Da Reds thread

[Vols4us]

Been awhile since posting on this thread. Start by saying I have been a Reds fan all my 58 years. Grew up 25-30 miles north of Crosley. Went to my first game at age 4. Go back for a game each summer even though I have been living back in east TN for decades. Saw them beat the Tigers on Valdez/Cairo squeeze play in June. Also played a season on the D-1 level in college. So I have a little understanding of baseball and the Reds.

Not meant to anger, but, the players have covered for Dusty all year. That's what will kill them in the playoffs. We have 2 big time starters and 3 OK others that are good most of the time through 5 innings. We have a strong bullpen with the exception of Ondrusek. The truth is Dusty sacrifices games so his players don't get down on themselves. He does things in reverse order. The other top managers do everything to win first, lock the race up, before giving the players their "experiences" in getting shelled or striking out 4 at bats in a game. Instead of giving one player a night off, he gives 2 or even 3 players at the same time. Who takes out the two hottest hitters that have carried you, Masher Ludwick and Todd Frazier, in the starting line-up on the same night - only to have to reinsert Frazier when he leaves a weak Leake in too long (again)? Dusty. One example of many just last night. Sacrifices games.

Leake is not yet ready for prime time pitching, and Homer is just now getting there. An accomplished manager would let them pitch 5-6 innings max. Both have small frames and less muscle mass. Their stamina is not yet there. They have talent, but need stamina and pitching smarts which comes with experience over time as well as S&C. Have LeCure, Simon and Arredondo ready to go when Leake, Bailey and Bronson are starting. Bronson is in the twilight years so he should give all he can for 6 innings and then go to the pen.

Who puts a guy in the 2 hole or even lead off that hits under .240 with tons of SO's and poor bunting skills if they have other options? Nobody but Dusty IMO. Who bats a .280 hitter in the 8 spot? Dusty. Who bats Frazier in the 6 hole with a .290 average and good power? Dusty. It goes on and on. But the players keep bailing him out, thank goodness.

Enough venting - go Reds!

 

[champyvol]

The fact that Hoover is not in the bullpen right now over Ondrusek is absolutely mind-boggling. He had very good numbers while he was with the big club, and his AAA numbers are simply incredible.

i agree, just don't understand why he is still with the club. we also could have had shane victorino for this guy, jocketty blew that one. hoover should be up, kid is gonna be good.

 

[champyvol]

Been awhile since posting on this thread. Start by saying I have been a Reds fan all my 58 years. Grew up 25-30 miles north of Crosley. Went to my first game at age 4. Go back for a game each summer even though I have been living back in east TN for decades. Saw them beat the Tigers on Valdez/Cairo squeeze play in June. Also played a season on the D-1 level in college. So I have a little understanding of baseball and the Reds.

Not meant to anger, but, the players have covered for Dusty all year. That's what will kill them in the playoffs. We have 2 big time starters and 3 OK others that are good most of the time through 5 innings. We have a strong bullpen with the exception of Ondrusek. The truth is Dusty sacrifices games so his players don't get down on themselves. He does things in reverse order. The other top managers do everything to win first, lock the race up, before giving the players their "experiences" in getting shelled or striking out 4 at bats in a game. Instead of giving one player a night off, he gives 2 or even 3 players at the same time. Who takes out the two hottest hitters that have carried you, Masher Ludwick and Todd Frazier, in the starting line-up on the same night - only to have to reinsert Frazier when he leaves a weak Leake in too long (again)? Dusty. One example of many just last night. Sacrifices games.

Leake is not yet ready for prime time pitching, and Homer is just now getting there. An accomplished manager would let them pitch 5-6 innings max. Both have small frames and less muscle mass. Their stamina is not yet there. They have talent, but need stamina and pitching smarts which comes with experience over time as well as S&C. Have LeCure, Simon and Arredondo ready to go when Leake, Bailey and Bronson are starting. Bronson is in the twilight years so he should give all he can for 6 innings and then go to the pen.

Who puts a guy in the 2 hole or even lead off that hits under .240 with tons of SO's and poor bunting skills if they have other options? Nobody but Dusty IMO. Who bats a .280 hitter in the 8 spot? Dusty. Who bats Frazier in the 6 hole with a .290 average and good power? Dusty. It goes on and on. But the players keep bailing him out, thank goodness.

