The Cincinnati Enquirer has their Spring Training Preview in today’s Sunday edition. I’ll include some of the things that I found interesting or discussion-worthy:
– Rotation: While discussing the Reds rotation and who will get left out (they believe that Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto are sure things) between Travis Wood, Homer Bailey, and Mike Leake. Points out that Bailey is out of options and that Wood would be the only left hander in the rotation.
– Bullpen: Discussing the possible makeup of the bullpen, believing that Francisco Cordero, Nick Masset, Bill Bray, Logan Ondrusek, and Aroldis Chapman all have the team made. He said that Jose Arredondo really impressed the team in Instructional Ball and he’s got a leg up on a spot, if he remains healthy. Also, Jared Burton, Jordan Smith, Dontrelle Willis, Daniel Ray Herrera, Sam LeCure, and Matt Maloney will be in the running for the last couple of spots.
– Bench bat: Says that it’ll be tough to ask more than Chris Heisey gave them last year, but that Jeremy Hermida may have the advantage because he’s a LH hitter.
– Leadoff: Says the Reds signed Fred Lewis with the idea that he would bat leadoff, but to get him in the lineup, Jonny Gomes will have to be on the bench.
– There is an article specifically on the leadoff spot and Fred Lewis: Says that LF could be a platoon b/c Gomes murders LH pitching, combined with Lewis, who has a .348 career OBP and the speed that Dusty Baker covets at the top of the order. Lewis isn’t a youngster (he’s 30), but Walt Jocketty said Lewis still has “upside”.
– Fay makes roster predictions…(admitting that it’s a “risky proposition”):
Starting 8: Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Paul Janish, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Gomes, Ryan Hanigan
Bench: Lewis, Ramon Hernandez, Miguel Cairo, Edgar Renteria, Hermida
Rotation: Arroyo, Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, Wood
BP: Cordero, Masset, Chapman, Bray, Ondrusek, Arredondo, Burton
Gives a list of 5 that “could break through”: Leake, Smith, Juan Francisco, Heisey, and Chris Valaika
Also gives a list of 5 players to watch:
Dontrelle Willis (Bryan Price has been impressed with Willis’ stuff in off season workouts)
Billy Hamilton (#2 prospect, stole 48 bases in 69 games and had an OBP of .368 last year in Billings, expected to play SS in Dayton this year)
Jeremy Hermida (trying to get his career back on track. Averaged 16 homers fro m’07-’09, but hit only .216 with 6 homers last year)
Todd Frazier (went into last season as #1 prospect in system, slipped to #9 after rough AAA, his versatility makes him very valuable)
Devin Mesoraco
(will likely start in AAA, but if he tears it up, Reds might be willing to trade Hernandez)
Less than 2 weeks until games start; anyone else starting to get excited?