Reds Spring Training Update

We're about halfway through the Grapefruit League season and I figured it was about time for a little update on the Reds and how their Opening Day roster is shaping up.

Infield (6)
In - Scott Hatteberg, Brandon Phillips, Alex Gonzalez, Edwin Encarnacion, Jeff Conine, Juan Castro
On the Bubble - Mark Bellhorn
Not Looking Good - Joey Votto, Jeff Keppinger, Anderson Machado, Paul Janish

Bellhorn's situation will depend on the number mix between IF/OF's. Keppinger made their decision easier by breaking a finger, Votto won't make the team because he's behind both Hatteberg and Conine, and Janish is in a similar situation at SS behind Gonzalez and Castro. Bellhorn plays mainly 2B and 3B and would be a likely fit unless the Reds decide Freel will be playing more on the infield dirt than the outfield grass.

Outfield (5)
In - Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, Ryan Freel, Josh Hamilton
On the Bubble - Bubba Crosby, Dewayne Wise
Not Looking Good - Chris Denorfia, Norris Hopper

Denorfia and Hopper's situations are looking more like Louisville because they just haven't been hitting. Crosby is hitting .348 so far this spring with a HR. Josh Hamilton is working on playing someone out of a job. After going 3-3 on Sunday, his average is up to .538.

Catchers (2)
In - David Ross
Duking it Out - Javier Valentin, Chad Moeller

Marty got Jerry Narron to admit today that they won't be carrying three catchers going into the season. Valentin has the advantage because of his pinch hitting ability off the bench. Moeller would bring a significantly better glove than either Ross or Javy though.

Rotation (5)
In - Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Kyle Lohse
On the Bubble - Paul Wilson, Eric Milton, Matt Belisle, Kirk Saarloos, Elizardo Ramirez
Not Looking Good - Homer Bailey, Bobby Livingston

Belisle looks like he makes this rotation. Saarloos hasn't actually started yet, but has been effective out of the bullpen. Both will be on the team regardless, in the bullpen if not the rotation. Paul Wilson looked pretty decent in his two starts, but struggled in his relief outing. Milton seems to be working his way out of a job. The Lizard has given up only one run and walked none in his 5 innings so far. Homer "Ace in Waiting" Bailey has been a best case scenario for the Reds. They don't want to bring him up right away, that's obvious, so his struggles to start the spring will allow them to send him to Louisville to start the season without raising too many complaints from fans.

Bullpen (7)
In - Mike Stanton, David Weathers, Todd Coffey, Bill Bray, Rheal Cormier
On the Bubble - Kerry Ligtenberg, Brian Meadows, Brian Shackelford, Dustin Hermanson, Brad Salmon
Not Looking Good - Victor Santos, Phil Dumatrait, Michael Gosling, everyone else

I'm pretty sure the Reds will go with 12 pitchers, so that means there are only two spots available in the bullpen. If the Reds keep Milton and Wilson in the rotation, those two spots will be filled by Belisle and Saarloos. Let's say both of them end up in the rotation. Things get iffy. Victor Santos has had a great spring so far: no runs, 3 hits, no walks in 5 2/3 innings, with 5 strikeouts. He also has more major league experience than a lot of the other guys fighting for a job, but no one is talking about him, not a good sign. Salmon has yet to give up a run, but has had trouble with his control. Meadows, Shackelford, and Ligtenberg have all been good. Dumatrait, Hermanson, and Gosling have only pitched one inning each so far, so they get an incomplete grade.

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