Enough venting - go Reds!

i don't think you will get to many reds fans that think dusty is a good manager. if the reds get to the playoffs, they will have to win when cueto and latos pitch. arroyo you don't know what you will get and baily and leake are not big time pitchers. it will be hard, but maybe the reds when they get votto back will tear the cover off the ball.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

Been awhile since posting on this thread. Start by saying I have been a Reds fan all my 58 years. Grew up 25-30 miles north of Crosley. Went to my first game at age 4. Go back for a game each summer even though I have been living back in east TN for decades. Saw them beat the Tigers on Valdez/Cairo squeeze play in June. Also played a season on the D-1 level in college. So I have a little understanding of baseball and the Reds.

Not meant to anger, but, the players have covered for Dusty all year. That's what will kill them in the playoffs. We have 2 big time starters and 3 OK others that are good most of the time through 5 innings. We have a strong bullpen with the exception of Ondrusek. The truth is Dusty sacrifices games so his players don't get down on themselves. He does things in reverse order. The other top managers do everything to win first, lock the race up, before giving the players their "experiences" in getting shelled or striking out 4 at bats in a game. Instead of giving one player a night off, he gives 2 or even 3 players at the same time. Who takes out the two hottest hitters that have carried you, Masher Ludwick and Todd Frazier, in the starting line-up on the same night - only to have to reinsert Frazier when he leaves a weak Leake in too long (again)? Dusty. One example of many just last night. Sacrifices games.

Leake is not yet ready for prime time pitching, and Homer is just now getting there. An accomplished manager would let them pitch 5-6 innings max. Both have small frames and less muscle mass. Their stamina is not yet there. They have talent, but need stamina and pitching smarts which comes with experience over time as well as S&C. Have LeCure, Simon and Arredondo ready to go when Leake, Bailey and Bronson are starting. Bronson is in the twilight years so he should give all he can for 6 innings and then go to the pen.

Who puts a guy in the 2 hole or even lead off that hits under .240 with tons of SO's and poor bunting skills if they have other options? Nobody but Dusty IMO. Who bats a .280 hitter in the 8 spot? Dusty. Who bats Frazier in the 6 hole with a .290 average and good power? Dusty. It goes on and on. But the players keep bailing him out, thank goodness.

Enough venting - go Reds!

Homer Bailey is 6'3, 225. Small frame?

Homer has pitched in the Majors for 6 seasons, if he doesn't have stamina by now, he never will. Leake pitched 3 years in college and now 3 years in MLB. Same for him.

Accomplished managers let their starters throw until they are no longer effective or their pitch count is getting too high. That might be in the 5th, or that might be in 8th. To say that Leake and Bailey can only go 5-6 arbitrarily is just dumb.

Leake and Bailey are what the are, 4-5 starters, they have stamina, they have smart; they have just in all likelyhood reached their ceiling.

With the way you suggest Dusty manage, the Reds bullpen will be toast by September.

 

[emainvol]

Homer Bailey is 6'3, 225. Small frame?

Homer has pitched in the Majors for 6 seasons, if he doesn't have stamina by now, he never will. Leake pitched 3 years in college and now 3 years in MLB. Same for him.

Accomplished managers let their starters throw until they are no longer effective or their pitch count is getting too high. That might be in the 5th, or that might be in 8th. To say that Leake and Bailey can only go 5-6 arbitrarily is just dumb.

Leake and Bailey are what the are, 4-5 starters, they have stamina, they have smart; they have just in all likelyhood reached their ceiling.

With the way you suggest Dusty manage, the Reds bullpen will be toast by September.

My biggest problem with Dusty is his inability (or unwillingness) to recognize when a pitcher is ineffective. Take Leake last night, he didn't just allow the first 3-4 runs because he got unlucky. He couldn't keep the ball down and was getting hammered all over the field. You take him out before he allows the next 3-4 runs, not let him go and hope he can miraculously figure it out. That's the advantage to having the league's best bullpen, you can keep your back of the rotation starters on a shorter leash.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

Yeah, I speaking more on the arbitrary 5-6 innings. Obviously, you want to take them out before the allow a big inning. That's probably one the most important roles a manager has, determining when a pitcher needs to come out.

 

[champyvol]

My biggest problem with Dusty is his inability (or unwillingness) to recognize when a pitcher is ineffective. Take Leake last night, he didn't just allow the first 3-4 runs because he got unlucky. He couldn't keep the ball down and was getting hammered all over the field. You take him out before he allows the next 3-4 runs, not let him go and hope he can miraculously figure it out. That's the advantage to having the league's best bullpen, you can keep your back of the rotation starters on a shorter leash.

agree 100%. dusty has done this his entire coaching career and won't change.

