher in Herget.

During his senior season, the Tampa, Fla., native was 10-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 17 games, including 16 starts. Over his 101 2/3 innings, the 21-year-old allowed 88 hits and 36 walks with 113 strikeouts.

After high school, Herget was drafted in the 40th round by the Braves but chose to go to college instead.

Tweet from @hergee20: It is such a honor to be picked by the @Reds in the 6th round can't wait to get started

Round 7: RHP Jordan Ramsey, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Ramsey was a starting pitcher in his junior year in 2014 but dealt with blisters and poor outings and saw his Draft stock plummet to the 32nd round for the Yankees. He stayed in college but was converted to UNC-Wilmington's closer this season as a senior.

"I struggled during my junior year. I was bothered by a fingernail issue," Ramsey said. "I didn't really get it going. I was fortunate to be drafted, but I wasn't satisfied with the way my college career would have come to an end. Coach sprung the idea of me being the closer this season. I did it after my freshman year in the Cape Cod League. It was a lot of fun."

In the 2015 season, Ramsey was 8-2 with a 1.69 ERA and seven saves. Over his 48 innings, the 22-year-old gave up 33 hits and 11 walks while striking out 62. He will get another chance to start with the Reds.

Video: Draft Report: Jordan Ramsey

Round 8: SS Mitch Piatnik, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota (Fla.)
Piatnik finished this past season at junior college, batting .291 (43-for-148) with one home run and 13 RBIs in 37 games at Manatee. Piatnik transferred after his freshman season at Stetson University, and is signed to play at LSU in 2016 if he doesn't sign a professional contract.

There are pro baseball ties already through his father, Mike Piatnik, who was drafted by the Twins in the 32nd round of the 1981 Draft. Mike Piatnik played two seasons as an infielder in the Minor Leagues, and is now a Major League scout for the D-backs.

Round 9: RHP Sarkis Ohanian, Duke University
Ohanian was one of Duke's top relievers during his senior season in 2015. The right-hander appeared in 25 games with a 4-1 record and career-best 1.97 ERA. He also had career bests in strikeouts (42) and walks allowed (11).

Ohanian turns 22 on Aug. 6 and is listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. He is from Boynton Beach, Fla.

"He came down for our Draft workout and did very well," Buckley said.

Round 10: OF Zach Shields, UNC Wilmington (NC)
A teammate of Ramsey's, Shields batted .355/.393/.445 with three homers and 38 RBIs in 57 games for UNC-Wilmington. The 295th overall pick also also stole 17 bases.

With Spartanburg Methodist Junior College the previous year, Shields batted .353 in 63 games and helped his team make consecutive trips to the junior college World Series.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast.
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