Reds Spring Training Stock Watch: Which Players Are on Fire and Slumping?

Spring training is underway for the Cincinnati Reds and some players are off to scorching-hot starts. Others, not so much.

The Reds are one of a handful of teams with legitimate World Series aspirations in 2013 and competition for remaining roster spots is tight.

Players looking to make the 25-man roster will need to turn in impressive spring training performances and although it's still very early, some players are well on their way to doing so.

Here are 11 players who are either on fire, or slumping early on this spring.

Spring Training Stats courtesy of cincinnatireds.com.

All other stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com unless otherwise noted.

On Fire: Henry Rodriguez

Henry Rodriguez tore apart minor league pitching over the course of six years in Reds, and briefly the Rays, farm systems.

2012 was the first season in which Rodriguez failed to achieve a .300 batting average since 2007 when he was just 17-years-old.

Rodriguez is small in stature and measures in at 5'10" 150-pounds. However, that has yet to hold him back at any level in his career.

Over six seasons in the minors, Rodriguez has compiled a .303/.350/.431 slash line with 162-game averages of 12 HR, 39 doubles, 85 RBI, 91 runs scored and 33 stolen bases.

Rodriguez is also an astute defender with a career minor league fielding percentage of .970 at second base.

How Rodriguez' success translates to a prolonged stay at the big-league level remains to be seen, but he does have one big league call-up and is currently on a hot streak to begin 2013 spring training.

In 14 at bats, Rodriguez has eight hits, including two doubles, and a walk, en route to a .571/.600/.714 slash line.

Rodriguez is currently leading all Reds players in batting average and should he continue on his torrid pace this spring, Rodriguez could potentially wind up on the Reds' big league roster to start the season.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Henry Rodriguez	7	14	8	2	0	0	2	2	0	.571	.600	.714

Slumping: Zack Cozart

On some levels, Zack Cozart disappointed fans with his 2012 season.

Cozart brought a substantial power boost to the Reds shortstop position, knocking out 15 over 138 games played.

Additionally, Cozart's superb fielding earned him a spot as a finalist for a Gold Glove Award in 2012.

Though these were obvious high points in Cozart's rookie season, there were multiple negatives including a .246/.288/.399 slash line with 113 strikeouts in 561 at bats.

Cozart has had a poor showing thus far in spring training.

In six games, Cozart has 12 at bats and a .071/.071/.143 slash line with just one hit (a double), two runs scored and three strikeouts.

Cozart has plenty of power for a shortstop, yet his OBP is heavily tied to his ability to hit for a high average.

Unless he improves his plate discipline over the course of this season, then Cozart may squander his opportunity to be the Reds shortstop of the future.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Zack Cozart	6	12	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	.071	.071	.143

On Fire: Clay Hensley

The Reds signed Clay Hensley to a minor league deal prior to the start of spring training.

Hensley spent the 2012 season with the San Francisco Giants appearing in 60 games.

In his 60 appearances, Hensley pitched 50.2 innings allowing a 4.62 ERA, and a 1.58 WHIP accompanied by ratios of 7.5 K/9, 5.3 BB/9, 1.4 K/BB and 8.9 H/9.

Although, on the surface, this may be nothing more than an attempt to add depth to the spring training roster, players like Hensley can surpass expectations and earn a chance with a big league club.

In the very early goings of Reds' camp, Hensley has been impressive.

In two games, the 33-year-old righty has pitched 4.1 innings and has yet to allow a run. Additionally, Hensley's ratios (6.6 K/9, 0.0 BB/9, 3.0 K/BB, 2.2 H/9) are enough to impress any managerial staff.

Hensley has a long road ahead of him if he is going to break camp with the Reds, yet the potential is there for him to be an injury replacement in the bullpen.

However, even a modest performance through the rest of the spring will likely give him the opportunity to join the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville.

Spring Training Stats	G	IP	H	BB	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	H/9
Clay Hensley	2	4.2	1	0	0.00	0.23	5.8	0.0	3.0	1.9

Slumping: Ryan Ludwick

34-year-old Ryan Ludwick enjoyed a superb bounce-back season in 2012.