 

[Vols4us]

Homer Bailey is 6'3, 225. Small frame?

Homer has pitched in the Majors for 6 seasons, if he doesn't have stamina by now, he never will. Leake pitched 3 years in college and now 3 years in MLB. Same for him.

Accomplished managers let their starters throw until they are no longer effective or their pitch count is getting too high. That might be in the 5th, or that might be in 8th. To say that Leake and Bailey can only go 5-6 arbitrarily is just dumb.

Leake and Bailey are what the are, 4-5 starters, they have stamina, they have smart; they have just in all likelyhood reached their ceiling.

With the way you suggest Dusty manage, the Reds bullpen will be toast by September.

If you think a website roster quote on size is Homer's real size you need to think again. I stood next to him pre-game in June. He is 6'2 - 6'3. He weighs maybe, and I mean maybe, 200-205. When I speak of frame I am talking about bone and muscle structure. He has medium bone structure, not wide shouldered, which is how he can generate a good fastball, because he has smaller leg muscles. Homer is 26 - not old enough to say he can't get stronger and better. Most taller guys take longer to develop.

Leake is a small guy and a year younger than Homer. He has not topped out yet. He has more upside. He did not get the benefit of playing and coaching of the minor leagues. They rushed him up to the bigs right after the draft before he had a clue. He has done really well with the situation, but he lost some valuable, controlled development.

Pitch count is used for development and stamina control. See Strasburg in Washington. There is nothing arbitrary about the observation I made, which relates not to development but more to winning. Those 3 pitchers give up 2-4 runs most games with rare exception by the start of the 7th inning. See their ERA's. The team is averaging 4.5 runs per game on offense. Wins and losses rotate around that stat. All three are medium framed, slender guys that use a whip approach with their arms to generate ball speed. They are not power, drive with the lower body pitchers. As the innings mount and the stamina becomes an issue, so goes the focus. To not acknowledge that stamina and focus are the primary issues is wrong. But they are the starters. So build the pen and use them accordingly. Kind of like what Sparky would do. Dusty's got what he needs to do it with the exception of Ondrusek, who can be moved down when Bray or Masset are ready. There have been weeks go by where they were concerned with some of the relievers not getting enough work. Not even close to burn outs.

Dusty is the manager this season. If he is right they will make the WS. If WJ keeps him next season then we will know that he thinks he can win it all with Dusty. Will see. Hope so. Would rather eat crow and toast my team' success than be proven right and lose.

 

[Vols4us]

Homer Bailey - 6.1 innings. Responsible for the two in scoring position with one out. Dusty goes to take him out. Problem is that Homer sat on the bench on a cool evening for a long time during the top of the inning already. Don't send him out - go to the pen to start the inning with no pressure on the reliever. At worst case go get him after that first hit. Dusty waits until the next batter hits a double to put two in scoring position with one out and the Reds ahead 3-1 after coming back against a tough Cliff Lee.

Result: Reliever Marshall walks the first batter on 4 pitches. Bases loaded. Rollins comes up and he doubles. Game tied. Guys on second and third with one out - still. Not even going to bother with what happens after this point because Dusty has already blown it. It's up to the players to bail him out again.

All year long.

 

[Appalachiamuck]

champy is good right now. if we get votto back and get rid of ondrusik. we may have a chance.

Homer Bailey - 6.1 innings. Responsible for the two in scoring position with one out. Dusty goes to take him out. Problem is that Homer sat on the bench on a cool evening for a long time during the top of the inning already. Don't send him out - go to the pen to start the inning with no pressure on the reliever. At worst case go get him after that first hit. Dusty waits until the next batter hits a double to put two in scoring position with one out and the Reds ahead 3-1 after coming back against a tough Cliff Lee.

Result: Reliever Marshall walks the first batter on 4 pitches. Bases loaded. Rollins comes up and he doubles. Game tied. Guys on second and third with one out - still. Not even going to bother with what happens after this point because Dusty has already blown it. It's up to the players to bail him out again.

All year long.

Agreed that tonight was another perfect example of poor managing. I've seen many fans say that this team is almost "Dusty-proof". So far this season, they have done a great job living up to that. If they had a legit lead off man and one more really solid starter they'd be 100% Dusty-proof. The bullpen is not in any way on the verge of getting burnt out. I am way more concerned with these younger pitchers not having anything left come the post season.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

If you think a website roster quote on size is Homer's real size you need to think again. I stood next to him pre-game in June. He is 6'2 - 6'3. He weighs maybe, and I mean maybe, 200-205. When I speak of frame I am talking about bone and muscle structure. He has medium bone structure, not wide shouldered, which is how he can generate a good fastball, because he has smaller leg muscles. Homer is 26 - not old enough to say he can't get stronger and better. Most taller guys take longer to develop.

