It has sure been a while since the Reds last made the playoffs or even won the division. In the 6 team NL Central, it usually boils down to Pittsburgh and the Reds, and who will finish in sixth. That scenario will play out once again, barring some sort of a miracle and both those teams finish above five hundred.
The 2008 season went as planned for the Reds, more of a development type season, and really for management to see who they have for the future and who can become expendable. Three players top the list for the Reds’ future, first basemen Joey Votto, starting pitcher Edinson Volquez and outfielder Jay Bruce.
That was quite the deal for the Reds to acquire Volquez in a pretty fair trade involving two young prospects. So far the Reds have won that trade because Volquez pitched like a veteran. His 17-6 rookie record was the lone bright spot for the Reds, and for fans to even show up at the ball park. The key now for Cincinnati and Volquez is to at least improve on last year’s numbers.
One, it will show Volquez in what direction the Reds are headed in, and if he sees himself as the leader of the pitching staff. Two, Volquez should at least maintain last year’s statistics or slightly improve on them to show the Reds that he can pitch consistently and deserves a long term contract.
Joey Votto, one of the rising stars in the Major’s has worked hard and has earned the right to be the everyday starting first basemen for the Reds. So far in Votto’s short major league career, he has hit 28 homeruns with 101 RBI in just 175 games. He has also maintained a solid .309 batting average. Votto is now pretty much in the same boat as Volquez, and the upcoming season could be measured as a make or break for either players’ career in Cincinnati depending on how well they play.
In the outfield, the reds do have a sound prospect that really shone last year with 21 homeruns and 52 RBI. If Jay Bruce can put up numbers like last season he will most definitely be a part of the future. He really responded well with more playing time and looked comfortable at the plate. At the tender age of just 21, Bruce can expand his game a lot and learn so much. He can get away with a few mistakes here and there which is okay, as long as he learns from them and doesn’t fall into a slump.
The pitching staff of the Reds really isn’t potent or strong at all. Other than Volquez, Bronson Arroyo was the only other starter to have at least 15 victories. Arroyo can do that again this year and is a reliable pitcher, but is inconsistent in winning games.
One pitcher who is sure to get the boot if his pitching doesn’t improve is Aaron Harang. After putting up back to back 16 win season with the Reds, he went 6-17 last season with a horrible 4.78 ERA. If Harang could get back to his normal self, then the Reds have their pitching staff to build upon with Volquez.
If things don’t go the way the Reds management expects with Harang he will become expendable and could be traded to a contender during the trade deadline. It won’t be the worst thing for the Reds to trade Harang even if he puts up a 15 win season. The better he pitches the more the Reds can demand in a trade. Through one trade the Reds can lay the foundation for the future.
Offensively the Reds will struggle with their batting lineup. First in the catchers’ position, Ramon Hernandez will be the opening day starter, after that it is totally up to his performance to decide whether he plays every day. In Baltimore, the Orioles couldn’t wait to unload Hernandez because he just sat on his contract and didn’t provide the offense the Orioles expected. Defensively he was just okay, and could have done a better job with his pitchers.
In the infield a lot of the Reds’ past draft picks and prospects will occupy those positions except for first base which is easily Joey Votto’s job. A lot of those younger players will get to play if they can perform at a consistent level. So, don’t expect a lot of offense or defense from the infield, and the Reds could end up at the bottom of the league in fielding percentage.
The outfield will be made up of a lot of youngster’s including Jay Bruce. The only player with experience is Willy Taveras, and he is a weak bat in the lineup and hit just one homerun last season. He did steal 68 bases which was amazing, but getting on base is a struggle for him, and if he can get better with the bat, this guy will be dangerous. It looks like that won’t happen anytime soon because he has been bounced from team to team, and has played on three teams in four years. He has also played in two World Series’, but lost out on both.
The 2009 Reds look destined for another bottom place finish, but they do have some young players on their team that should only get better, and are worth watching.
POSITIVE --> SOLID YOUTH ON TEAM IN VOLQUEZ, VOTTO, AND BRUCE.
NEGATIVE --> BULLPEN IS WEAK, AARON HARANG NEEDS TO STEP UP, AND THE BATTING ORDER WILL LACK IN PRODUCING RUNS.
X-FACTOR --> JAY BRUCE AND JOEY VOTTO ARE THE MAIN SOURCES OF OFFENSE, AND IF THESE TWO DON’T PRODUCE FOR SOME REASON, THEN THE REDS WILL BE EVEN WORSE.
SLEEPER PICK --> DON’T SEE ANYONE STEPPING UP TO GET NOTICED.
PREDICTION --> EITHER FIFTH OR SIXTH IN THE DIVISION, AND WILL PROBABLY EARN 68-78 VICTORIES.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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