5 questions to answer during Reds spring training
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — As spring training games start Tuesday, keep in mind that nobody in the Cactus League hit more home runs than Chris Heisey last season. Roger Bernadina had a 1.257 OPS a year ago, and Johnny Cueto had a 4.61 ERA. In other words, it's good to see players against other teams, but the results may not be all that meaningful.
That's not to say the Reds and other teams don't care about the results of the Cactus League seasons – which the Reds kick off against Cleveland on Tuesday at 3:05 p.m. at Goodyear Ballpark – it's just that they're not going to read too much into the actual numbers.
"We have to do a really good job as a staff in evaluating our players from what we see in all different areas – not just line scores," Reds manager Bryan Price said Monday. "A lot of times, if you base it on statistics, the guys you thought were going to make the club wouldn't. I'm not going to say throw it out the window. What we have to see is command, ability to pitch – get secondary pitches over behind in the count, how our guys compete, hold runners, and try to find out who are the best guys to make our club."
The Reds will play 31 games in Arizona – and two more in Montreal – before Opening Day on April 6. For the most part, the team is nearly set, at least the starting eight players, so here are five other things to watch.
1. Who are starters Nos. 4, 5 and 6?
Johnny Cueto (and here is where Price, Walt Jocketty and everyone else associated with the Reds finds some wood to knock on) is the Opening Day starter, and Mike Leake should be pitching two days later in game two. The team hopes Homer Bailey will be ready in April, meaning the need for a sixth starter will be short lived. That, however, still leaves two spots open in the rotation, something Price has never dealt with in his six seasons with the Reds as pitching coach and manager.
The frontrunners for the two open spots are right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and lefty Tony Cingrani. Cingrani started 2014 in the rotation before ineffectiveness bumped him off. He was then demoted to Triple-A, and a shoulder injury ultimately ended his season. DeSclafani, 24, was acquired from the Marlins in the deal that sent Mat Latos to Miami. He was 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 13 appearances and five starts for Miami last season. The Reds have big expectations for the right-hander.
Veterans Paul Maholm and Jason Marquis seem to have the inside shot at the short-term spot in the rotation, but they might also be forced to make a case for staying there. Maholm, 32, was with the Dodgers last season, making eight starts and 22 relief appearances, while Marquis hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2013 after Tommy John surgery.
Others who could be in the mix include Dylan Axelrod, David Holmberg and Daniel Corcino – all three of whom made starts for the Reds last season.
And then there's …
2. When and where will Raisel Iglesias contribute?
The 25-year-old right-hander was signed to a $27 million deal in June and should be ready to produce. While the Reds have said they see him as a starter in the long term, he could still be a reliever in the short term.
Iglesias has been impressive early in camp and allowed just one hit (and no runs) in seven Arizona Fall League appearances. His outings in the Cactus League will draw more than mere curiosity.
If Iglesias lives up to billing, he could help the team either in the rotation or the bullpen, although the bullpen still seems to be his best shot at an Opening Day spot.
3. Who produces off the bench?
Chris Heisey was the team's top bat off the bench a year ago, but he's now with the Dodgers. Skip Schumaker is healthy and will be a backup in the outfield, and Brayan Pena is the backup catcher. Kristopher Negron hasn't made the team, but he's about as close as it gets. That means there's not only two or three spots on the bench available, there's also a need for a power bat off the bench.
That's where Brennan Boesch could fit in: Boesch has 47 home runs in parts of five seasons in the big leagues, with double-digit homers in each of his three seasons in Detroit. Last season at Triple-A Salt Lake, Boesch hit .332/.381/.636 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI in just 95 games. Another player to watch is Chris Dominguez, a former University of Louisville All-American who hit 21 home runs at Triple-A Fresno in 2014. Josh Satin is another possibility: The former Met has 56 career pinch-hit appearances and plays both corner infield spots.
4. Are the stars healthy?
The Reds' 2015 chances will be determined by the lack of activity in the training room as anything. The team's three biggest offensive stars – 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips and OF Jay Bruce – struggled with injuries in 2014. If they're healthy and produce at their career averages, the Reds offense will be much better in 2015 than it was a season ago. If they're not, things could look awfully familiar at Great American Ball Park, and that's not a good thing.
Of the three, Votto's left knee will receive the most scrutiny from anyone watching the team. Votto hurt his knee in 2012 and returned to play 162 games in 2013 before playing in 62 last season. The Reds have said the two knee injuries are not related, but his every move will be watched.
Both Bruce (knee) and Phillips (thumb) had surgery last season and returned to the lineup, but neither were close to 100 percent when they returned, and it showed.
5. Which young stars will impress?
It's unlikely any of the team's heralded prospects – other than Iglesias – will break camp with the Reds. However, there are several top-ranked prospects in camp, and seeing how they face against big-league competition will certainly be intriguing.
Among those to watch are:
RHP Robert Stephenson: The team's top pitching prospect didn't have a great 2014 by the numbers, but the Reds are happy with his development and despite the results, the stuff is outstanding. The 22-year-old is still one of the game's elite pitching prospects.
OF Jesse Winker: The team's best offensive prospect, the 21-year-old Winker has been called a "future batting champ" in the big leagues. Those are big words for a player who has just 21 games at the Double-A level, but his smooth left-handed swing have made many believers. Winker won the Arizona Fall League batting title this winter, and now it's time to see what he can do against big league pitchers in the desert.
RHP Michael Lorenzen: A year ago, Lorenzen was just learning how to pitch after being converted from an outfielder at Cal State-Fullerton. A 2013 draftee, he's making his second appearance in big-league camp, something an electric right arm allows. Lorenzen put up a 3.13 ERA in 24 starts at Double-A Pensacola last season.
RHP Nick Howard: The team's first-round pick in 2014, Howard is making the move from closing at Virginia to a starter in professional baseball. Howard also pitched in the Arizona Fall League.
Others to watch: RHP Jonathon Crawford, LHP Amir Garrett, RHP Keyvius Sampson, OF Juan Duran and OF Yorman Rodriguez