Cincinnati Reds News and Notes

With Opening Day a little more than 24 hours away, let’s look at what is going on in the world of the Cincinnati Reds.

Mike Leake named No. 5 starter. When the Reds drafted Arizona State righty Mike Leake with the eighth pick in the 2009 June Draft, I thought they hit a home run with that pick .

Leake proved during spring training that they Reds really did hit a home run with that pick.

In 19 innings this spring, Leake had a 3.00 ERA and his performance was good enough for the Reds to name him their fifth starter going into the season. This is a pretty impressive feat for Leake as his only pro experience prior to this spring was pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

Leake will follow Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, and Homer Bailey in the Reds’ rotation.

Aroldis Chapman sent to the minors. With Leake earning the fifth starter spot, the Reds have decided to send Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman down to Triple-A Louisville.

Chapman had an impressive spring hurling a 1.69 ERA and 15 Ks in 10.2 innings. The Reds could have put Chapman in the bullpen, but felt he would be better served starting the year in the minors.

If Chapman impresses at Triple-A, he will be with the Reds before we know it.

Drew Stubbs is on fire. One of the reasons I predict the Reds will be in the World Series in 2012 is because of all their young talent will be coming into their own by then.

One of those young talents is center fielder Drew Stubbs. Stubbs impressed in 42 games with the Reds last season and is ending spring training on fire.

Stubbs is currently on a 12-game hitting streak and in those 12 games, he has four home runs and seven doubles. Overall this spring, Stubbs is hitting .304 in 56 ABs.

With Stubbs in center and Jay Bruce in right, the Reds appear to have two-thirds of their outfield set for the future.

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