While Reynolds said he intends to have a good team in Dayton, "if Edwin Encarnacion gets hurt and Adam Rosales goes to the big leagues (from Class AAA), the (Class) AA guy goes (up) and the (Class) A guy goes (up) and the Dayton guy goes (up).

"We don't sit down and say, 'On May 15, we're going to take guys from Dayton.' At the same time, this is our first step in Aball. When something happens at a higher level, we're going to take guys from Dayton."

Benzinger made no promises either, except he expected to be a better manager than a broadcaster. He initially visited Fifth Third Field as a celebrity broadcaster, and when then Reds roving instructor Chris Sabo heard him, Benzinger said his former teammate quipped, 'Marty Brenneman doesn't have anything to worry about.'"

Benzinger also said he wasn't a great player, either, "But I spent three years in A-ball and I know what it's about," he said.

Beltran, who spent parts of five seasons in the majors with the Mets, Rockies and Expos, also spent parts of 10 seasons in Class AAA.

He has coached for the Reds in the Gulf Coast League the past two seasons and said he wants not only to "instruct and inform" his players, but also to "inspire them to get to the major leagues."

Jaramillo played in the Texas Rangers' farm system, then in independent leagues before following the footsteps of his uncle, Rudy, who is the Rangers' hitting coach.

"I grew up with him," Tony said. "I was groomed by him to be a hitting coach."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com