2013 MLB Team Preview: Cincinnati Reds
The Reds stumbled a bit on offense last season after having a great season at the plate the previous season and one of the issues was at the leadoff spot. They really addressed that need brining in Shin-Soo Choo, who batted .310 and had an on-base-percentage of .389 last season.
Odds to Win National League Pennant: 6.00
Odds to Win World Series: 15.00
The Reds have the best odds of any team from the NL Central to win the NL Pennant and the World Series.
Key Additions
OF Shin-Soo Choo, UT Jason Donald, 3B Jack Hannahan, LHP Manny Parra, C Miguel Olivo, SS Cesar Izturis.
Key Losses
3B Scott Rolen, CF Drew Stubbs, SS Didi Gregorius, UT Miguel Cairo, UT Wilson Valdez, C Dioner Navarro, RHP Ryan Madson.
Let`s take a look at the Reds’ offense:
Projected batting order
CF Shin-Soo Choo (.283 AVG/.373 OBP, 16 HR/67 RBI)
2B Brandon Phillips (.281/.321, 18/77)
1B Joey Votto (.337/.474, 14/56)
LF Ryan Ludwick (.275/.346, 26/80)
RF Jay Bruce (.252/.327, 34/99)
3B Todd Frazier (.273/.331, 19/67)
SS Zack Cozart (.246/.288, 15/35)
C Ryan Hanigan (.274/.365, 2/24)
Brandon Phillips has to rebound from a terrible season and star Joey Votto needs to stay off the DL. When he came back last season off the DL his power vanished and that is a concern.
Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick had a solid seasons and they will be counted on to help Votto out, especially in the power department. Todd Frazier and Zack Cozar were solid last season as rookies, but the Ryan Hanigan needs to have more RBI’s and do more than just get on base. Still, the Reds have a very balanced lineup and they have a lot of potential power. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Let`s take a look at the Reds’ pitching.
Projected rotation
1. Johnny Cueto (19-9, 2.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 217 IP)
2. Mat Latos (14-4, 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 209.1 IP)
3. Bronson Arroyo (12-10, 3.74 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 202 IP)
4. Homer Bailey (13-10, 3.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 208 IP)
5. Aroldis Chapman (1.51 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 71.2 IP, 38 SV)*
6. Mike Leake (8-9, 4.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 179 IP)
Projected bullpen
Closer: RHP Jonathan Broxton (R) (25 G, 3-3, 4 SV, 2 BLSV, 10 HLD, 2.82 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)
LHP Sean Marshall (73 G, 5-5, 9 SV, 4 BLSV, 22 HLD, 2.51 ERA, 1.61 WHIP)
RHP Sam LeCure (48 G, 3-3, 1 BLSV, 7 HLD, 3.14 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)
RHP Logan Ondrusek (63 G, 5-2, 2 SV, 4 BLSV, 13 HLD, 3.46 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
RHP Alfredo Simon (36 G, 3-2, 1 SV, 1 HLD, 2.66 ERA, 1.43 WHIP)
RHP Jose Arredondo (66 G, 6-2, 1 SV, 1 BLSV, 12 HLD, 2.95 ERA,1.38 WHIP)
LHP Manny Parra (62 G, 2-3, 2 BLSV, 9 HLD, 5.06 ERA, 1.65 WHIP)
Reds were carried by their pitching last season that ranked 4th in the league in team ERA. They had to carry them with an offense dealing with many injuries that only ranked 21st in runs scored. With a healthy offense the pitching may not have to do as much even though they are a solid staff.
Johnny Cueto had 19 wins last season, but faltered down the stretch and Bronson Arroyo had another solid season. Mat Latos pitched great in the 2nd half of the season and the Reds look for a more consistent year from him. Homer Bailey was the team’s best pitcher later in the season and he allowed less than 2 runs in 7 of his final 8 starts.
The Cincinnati bullpen was the best in the Majors last season and they should be great again. Closer Jonathan Broxton pitched great after coming over mi-season from the Royals and when he is on he is dominant. The setup guys are great and the bullpen should be the strength of the staff for a 2nd straight season.
2013 Cincinnati Reds Prediction:
The Reds have all the pieces, but I think they will deal with injuries again and the starting pitching will not be as good as last season. I see them battling with the Cardinals for the division crown and while I do not see them winning the NL Central they should make the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
