Reds Tidbits (2007 Season)

[Jaxbuck]

Don't think it's fake... Link

Holy fucking shit. It's not everyday when people can actually suprise me and lower my view of my fellow humans more than it already is. Unreal.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Yea, let's keep our fingers crossed. This club has had tough luck developing major league players. I wonder how far along Stubbs (our #1 pick last year) is in his development.

I read somewhere that he was our 4th rated prospect...Not sure if that is good or bad...

 

[Jaxbuck]

I read somewhere that he was our 4th rated prospect...Not sure if that is good or bad...

I think when they do those ML rankings they go by biggest upside(very subjective). He could have the 4th or so highest ceiling in all our minors, that wouldn't suprise me. I don't think its got anything to do with how many guys there are who could all be servicible MLB types and who are closer to making it up to Cincy. J Cueto might not have the star potential of a Stubbs but hes a pitcher and a lot closer to helping us out in the near future. Right now to me he is a more important prospect than Stubbs but I don't think thats what they go by. Man you think recruiting stars are subjective.:)

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I think when they do those ML rankings they go by biggest upside(very subjective). He could have the 4th or so highest ceiling in all our minors, that wouldn't suprise me. I don't think its got anything to do with how many guys there are who could all be servicible MLB types and who are closer to making it up to Cincy. J Cueto might not have the star potential of a Stubbs but hes a pitcher and a lot closer to helping us out in the near future. Right now to me he is a more important prospect than Stubbs but I don't think thats what they go by. Man you think recruiting stars are subjective.:)

Yeah I have never really followed the minors, since a little last year and ever since I have started visiting the reds forum...

I agree that J Cueto has a nice upside, and I think if we can put together a nice draft this year we might have something going in the minors...

 

[Bestbuck36]

I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling in my gut that this years pitching staff is going to end up being our strong point. I guess we could look at this both ways.

a. The staff settled in and did a great job this season, or

b. The offense is so pathetic the were worse than our bad pitching.

Please don't let it end up being b.

What is setting my alarms off I guess is the fact that we still have a glaring need for a Right handed power hitter. EE will probably put up 20-25 HR's this season if he's healthy. If Jr. and Dunn have an even remotely bad season though, our pitching staff will have to maintain a 3.4 or lower ERA to reach .500. Thats not a very reasonable goal imo.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling in my gut that this years pitching staff is going to end up being our strong point. I guess we could look at this both ways.

a. The staff settled in and did a great job this season, or

b. The offense is so pathetic the were worse than our bad pitching.

Please don't let it end up being b.

What is setting my alarms off I guess is the fact that we still have a glaring need for a Right handed power hitter. EE will probably put up 20-25 HR's this season if he's healthy. If Jr. and Dunn have an even remotely bad season though, our pitching staff will have to maintain a 3.4 or lower ERA to reach .500. Thats not a very reasonable goal imo.

I honestly am not sure about our lineup just yet...

Here is a look at what we will probably see...

Freel
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
EE
Hatte
Ross
Gonzalez

I think you will get speed and runs from the top 2, if Griffey and Dunn can produce some hits and homeruns they will get their fair share of RBI's and if EE can have a breakout type season with a solid bat like Hatte protecting him he should get pitches, then if Ross has another season like last year we will be pretty solid. I think we will see lots of small ball from the top 2 and Gonzalez, but it sucks having a guy in the 8 hole that is almost like a non-threat and then the pitcher so that is almost an automatic 2 outs in a row...

 

[Jaxbuck]

I honestly am not sure about our lineup just yet...

Here is a look at what we will probably see...

Freel
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
EE
Hatte
Ross
Gonzalez

I think you will get speed and runs from the top 2, if Griffey and Dunn can produce some hits and homeruns they will get their fair share of RBI's and if EE can have a breakout type season with a solid bat like Hatte protecting him he should get pitches, then if Ross has another season like last year we will be pretty solid. I think we will see lots of small ball from the top 2 and Gonzalez, but it sucks having a guy in the 8 hole that is almost like a non-threat and then the pitcher so that is almost an automatic 2 outs in a row...

I don't have anywhere near the faith in JR at this point in his career as some do. Also I would flip Phillips and hatte, Phillips has said and demonstrated he doesn't do well in the 2 hole. hatte's OBP works well there imo.

My personal lineup would be

Deno/Freel CF
Hatte 1B
Dunn LF
EE 3B
Jr RF
Phillips 2B
Ross C
Gonzalez SS


When JR's hurt put (gulp) Conine in RF I guess. I'll believe our 4th OF (Hamilton) is a bonafide MLB player this year when I see it. I would say just move Freel over but he's limited in the amount he can play in a season as well.