After signing a one-year deal with the Reds, Ludwick was able to to secure the starting job in left field.

Ludwick worked his way to a .275/.346/.531 slash line with 26 home runs, 28 doubles, 80 RBI and 53 runs scored.

Ludwick became a pleasant surprise for fans last season, many of whom expected Chris Heisey to be the team's starter prior to Ludwick's signing with the Reds.

Ludwick then went on to dominate in the postseason with a .333/.455/.833 slash line, three HR, four RBI and four runs scored.

That postseason stretch coupled with his regular season success, earned Ludwick another go-around with the Reds after inking a new two-year, $15 million deal.

Though Ludwick succeeded through much of the 2012 season, he's started off rather slow in 2013 slashing just .143/.200/.143 with one RBI and four strikeouts.

Though it is very early in spring training, if Ryan Ludwick's struggles were to continue through the regular season, the Reds would be in a heap of trouble.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Ryan Ludwick	6	14	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.143	.200	.143

On Fire: Donald Lutz

Donald Lutz has a tough road ahead of him to become a starter with the Reds.

However, he could easily become a very useful bench bat or even a platoon outfielder.

Lutz flashes plus-power as evidenced by two straight seasons (2011-2012) with 20 or more home runs.

Through five seasons in the reds farm system, Lutz is slashing .276/.339/.481 with 162-game averages of 25 HR, 33 doubles, 100 RBI, 101 runs scored and 13 steals.

Lutz has surprising speed for a man of his size (6'3" 225-pounds) and that could help him with his transition to left field.

Lutz has been a first baseman throughout his career but with the roadblock that is Joey Votto ahead of him, the Reds moved in a different direction with Lutz and shifted him to left field for the 2012 season.

That brings us to spring training where Lutz is currently slashing .400/.439/.667 with one HR, five RBI, three runs scored and a steal.

If Lutz is going to crack the big league roster in 2013 it will be as a bench bat but his skills at the plate could translate to a starting, or platoon role in left field with the Reds once Ryan Ludwick's time is through in Cincinnati.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Donald Lutz	8	15	6	1	0	1	5	3	1	.400	.439	.667

Slumping: Alfredo Simon

Alfredo Simon proved to be quite the shrewd pickup in 2012.

Simon overcame a rough start to the season (three earned runs in 3.1 innings pitched), and gained a very good reputation within the organization.

Simon went on to pitch 61 innings in 36 appearances with a 2.66 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and ratios of 7.7 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 2.4 K/BB and 9.6 H/9.

Simon has been a reclamation project for the Reds and seems like a shoe-in for the bullpen this season. 

However, Simon has struggled through his first 4.2 innings pitched allowing an 11.57 ERA and a 2.57 WHIP.

Simon's ratios are also down and is managing just 5.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 3.0 K/BB and 21.2 H/9.

It's tough to make much out of spring training statistics, but it's clear that Simon isn't missing many bats while on the mound.

Simon should make the bullpen out of spring training, but if J.J. Hoover continues to pitch well then Simon could find himself without a job in Cincinnati.

Spring Training Stats	G	IP	H	BB	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	H/9
Alfredo Simon	2	4.2	11	1	11.57	2.57	5.7	1.9	3.0	21.2

On Fire: Devin Mesoraco

If Zack Cozart had a marginally unimpressive rookie campaign, Devin Mesoraco's was an utter disaster.

Mesoraco appeared in only 54 games and had 165 at bats. In those 165 at bats, Mesoraco was only able to muster a .212/.288/.352 slash line with five HR, 14 RBI and 17 runs scored.

This offseason, the Reds signed Miguel Olivo to add some catching depth to the spring training roster.

Should Olivo thrive and Mesoraco struggle, Mez could find himself with a one-way ticket to Triple-A Louisville.

Luckily for Mesoraco, he's been nothing but solid this spring.

In 11 at bats, Mesoraco has a .364/.364/1.000 slash line with a doubles, two HR and six RBI.

It's unlikely that Mesoraco supplants Ryan Hanigan as the Reds' starting catcher, but a solid spring could ensure his presence on the 25-man roster when the Reds break camp.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Devin Mesoraco	7	11	4	1	0	2	6	2	0	.364	.364	1.000

Slumping: Billy Hamilton

By now, everybody knows about Billy Hamilton's legendary speed and just in case you missed it, the 22-year-old swiped 155 bases last season between High-A and Double-A ball.