Leake is a small guy and a year younger than Homer. He has not topped out yet. He has more upside. He did not get the benefit of playing and coaching of the minor leagues. They rushed him up to the bigs right after the draft before he had a clue. He has done really well with the situation, but he lost some valuable, controlled development.

Pitch count is used for development and stamina control. See Strasburg in Washington. There is nothing arbitrary about the observation I made, which relates not to development but more to winning. Those 3 pitchers give up 2-4 runs most games with rare exception by the start of the 7th inning. See their ERA's. The team is averaging 4.5 runs per game on offense. Wins and losses rotate around that stat. All three are medium framed, slender guys that use a whip approach with their arms to generate ball speed. They are not power, drive with the lower body pitchers. As the innings mount and the stamina becomes an issue, so goes the focus. To not acknowledge that stamina and focus are the primary issues is wrong. But they are the starters. So build the pen and use them accordingly. Kind of like what Sparky would do. Dusty's got what he needs to do it with the exception of Ondrusek, who can be moved down when Bray or Masset are ready. There have been weeks go by where they were concerned with some of the relievers not getting enough work. Not even close to burn outs.

Dusty is the manager this season. If he is right they will make the WS. If WJ keeps him next season then we will know that he thinks he can win it all with Dusty. Will see. Hope so. Would rather eat crow and toast my team' success than be proven right and lose.

So what is he? 6'2 or a tall pitcher who takes a while to develop. Either way, Homer is not considered "tall", more like the perfect height for a RHP. Plus, I'll trust the listed measurements on several sites over your guess of his measurables. Sure he can improve marginally, but after this long in the MLB, you know what you are going to get out of him. He might improve to a decent 3, but it's more likely he will always be a 4/5 guy. He is pretty much physically maxed out.

Saying they can only go 5-6 IP is completely arbitrary because you take all the context out of the situation. So if one of these pitchers has thrown 6 scoreless, with 80 pitches, you take him out based on your made up number of IP? Sure, they may struggle in later innings, but it's insane to say they should come out after a pre-determined amount of IP.

And just to shoot more holes in your theory, look at Homer's numbers in the 5th inning on.

Split          G   IP ER  ERA  PA  AB  R  H 2B 3B HR SB CS BB SO SO/BB   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS  TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
1st inning    24 24.0 11 4.12 105  97 11 25  4  1  6  5  0  7 23  3.29 .258 .314 .505 .819  49   0   1  0  0   0   1  .279   106   111
2nd inning    24 24.0 10 3.75 100  92 11 25  5  1  2  1  0  7 17  2.43 .272 .320 .413 .733  38   3   0  0  1   0   1  .311    87   107
3rd inning    24 24.0  9 3.38 101  90 13 25  3  1  2  6  2 10 14  1.40 .278 .347 .400 .747  36   4   0  0  1   0   1  .307    92   109
4th inning    23 22.1 21 8.46 105  96 19 32  4  3  5  0  0  7 16  2.29 .333 .375 .594 .969  57   2   0  1  1   1   2  .355   144   151
5th inning    21 19.2  8 3.66  88  79  9 23  3  1  4  0  1  6 14  2.33 .291 .352 .506 .859  40   1   2  0  1   0   0  .306   117   130
6th inning    19 17.1  5 2.60  76  68  7 18  4  0  2  0  0  5 16  3.20 .265 .333 .412 .745  28   1   2  1  0   1   2  .320    91    99
7th inning    12  9.2  3 2.79  41  38  1 11  1  0  0  1  0  1  6  6.00 .289 .300 .316 .616  12   0   0  1  1   0   0  .333    60    74
8th inning     5  5.0  1 1.80  19  19  1  4  1  0  0  0  0  0        4 .211 .211 .263 .474   5   0   0  0  0   0   0  .267    21    36
9th inning     1  1.0  0 0.00   4   4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0        1 .000 .000 .000 .000   0   0   0  0  0   0   1  .000  -100  -100
Innings 1-3   24 72.0 30 3.75 306 279 35 75 12  3 10 12  2 24 54  2.25 .269 .327 .441 .768 123   7   1  0  2   0   3  .300    95   109
Innings 4-6   23 59.1 34 5.16 269 243 35 73 11  4 11  0  1 18 46  2.56 .300 .356 .514 .870 125   4   4  2  2   2   4  .330   120   130
Innings 7-9   12 15.2  4 2.30  64  61  2 15  2  0  0  1  0  1 11 11.00 .246 .254 .279 .533  17   0   0  1  1   0   1  .294    38    55