All in all, Dunn and EE will dictate the offense this year. Jr's washed up and I'm pretty sure Ross, Hatte and Phillips all had career years last year. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen again.

PS. They just signed Kerry Lightenberg to a minor league deal. No biggie. The low risk possible high reward type of stuff a team like the Reds has to do.

I'll give WK credit, he may have some old suck ass players competing for spots this spring but he's brought in enough of them they will have to compete hard. In a sense I guess thats depth and depth is always good.

 

[DGADBTWSOM]

I honestly am not sure about our lineup just yet...

Here is a look at what we will probably see...

Freel
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
EE
Hatte
Ross
Gonzalez

I think you will get speed and runs from the top 2, if Griffey and Dunn can produce some hits and homeruns they will get their fair share of RBI's and if EE can have a breakout type season with a solid bat like Hatte protecting him he should get pitches, then if Ross has another season like last year we will be pretty solid. I think we will see lots of small ball from the top 2 and Gonzalez, but it sucks having a guy in the 8 hole that is almost like a non-threat and then the pitcher so that is almost an automatic 2 outs in a row...

Gonzalez has to be in there though just to back up EE 's E's. But I like the line up I see there otherwise.

 

[coastalbuck]

I'll give WK credit, he may have some old suck ass players competing for spots this spring but he's brought in enough of them they will have to compete hard. In a sense I guess thats depth and depth is always good.

Very important point to make Jax, I guess you're not just a pretty face....

Others agree too.. link MLB.com link

 

[Okinawa's#1Buck]

I'll believe our 4th OF (Hamilton) is a bonafide MLB player this year when I see it. I would say just move Freel over but he's limited in the amount he can play in a season as well.

This is why I don't think we can afford to keep an extra C. It seem very cut and dry that we need Denoforia or Hopper to make the club and Hamilton be the extra-extra guy to fill in for D and pinch hit in the 5th with the game not on the line.

 

[Jaxbuck]

This is why I don't think we can afford to keep an extra C. It seem very cut and dry that we need Denoforia or Hopper to make the club and Hamilton be the extra-extra guy to fill in for D and pinch hit in the 5th with the game not on the line.

Couldn't agree more. Lets pray Deno plays well in ST because I'm not so sure Narron feels this way.

 

[Okinawa's#1Buck]

Deno/Freel CF
Hatte 1B
Dunn LF
EE 3B
Jr RF
Phillips 2B
Ross C
Gonzalez SS

I had almost forgot what an important part of the lineup EE is. Not because of his potential, but because he is the only RH power hitter we have. If he does not improve as we all expect him to, we are in real trouble. He has to protect Dunn, Jr. and Hatteburg (no matter where they fall in the lineup). Without him putting up 20+ and 90+, we are in (Full Metal Jacket Quote) "a world of shit."

P.S. Jax, I think your line up is much more viable. Phillips has shown he is a better hitter in the lower part of the order. Narron just can't seem to find a lineup and stick to it. So, in the end, it doesn't really matter (woah, just had a Linkin Park flash there :) ) what the projected lineup will be, he will change it almost daily.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I agree on Phillips being down a little farther, but I would just like to see two speed guys in the lineup at the top...

 

[Jaxbuck]

I agree on Phillips being down a little farther, but I would just like to see two speed guys in the lineup at the top...

When JR goes on the DL they could play Deno in CF and Freel in RF. Think of the defensive improvement from that move alone.

Okinawa- Yes if EE tanks we are in a world of shit but for all my pessamisim toward the Reds, none of it is directed at EE. He's a star in the making, I have absolutely zero doubt.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

When JR goes on the DL they could play Deno in CF and Freel in RF. Think of the defensive improvement from that move alone.

Okinawa- Yes if EE tanks we are in a world of shit but for all my pessamisim toward the Reds, none of it is directed at EE. He's a star in the making, I have absolutely zero doubt.

I agree the speed in the Outfield will be outstanding, but can you imagine how bad it could be if we place Connine in the game for Freel in Right and we go Griff, Donkey and Connine...That would be the slowest OF in the majors...

I didnt really follow Dino thru the majors, but he strictly a contact type, hitter or does he have pop like say a Phillips...

And I agree on EE...

Also what is your take on Elizardo, do you think he is going to fall off the map or do you think he could make an impact this year...He really pitched well at times last year, but then fell off the map...