In his first two full minor league seasons, Hamilton has played a combined 267 games with a slash line of .294/.375/.383, five HR, 23 triples, 40 doubles, 95 RBI, 211 runs scored and an unreal 258 stolen bases.

Hamilton's numbers are off the charts, but he's only just recently moved from shortstop to center field.

Hamilton seems destined for a start at Triple-A Louisville this season, but a good spring training would go a long way in showing Dusty Baker and Co. how much he has progressed since being drafted.

Unfortunately for Hamilton, things haven't quite panned out that way early on.

In eight games, Hamilton has 15 at bats, a .133/.235/.133 slash line with two runs scored and three steals.

What's most troubling about Hamilton's first appearance at Reds' spring training is his seven strikeouts and zero extra base hits.

Hamilton is never going to be a 15-plus HR guy so in order to be a steady contributor, he will need to get on base and use his speed to reach his full potential as a superstar in this game.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Billy Hamilton	8	15	2	0	0	0	2	0	3	.133	.235	.133

On Fire: Manny Parra

Manny Parra signed a one-year, $1 million big league deal with the Reds back on Feburary 1.

The 30-year-old lefty has spent the past five seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers with little success.

Parra has pitched 513 innings in his career, allowing a 5.12 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Outside of his 8.4 K/9, Parra's ratios aren't much better and they include 4.6 BB/9, 10.2 H/9, and 1.0 HR/9.

Many, including myself, questioned the signing of Parra but so far, he's proving everyone wrong.

Parra has pitched 3.2 innings this spring over two games and has yet to allow an earned run.

Additionally, Parra has allowed just one hit while striking out three.

The fact that Parra pitches left-handed gives him a leg up on the competition for one of the final spots in the Reds' bullpen.

Parra's stock is surely rising in Cincinnati and should it continue to rise, he will surely find himself on the 25-man roster to start the season.

Spring Training Stats	G	IP	H	BB	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	H/9
Manny Parra	2	3.2	1	0	0.00	0.27	7.4	0.00	3.00	2.5

Slumping: Jay Bruce

For the most part, Jay Bruce had a successful season in 2012.

Bruce logged career highs in home runs (34), doubles (35), RBI (99), runs (89) and slugging percentage (.514).

For his efforts, Bruce received his second straight All-Star Game selection, won a Silver Slugger Award and finished 10th in MVP voting (per baseball-reference.com).

Although Bruce's season was an overall success, his game does have some shortcomings.

Bruce strikes out a lot, his 23.4 career strikeout percentage is 4.9 percent higher than the 18.5 percent league average over the course of his career.

Additionally, Bruce is a streaky hitter known for going into prolonged slumps and those slumps have held him back from becoming one of the league's elite players.

Through his first six games, Bruce has logged 14 at bats while collecting just one hit.

Bruce has struck out just twice so before anyone goes jumping to conclusions, he is making consistent contact and that's what's most important early in spring training.

Spring Training Stats	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Jay Bruce	6	14	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.071	.133	.071

On Fire: Homer Bailey

Homer Bailey turned in the best performance of his career last season.

In his age-26 season, Bailey went 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and ratios of 7.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 3.23 K/BB and 8.9 H/9.

Bailey was once one of the most highly touted arms in the minors and clocked in at No. 9 on the 2008 edition of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list.

After years of steady improvement, Bailey finally lived up to that ranking in 2012.

Whether he can become one of the league's top pitchers remains to be seen, but he certainly seems to have turned the corner and will be one of the Reds most important players in 2013.

This spring, Bailey is proving his worth through his first two spring starts.

In three innings pitched, Bailey hasn't allowed an earned run and has struck out six batters including five over two innings in his last start.

If Bailey's early spring dominance holds any merit, then the Reds could have one of the league's biggest surprises in 2013.

Spring Training Stats	G	IP	H	BB	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K/BB	H/9
Homer Bailey	2	3	1	1	0.00	0.67	18.0	3.00	6.00	3.0