If anything, he gets stronger after the 5th. He's just a back of the rotation guy who may be a 3 during his prime years, 27-30. He most likely isn't going to magically develop into a 1/2.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

Oh, and they use their leg to drive just fine. Not sure where you are getting that they aren't. Their arms are supposed to look like whips, that's the definition of good arm action.

Bailey

Leake

They both have good separation and decent leg drive.

For comparison, here is Felix.

 

[Vols4us]

Now compare them to the Halladay and Lee as current examples. Quad and body pitchers that provide the whip.

I know Homer has done some good work against two quality teams in the Dodgers and Cardinals in his last 10 starts. Just not so much lately.

Is it OK that he makes it through the 7th inning in 50% of his games and only 5 games making it through 8? Did not realize his 4th inning was so bad. Could that be why he only got past 7 innings 5 times? Dusty would have used a PH by then if they were behind. Just curious - what is the percentage of games going past 6 innings for Cueto and Latos?

My point about stamina is on his stats on the Reds website. In his last 5 outings he has only made it past the start of the 7th once - last night. During those last 5 starts he has averaged 5 innings and over 4.0 ERA with a 1-2 record. The previous 5 were better. They also came around and immediately after the AS break. That is my point - his lack of stamina is beginning to show and yet he has 7-8 more starts ahead of him. Recognize the trend and be ready with the hook.

I am 6'1" and 207 lbs. I go by the "in person" eye test in June. Homer is my weight or less. he has a smaller frame and body than me. He has longer legs and arms. He might have started ST somewhere in the vicinity of 225 - don't know and can't say. But I trust a roster stat like that about as much as I do listed weights and heights for football players. Ball park estimates.

You make some good points on separation and leg drive. The better pitchers tend to have it. Homer and Leake have it in the early innings. But they tend to lose the coordination of the leg drive with the upper body later in the game, which helps (along with losing focus) to cause them start grooving pitches up instead of hitting their spots down in the zone. It's stamina - which is related to strength and muscle mass, in addition to conditioning that causes that and a lack of focus. It was Cueto's problem until this season. Latos is just now working out of the issue. Bronson has learned to use his high leg kick to keep his rhythm and simply changes speeds and arm angle to keep hitters guessing as long as he can. Leake and Bailey still depend on spotting their fastball to keep hitters off balance. When that goes up and over the meat of the plate they are in trouble.

In Leake's last 5 games he has the same record as Homer with a ERA close to 4.5. He did have a CG gem. He also got bombed out of one in the second inning and only made it 4 in hist last one while giving up 7 runs. But just like Homer he averages 6 innings per game.

By contrast Bronson has a 4-1 record in the same past 5 games. His ERA is under 4.0 and he went slight longer at around 6.2 innings. He had the benefit of going against lesser teams with 3 wins total against the Cubs and Rockies. But his style also helps him hold up better over the course of a season as proven by his total innings pitched over the last 10 years being near the top in all MLB.

I respect your opinion and you have made some good points. I hope you can mine.

 

[champyvol]

i think homer should be moved in the offseason to make room for chappy to start. honestly if i were the manager i would make the move now. broxton to closer chappy to number 5 and bailey to bench. have seen enough to know that he will never have the control to be more than a 5th starter, and there are better out there.

 

[Appalachiamuck]

Do we know anything about Madson being back next year? I like moving someone to make room for Chapman, but if Dusty's back (and he will be) don't you think he'll want to keep him at closer?

If the Reds add another strong arm and a leadoff hitter (or Stubbs makes some serious strides) they will be ready to roll for several years to come.

 

[champyvol]

Do we know anything about Madson being back next year? I like moving someone to make room for Chapman, but if Dusty's back (and he will be) don't you think he'll want to keep him at closer?

If the Reds add another strong arm and a leadoff hitter (or Stubbs makes some serious strides) they will be ready to roll for several years to come.

madsen probably won't be back. broxton may move into the closer spot. stubbs needs to be replaced, the guy just can't hit the ball he is a bench player defensive replacement at best. stubbs and homer could be a package deal heading out of cincy somewhere.

