Reds report: Shortstop Cozart ready and rarin' to go after surgery


The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II
Zack Cozart hurt his elbow trying to tag out the Braves' Nate McLouth on July 23 of last season.

Written by
John Fay

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Zack Cozart has been counting down the days until spring training since the elbow injury that ended his season on July 23.

“Oh my God, yeah,” he said. “That date, July 23, is etched in my mind. That’s the longest I’ve ever been without baseball. I can’t wait for spring training to start.”

Cozart says he’s 100 percent after his Aug. 12 Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing arm.

“The last two weeks, I’ve been taking BP and really cutting it loose,” he said. “It feels really good.”

Cozart began taking light batting practice around Christmas time. He gradually built up through January.

Cozart, 26, is key to the Reds’ plans. He’s been penciled in as the starting shortstop, even though he’s played only 11 games in the majors. Cozart hit .324 with two home runs.

That came after hitting .310 with seven home runs and 32 RBI in 323 at-bats at Louisville.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “To get Ryan Madson after it looked like we weren’t going to be able to sign Cordero is one of those shock-and-awe moments. So, yeah, I was surprised to be able to get a top-tier closer who is just coming into his own.” – pitching coach Bryan Price.

MEET WILSON VALDEZ: Wilson Valdez went from a footnote in Reds history to a Red in the offseason. The Reds traded left-hander Jeremy Horst to Philadelphia to obtain Valdez. Valdez is a utility infielder who pitched a scoreless 19th inning on May 25 to earn a win against the Reds in Philadelphia.

“It was a really great moment for me to go from second base to pitcher and win the game, he said.

Valdez, 33, hit .249 with one home run and 30 RBI in 279 at-bats for Philly last year. He can play second, shortstop, third or the outfield.

TOMKO HERE: Former Red Brett Tomko showed up at the complex Saturday. Tomko, a 38-year-old right-hander, spent most of last year pitching in Triple-A for Texas. He was 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA for the Rangers.

He’s agreed to a minor league deal with the Reds. But he has to pass his physical for it to become official. He went 29-26 with a 4.35 ERA before being traded to Seattle in the Ken Griffey Jr. deal.

CHAPMAN ‘GOOD’: Aroldis Chapman will start spring training in the regular program with the rest of the starters.

“I saw him throw a bullpen the other day,” Price said. “He looked pretty good. His breaking ball was good. He’s been in Florida throwing since he got the green light from Dr. (Tim) Kremchek after that shoulder tightness.”

Chapman, a 23-year-old left-hander, is making the transition back starter after spending the last season and a half in the bullpen.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120...er-surgery

Reds fans' guide to Spring Training in Goodyear


The Enquirer/Gary Landers
Once games start, the Reds continue to take batting at the practice complex. They generally don't take the field at Goodyear Ballpark until just before games.

Written by
John Fay

How to watch

Reds workouts in Goodyear are free and open to the public. The club generally takes the field between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Fans can watch all six practice fields at the Reds’ complex. Early in spring training, most of the workouts take place on the four fields at the south end of the complex. There are no formal autograph sessions, but players often sign as they move from field to field.

Once games start, the Reds continue to take batting at the practice complex. They generally don't take the field at Goodyear Ballpark until just before games.

Where to eat

Goodyear is a relatively small suburban community 17 miles west of Phoenix. Imagine a chain restaurant and it’s here. There aren't a ton of mom-and-pop places around the Reds complex. Some suggestions:

• Bill Johnson’s Big Apple, 1330 N. Dysart Road: A five-restaurant local barbecue chain started by a country disc jockey.

• Claim Jumper, 10125 W. McDowell Road: All-American food, large portions.

• In-N-Out Burger, 1525 N. Dysart Road: West’s preferred burger chain isn’t a great place for the waistline or cholesterol count.

• Majerle's Sports Grill, 13375 W. McDowell Road: Popular former Sun Dan Majerle has four sports pubs in the Valley, including Goodyear.

