CSNbbs

Looking at the bench
Posted by jfay February 11th, 2010, 11:48 am

There should be some interesting battles for bench spots on the Reds roster this spring. Pitchers and catchers report a week from today, by the way.

My guess is the Reds will go with 12 pitchers early. They play 12 straight days after the April 6 off day. Pitchers don’t go as deep into games early in the season, so they’ll need the extra arm.

You’ve got 11 pretty solid locks for the remaining 13 spots. Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs and Ramon Hernandez will make up seven of the starting eight.

Chris Dickerson will make the team, even if he doesn’t win the left field job. Ryan Hanigan is going to be the back-up catcher. Aaron Miles will be on the roster as utility guy. His $2.7 million salary guarantees that.

So, as I see it, you’ve got 11 guys vying for two spots (three if the Reds decide to go with 11 pitchers). Here’s a look at the field:

INFIELDERS

–Paul Janish: He was the starting shortstop until the Reds signed Orlando Cabrera. Janish is still a good bet to make the team because of his defensive ability. But he doesn’t give you a lot of pop off the bench.

–Drew Sutton: He’s versatile. But he didn’t hit much — .212, 4-for-22 as a pinch-hitter in his 42 games with the Reds.

–Todd Frazier: As the No. 1 prospect in the system, he’s going to have to get significant at-bats for the Reds to justify him making the club. I don’t see him making it unless he wins the job in left field.

–Juan Francisco: His situation is similar to Frazier’s. He’ll probably start in the minors unless some significant at-bats are available.

–Chris Burke: He’s got big league experience. He can play all over. But he hasn’t hit much in the big leagues lately — .229. .194, .207 the last three years.

–Miguel Cairo: He played pretty well for the Phillies late last year — well enough to make the postseason roster.

–Chris Valaika: After last year’s rough time in Triple-A, he’ll likely get a do-over at Louisville.

OUTFIELDERS

Wladimir Balentien: He’s only one in this group out of options. That’s always a factor. His numbers last season with the Reds were decent — .264/.352/.427 in 110 at-bats. Good arm, not great otherwise defensively.

Chris Heisey: He does everything well. But he could probably use more time in Triple-A.

Laynce Nix:He’s got left-handed pop — 15 home runs in 277 at-bats. He can play all three outfield positions. But he doesn’t hit left-handers.

Josh Anderson: He’s the new guy in the outfield mix. He runs well (25 steals in 30 tries last year). But he lacks power (one home run in 298 at-bats last year).

My predication made without great conviction: Miles, Hanigan, Janish and Nix will make up bench at the start of the season — that assumed Dickerson starts Opening Day in left field – and Balentien will make it also if the go with 11 pitchers to start.

But spring traning will be a huge factor in these decisions.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/02...the-bench/

Using Fay's list and assumptions I say it's Janish and Balentien.