The Reds had a lot to be excited about entering the 2008 season, they had the top minor league prospect in Jay Bruce, and 3 others with all-star potential in Joey Votto, Homer Bailey and Johnny Ceuto. Their Ace, Aaron Harang was coming off a career year and they had brought in Dusty Baker during the off-season to help lead the team back to the play-offs. What followed was a bit of a dissapointment, Bruce and Bailey started back in the minors, Harang couldn't find the strikezone, and Baker conflicted with management over how to handle the team's young players. On the bright side, Edison Volquez became a dominant force in the NL and should stay that way for a long time.
Projected Lineup:
C - Ramon Hernandez
1B - Joey Votto
2B - Brandon Phillips
SS - Alex Gonzalez
3B - Edwin Encarnacion
LF - Chris Dickerson
CF - Willy Taveras
RF - Jay Bruce
Projected Rotation:
#1 - Edison Volquez
#2 - Aaron Harang
#3 - Bronson Arroyo
#4 - Johnny Cueto
#5 - Micah Owings
Closer - Francisco Cordero
Position Battles:
SS - Alex Gonzalez was the starter until he missed all of 2008 with a compression fracture in his knee. If he has setbacks or struggles, both Jeff Keppinger and Jerry Hairston could see playing time.
#5 Starter - Micah Owings is the front-runner for the position, but strong play out of Homer Bailey could send Owings to a relief role or the minor leagues. Bailey, once a top prospect, has struggled over the last two years, but has shown improved velocity and control-- he may be poised for a breakout.
2009 Outlook: The Reds have built a promising young lineup anchored by Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce. They will have no problem scoring runs, and Veteran Ramon Hernandez will give them a viable catching option for the first time in a few years.
Cincinnati's rotation had a bit of a roller coaster ride in 2008, they saw the emergence of Edison Volquez as one of the NL's top pitchers, but Aaron Harang regressed badly; Johnny Ceuto was inconsistent all season and should straighten out now that he has a year of experience under his belt. Their bullpen is a different story, outside of Francisco Cordero the Reds don't have a solid relief pitcher. A bullpen anchored by David Weathers won't get you very far these days.
Projected Finish: 4th Place, NL Central
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