• Pei Wei, 1619 N. Dysart Road: A P.F. Chang-owned Asian fast-food place.

• Raul & Theresa's, 519 Main St., Avondale: Authentic Mexican fare. Popular with locals.

• Senor Taco, 525 N. Estrella Parkway: Right by Goodyear Ballpark.

• Taste of Italy, 3810 S. Estrella Parkway: A local pizza and pasta place right across from the Reds complex.

Besides baseball

Goodyear may be on the small side, but there are other attractions in the region:

• Golf: The City of Goodyear lists seven courses on its website, including the Golf Club of Estrella, a 4½-star “Best Places to Play” pick by Golf Digest. Drive a little farther and the choices only grow.

• Sedona: It's a little over two hours north of Goodyear. The red rock vistas are spectacular.

• Tempe: Home to Arizona State University and an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops.

• Camelback Mountain: A rugged trail takes you to the top. The views make the trek worth it.

• Old Town Scottsdale: Lots of shops, restaurants and art galleries.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120...t|Sports|s

5 questions about Reds entering spring training


The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II
Veteran third baseman Scott Rolen is among question marks for the Reds entering the 2012 season.

Written by
John Fay

The Reds roster is all but set. After a disappointing 2011, the club has shored up the pitching staff with an eye on making a strong run in 2012. But questions remain. Here are five heading into spring training:

What about third base?

If Scott Rolen is healthy, this takes care of itself. If he’s Scott Rolen for 120 to 125 games, it is a very good thing for the Reds. However, we won’t know until the season gets going.

After his surgery, Rolen was feeling great. Better, he said, than in 2010 when he hit .285 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI and won a Gold Glove. But then he pushed too hard and had to back off, ending his season.

Rolen hasn’t been heard from since last season ended. He was at Redsfest, but he slipped out before anyone in the media talked to him.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty says the reports on Rolen are good. “I talked to his offseason trainer 10 days or two weeks ago. He said Scott is 100 percent and swinging the bat really well.”

But he turns 37 the day before Opening Day.

If Rolen isn’t healthy, the Reds have options in Juan Francisco and Todd Frazier. Both can be solid big leaguers, although neither is proven. Francisco looked much better defensively last year, and he has as much power as anyone on the club.

Frazier is solid defensively with good power. But he’s hit only .258 and .260 the last two years at Triple-A.

Who's your left fielder?

Left field is the only position where the starter isn’t set in stone going into spring training. Chris Heisey returns after a breakout year in the 2011. Heisey hit .254 with a .309 on-base percentage over 279 at-bats. He plays a very good left field and is an above-average baserunner.

The Reds signed free agent Ryan Ludwick to compete with Heisey. Ludwick is coming off a couple of down years, due in part to playing his home games in San Diego.

Both Heisey (.271 vs. .197) and Ludwick (.272 vs. 237) hit right-handers better than left-handers, even though they are right-handed hitters.

Can Cueto and Bailey stay healthy?

Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey started last season on the disabled list and were limited to 24 and 22 starts, respectively. Cueto just turned 26. Bailey starts the season at 25. Both have had a lot of big-league experience at a young age.

The Reds have to hope that last year’s injuries were mere bumps on the road to becoming 200-inning pitchers. Cueto went on the DL during spring training with tendinitis in his right biceps and triceps. He was shut down again at the end of the year with a strained lat.

Bailey had two stints on the DL with shoulder tendinitis.

Neither Cueto nor Bailey required surgery. Both went through extensive rehabilitation.

How important is a healthy starting rotation? Three pitchers were pressed into starting last year by injuries – Sam LeCure, Matt Maloney and Dontrelle Willis. They made a total of 19 starts. The Reds were 6-13 in those games. The Reds were 27-19 in Cueto and Bailey’s starts.

Are the rookies ready?

The Reds are counting heavily on two players with a total of 29 games of big-league experience. Zack Cozart will start at shortstop and Devin Mesoraco projects as the No. 1 catcher.