 

[Vols4us]

I agree on Madson - his was a one year deal. Broxton with Marshall as the set up guy. Hoover will be there as well. They will look at MAdson to make sure, but I think they really want Masset and Bray to recover and join the pen again.

Homer needs packaged with Stubbs and Ondrusek. Would love to see them package those guys and go get Chase Headley. Move Frazier to LF and put Heisey in CF until Hamilton gets ready. WJ said Hamilton will be working some in the developmental league during the offseason in the OF.

Chappy needs to start. He has some wicked breaking stuff under development. Then they will have 3 power pitchers and 2 junk ballers to mix and match. I think Dusty stays only if the get past the first round of the playoffs. WJ is a very sharp GM - can't get much past him.

 

[emainvol]

I agree on Madson - his was a one year deal. Broxton with Marshall as the set up guy. Hoover will be there as well. They will look at MAdson to make sure, but I think they really want Masset and Bray to recover and join the pen again.

Homer needs packaged with Stubbs and Ondrusek. Would love to see them package those guys and go get Chase Headley. Move Frazier to LF and put Heisey in CF until Hamilton gets ready. WJ said Hamilton will be working some in the developmental league during the offseason in the OF.

Chappy needs to start. He has some wicked breaking stuff under development. Then they will have 3 power pitchers and 2 junk ballers to mix and match. I think Dusty stays only if the get past the first round of the playoffs. WJ is a very sharp GM - can't get much past him.

I need to see a lot more out of Broxton before I declare him ready to be the 9th inning guy for a contender. His peripherals aren't that good, which suggests he is bound for regression.

 

[Vols4us]

I need to see a lot more out of Broxton before I declare him ready to be the 9th inning guy for a contender. His peripherals aren't that good, which suggests he is bound for regression.

You may well be right. I think he needs to get in shape to improve. Guy is dragging around some serious pounds that are hurting IMO. That's who they appear to be opening it up for along with a try-out with the others and any trades WJ can pull off. They wanted Marshall to be the guy but saw that he would be a very good set-up/hold guy and an average closer. I know we can't hold on to both Bailey and Leake as starters. One has to go. Leake seems to be doing his best to be that guy the way he pitched today. I don't think they can hold on to Chappy if they don't let him try the starter route. He wants it, has been working to prepare himself for it, and is dialing back his fast ball to the 97-100 range for more control along with the breaking pitches.

 

[Vols4us]

Top 5 MiL Reds' prospects of the top 20 came out today. Hamilton, Stephenson, Cingrani, Corcino and Gregorious. I can't help but think Cingrani and Hamilton will be in the bigs for good in 2014. Cingrani is the lefty starter we need in addition to Chappy. Corcino also looked very good in the game I saw him pitch this past season. Hamilton is headed to AZ fall league and will be working in CF and LF. Lead off guy of the future.

 

[emainvol]

Top 5 MiL Reds' prospects of the top 20 came out today. Hamilton, Stephenson, Cingrani, Corcino and Gregorious. I can't help but think Cingrani and Hamilton will be in the bigs for good in 2014. Cingrani is the lefty starter we need in addition to Chappy. Corcino also looked very good in the game I saw him pitch this past season. Hamilton is headed to AZ fall league and will be working in CF and LF. Lead off guy of the future.

If Cingrani is ready for next year and Chapman starts, the rotation has the potential to be pretty sick. I'm excited to see how good Gregorius is when he adjusts to major league pitching.

 

[Vols4us]

If Cingrani is ready for next year and Chapman starts, the rotation has the potential to be pretty sick. I'm excited to see how good Gregorius is when he adjusts to major league pitching.

I think once they sew this up we will see Cingrani start. I think he is a stud. There are a couple of starters and relievers that will be great trade bait for WJ to get them another bat or lead off guy instead of Stubbs. Didi looks good to me, and so does Rodriguez. If he hadn't hurt his hand mid-season his numbers would have been sick. I see guys llike them at the plate with no head bobbing and pulling out - doing it right. Then I'm watching Stubbs and sometimes even Bruce acting like little leaguers with the bat in their hands. In the end I know the young pups are unproven, but man I would love to see guys play everyday that are not afraid of the ball. Eventually I expect Bruce will work out, but he has got to learn how to hit for average and go the other way.

 

[95 Vol Alum]

Reds magic number is 8.

 

[95 Vol Alum]

Reds magic number now 7 after Cards loss last night.

 

[champyvol]

go reds magic #5