Ranking the Most Disappointing Cincinnati Reds in Spring Training so Far

The Cincinnati Reds have a talented roster this season and the hope among Reds' fans is that this team will be the one to bring the city its first World Series title since 1990.

Though it's much too early to tell whether this hope will come to fruition, there are players who are already staking themselves out to hot starts.

This list does not include those players.

This list is a ranking of the six most disappointing players on the Reds' roster this spring.

You'll see some old and some new faces, but the overall trend is that these six have been rather underwhelming as we approach the start of the new season.

Let's start with No. 6.

All spring training stats courtesy of Cincinnatireds.com.

6. Billy Hamilton (CF)

Billy Hamilton is easily the best prospect in the Reds farm system.

Most baseball fans are aware of his record-breaking season in 2012 and spring training is providing fans with their first opportunity to see Hamilton face major league pitching.

With this being Hamilton's first crack at major league pitching, it's fair to say that expectations were not sky high.

Although this was the case, it is fair to say that Hamilton's spring has been disappointing.

Additionally, it's become clear that Hamilton is not currently ready for the big leagues and that in and of itself is disappointing.

Hamilton has 18 at-bats this spring over nine games played. In those 18 at-bats, Hamilton has managed only a .150/.227/.250 slash line on three hits and two walks with three runs scored and three stolen bases.

Given his young age, 22 years old, and the fact that this is his first major league spring training, it's hard to be too down on him.

Consider Hamilton's spring a chance to get acclimated with his new position in center field, while facing better competition.

In short, don't put too much stock into Hamilton's spring training woes.

5. Daniel Corcino (SP)

22-year-old starting pitcher Daniel Corcino is the second disappointment of the six mentioned in this list.

Corcino is one of the youngest participants at Cincinnati's spring camp and it was largely accepted prior to the start of spring training that Corcino would begin the 2013 season at the Double-A or Triple-A level.

Nevertheless, Corcino is one of the team's top prospects and his performance in spring training has been underwhelming.

In three appearances this spring, Corcino has pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and five walks.

Corcino, along with Tony Cingrani–another member of this list–was optioned to Triple-A Louisville following Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers (per Yahoosports.com).

In the event of an injury in the starting rotation, Corcino could very well be the first pitcher recalled to to the major league roster.

4. Tony Cingrani (SP)

Tony Cingrani is arguably the most MLB-ready prospect in the Reds' organization. 

Cingrani could easily make the Reds bullpen this season. The problem is that the front office is set on Cingrani continuing his transition to the starting rotation.

A reliever at Rice, the Reds selected Cingrani and immediately put him on track to become a starter. 

Like Corcino and Hamilton, Cingrani is young (23 years old). So, generally speaking, expectations would be low.

Cingrani's case is different, however, because he has already received a major league call-up.

Cingrani made three appearances last season with the Reds and performed quite well, posting a 1.80 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP with five strikeouts in four innings pitched (per Baseball-Reference.com).

Cingrani has been less successful in spring training. In four innings pitched, he has allowed a 9.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP with five strikeouts.

The ratios are great as Cingrani is averaging 11.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and 5.0 K/BB. 

Cingrani is facing quality opponents as far as spring training goes, as evidenced by his 9.7 OppQual rating (per Baseball-Reference.com).

While he wasn't as disappointing as others on this list, a little bit more was expected from him given his minor league track record and big league call-up.

Cingrani, like Daniel Corcino, was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday (per Yahoosports.com).

3. Miguel Olivo (C)

Last month, I predicted that Miguel Olivo would make the Reds' 25-man roster out of spring training this year. Whoops.

While 24-year-old Devin Mesoraco continues to tear up the Cactus League, Olivo has been withering away.

Olivo has the most at-bats of any catcher on the roster this spring (26), yet he's done very little with them.

In those 26 at-bats, Olivo is slashing .154/.207/.308.

While Olivo does have a home run and three RBI to his credit, he's also struck out 10 times and that's incredibly disconcerting.

Prior to the start of spring training, it seemed as though Olivo may have had a chance to make the Reds' 25-man roster; however, those days are long gone.

As Olivo continues to struggle at the plate, he's effectively blowing any chance he may have had at breaking camp with the Reds.

2. Alfredo Simon (RP)

Alfredo Simon was one of the most consistent arms in the Reds bullpen last season. 

In 36 appearances Simon pitched 61 innings, allowing a 2.66 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Simon also posted career bests in K/9 (7.7), H/9 (9.6) and HR/9 (0.3).

Simon seemed like a sure thing for the 25-man roster this year, but that may no longer be the case.

Simon has only pitched in two games, going 4.2 innings.

In those 4.2 innings, Simon has allowed an 11.57 ERA with a 2.57 WHIP on 11 hits and a walk.

Of pitchers with four or more innings pitched this spring, Simon has been the second worst of the lot behind Pedro Villarreal.

With J.J. Hoover, Logan Ondrusek, Jose Arredondo and Clay Hensley all out-pitching Simon by significant margins, he may find himself without a spot in the bullpen when the Reds break camp.

Unless he shapes up quick, Simon could be the biggest disappointment of spring training.

1. Ryan Ludwick (LF)

Ryan Ludwick enjoyed an impressive bounce-back season in 2012. 

In 125 games Ludwick logged 422 at-bats, slashing .275/.346/.531 with 26 HR, 80 RBI and 53 runs scored.

With that season, Ludwick earned himself a two-year-deal with the Reds and effectively locked up the starting left fielder's job.

While it may not be that Ludwick is in danger of losing his job to backup outfielder Chris Heisey, his spring training is still disappointing. 

With 32 at-bats to his credit, Ludwick has managed just a .125/.152/.156 slash line with only one RBI and one run scored.

Perhaps what's most troubling, or disappointing, is the fact that Ludwick has struck out 10 times in those 32 at-bats.

Every player is entitled to a slow start in spring training, but it's never a good sign if a player is striking out in 30 percent of his at-bats.

Ludwick may have gotten a new contract with the Reds; however, if this trend continues through into the regular season, he could find himself splitting time with Heisey again.