Cozart played in 11 games before sustaining what turned out to be a season-ending injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery. It was his left (non-throwing) arm, and he’s recovered.

Cozart is solid defensively and has good power for a shortstop – 24 home runs, 56 doubles in 876 at-bats at Triple-A. Dusty Baker said Cozart was more ready to play championship baseball than any player he’s gotten from the system.

Mesoraco is the Reds’ No. 1 prospect. He appears to have All-Star-caliber talent at catcher. He has some sock in his bat – 26 and 15 home runs his last two years in the minors. But the Reds like what he brings in defense and leadership more than his offense.

Is this Baker's last stand?

Reds manager Dusty Baker is in the final year of the two-year contract extension he signed during the 2010 season.

Baker has had one very good year with the Reds. The Reds won the division and had their only winning season in the last 10 years in 2010. The Reds had losing records in Baker’s other three years.

The Reds have two potential replacements in the system. Triple-A manager David Bell is an up-and-comer. Double-A manager Jim Riggleman’s last job was as manager of the Washington Nationals.

There’s also the possibility Baker will choose not to return. He turns 63 in June. His home is in Sacramento.

Baker says he’s not going to talk about his contract this year.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120...t|Sports|s

It really does come down to Rolen for the offense. If he's healthy, that would be a huge boost.

I think Rolen is washed up. I don't think he will ever stay healthy, nor will he be able to play at the same level he did for us 2 years ago. I'd say it's time to give Francisco or Frazier a shot. At any rate they will get their chance. I give Rolen a month before he hits the DL...

(02-19-2012 04:42 PM)Bearcatbdub Wrote:  I think Rolen is washed up. I don't think he will ever stay healthy, nor will he be able to play at the same level he did for us 2 years ago. I'd say it's time to give Francisco or Frazier a shot. At any rate they will get their chance. I give Rolen a month before he hits the DL...

I'm a big Francisco fan, but I'm not giving up on Rolen yet. There is always that chance he pulls a Lance Berkman and gives it one final stand. I fully expect him to retire after this season, and I would think he'd want to finish his career strong.

I keep crossing my fingers that they don't trade Francisco. He is the heir apparent at 3B. He's also a nice option to have with the question marks surrounding Rolen.

Francisco has never impressed me one iota. Sure, when he connects, it goes 500 feet. But he doesn't connect very often. We have huge issues on the left side of the field and if Rolen goes down, all the pitching in the world won't win us a championship. Can't win 95 games if you only score 3 runs a game.

I am in the minority here but I am a big Frazier fan. He does not hit the ball a million miles like Francisco, but he makes contact more often and defensively gets to more balls and throws them better than Francisco. Francisco made huge steps forward defensively last year, but he is still a liability.

(02-19-2012 07:08 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Francisco has never impressed me one iota. Sure, when he connects, it goes 500 feet. But he doesn't connect very often. We have huge issues on the left side of the field and if Rolen goes down, all the pitching in the world won't win us a championship. Can't win 95 games if you only score 3 runs a game.

Completely agree. I really don't like watching the guy. Stubbs strikes out a lot, but at least he has plenty of other weapons. Francisco swings as hard as he can every time. Frustrating to watch.

I'm comfortable going into the season with the guys we have to play 3rd. I'm cautiously optimistic about Rolen - I can definitely see him having an all-star type season, but I also have to admit I wouldn't be shocked to see him on the DL in the first month. With Francisco out of options, I think he makes the team and backs up at 3B, 1B and LF. I'm not as optimistic about him for the same reasons others have stated, but I also wonder if he is unfairly being compared to Wily Mo. He deserves a shot if Rolen or Votto go down. I also really like Frazier and see him having a decent major league career even though I'm guessing he starts the season in AAA. Whether he's a starter or a utility guy in the bigs is still up in the air imo.

So if I had to guess right now, I also see this as Rolen's last year. Then Francisco and Frazier get to battle it out for 3B next year although it's hard to say for sure with so many potential unknowns over the next few years at 3B, 1B and LF.