Opening day is two weeks from Monday and the Reds have to make up their minds of a few key spots. Unlike years past where there were multiple spots in the rotation and bullpen up for grabs. The outfield depth appears deeper than most expected and the bench is taking shape. Here's how things stand at this point.
NO. 5 STARTER
Candidates: Micah Owings, Homer Bailey, Nick Masset
| Player |
P |
GP |
GS |
W |
L |
R |
ERA |
IP |
SO |
BB |
AVG |
| Micah Owings |
SP |
4 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1.23 |
14.2 |
16 |
2 |
.157 |
| Nick Masset |
RP |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
6.75 |
10.2 |
6 |
4 |
.370 |
| Homer Bailey |
SP |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0.90 |
10.0 |
8 |
1 |
.270 |
Analysis: One look at the numbers tell you that this is a two-horse race. Owings is looking like the 2007 version and is uncharacteristically striking out batters at an impressive clip. I saw him pitch earlier against the Red Sox and was very impressed. Bailey has done everything the Reds have asked of him and then some. Remember, he is only 22 years old soon. He's starting to signs of a breakout. Common sense would tell you one of these two would claim the No. 5 job with perhaps the other starting the season in the bullpen (assuming the team goes with 12-man staff). However, Masset (acquired in last year's Ken Griffey trade) is out of options. He has major league stuff and would never clear waivers. The Reds could opt to keep him on the roster rather than lose him without getting anything in return. Barring injury the Reds will have a surplus of pitching and that could lead to some sort of trade popping up to.
LEFT FIELD/RESERVE OUTFIELDERS
Candidates: Chris Dickerson, Jonny Gomes, Jacque Jones, Norris Hopper, Laynce Nix, Daryle Ward
| Player |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
AVG |
TB |
SLG |
| Jacque Jones |
26 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.077 |
2 |
.077 |
| Jonny Gomes |
24 |
4 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
.333 |
19 |
.792 |
| Daryle Ward |
21 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
.190 |
7 |
.333 |
| Laynce Nix |
24 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
.250 |
15 |
.625 |
| Norris Hopper |
26 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.154 |
4 |
.154 |
| Chris Dickerson |
26 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
.346 |
17 |
.654 |
Analysis: Assuming the Reds go with 12-man pitching staff (likely) that only leaves them five spots on the bench. Ryan Hanigan, Jeff Keppinger, and Jerry Hairston are all locks at this point. It appears as if that barring a trade the club will start the season with a platoon in left between Chris Dickerson and Jonny Gomes, who can also play first base and right field. That leaves 1 to 2 spots for Jones, Hopper, Nix, and Ward to compete for. Nix is having the best spring and is easily the most versatile.
cf0b5ebf-9ac2-46de-b841-817ad5095b2d|1|5.0
MLB
reds, micah owings, homer bailey, nick masset, chris dickerson, jonny gomes, norris hopper, laynce nix, daryle ward, jacque jones