A Red October: Cincinnati Reds Playoff Roster Analysis
It has been fifteen years since the Cincinnati Reds have played in October. Since 1995, the Reds have been one of Major League Baseball’s worst teams. But that all changed Tuesday night when the Reds clinched the National League Central title to propel them into the playoffs.
But now that they have made the playoffs, it is time to talk about the roster that manager Dusty Baker will put onto the field. It is filled with players who have never played in a playoff game. Only nine Reds have played in a playoff game, and only four of those have won World Series titles. Led by veteran players Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Orlando Cabrera, and Bronson Arroyo, the Reds seek to make their young presence known in the playoffs.
Let's look at the Reds playoff roster.
Drew Stubbs, CF
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Playing in his first full season, Stubbs will likely bat first for the Reds. He has improved his batting average 20 points since early August, and has 22 home runs. He also leads the Reds in stolen bases with 28.
Brandon Phillips, 2B
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Brandon Phillips has proclaimed himself as the best second baseman in baseball, and he has the numbers to prove it. Although recently in a slump, Phillips’ batting average has hovered around .300 all season. He also is great defensively for the Reds, picking up a Gold Glove after last season.
Joey Votto, 1B
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What is there to say about Votto? He has proved this season that he is MVP caliber by batting .323, with 35 home runs, 106 runs batted in, and 15 stolen bases.
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Jay Bruce, RF
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Bruce, the man that single-handedly lifted the Reds into the playoffs with his walk-off home run, has improved his batting average almost 30 points in the last month and a half. He also has knocked in 22 home runs and 66 RBI’s. Bruce will most likely bat clean-up behind Votto.
Ramon Hernandez, C
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Hernandez is the unsung hero of the Reds lineup. He has batted close to .300 all season, and has added stellar defense, and veteran leadership. He will be playing in his first playoff game since 2006.
Scott Rolen, 3B
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Rolen is a seven-time Gold Glove winner, and knows what it takes to win a World Series, having done so with St. Louis in 2006. He has been a consistent hitter all season for the Reds, and will continue in the playoffs.
Jonny Gomes, LF
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Jonny Gomes started the first two months of the season batting over .300, but has since fizzled. However, Gomes is known to be a streaky hitter, and those are the kinds of hitters that are successful in the playoffs. Gomes will also add plenty of hustle to the Reds' defense.
Orlando Cabrera, SS
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Cabrera will be playing in the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven years. He also has won a World Series with Boston in 2004. He is sure to add proven leadership to this playoff roster.
Bronson Arroyo, Ace
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Arroyo has been a consistent fixture in the Reds rotation for the last five years. Since he was acquired by the Reds at the start of 2006, Bronson has led the team in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and starts. He has won a personal high 17 games this season, and may win one more before the season is through. He will lead the Reds into the playoffs by pitching their first game.
Johnny Cueto, 2nd Starter
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Cueto is having by far his best MLB season. He has 12 wins on the season and a modest 3.64 ERA. If he can get the run support, Cueto will win playoff games for the Reds.
Edinson Volquez, 3rd Starter
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With Mike Leake benched for the season due to an injury, the Reds will most likely make Volquez their third pitcher. Volquez has been shaky for the Reds since returning from Tommy John surgery in July, but the playoffs are an opportunity for him to start over. Volquez will look to leave hitters in the dust with his 98 MPH fastball.
Other Starters
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Playoff teams normally do not start four pitchers, and it is even more rare if they have five starters. Given this, the Reds will probably still start Travis Wood at least one game in each series if needed. The fifth pitcher would either be Aaron Harang or Homer Bailey. Given the choice, Dusty Baker would probably go with the veteran Harang. Look for Bailey to help out the Reds' bullpen.
Bullpen
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The Reds were finally able to stabilize their bullpen, even after some scares during the summer. The bullpen is led by 20-year veteran and first time All-Star Arthur Rhodes. He is the only current Reds reliever to pitch in a playoff game. Closer Francisco Cordero has struggled all season with his control, but Baker will probably keep him in as the Reds playoff closer. The bullpen is also assisted by young fireballers Nick Massett and Aroldis Chapman. Chapman set the MLB record for fasted pitch thrown in a game (105 MPH) last week. To add to the depth of the bullpen are Logan Ondrusek and rookie Sam LeCure.
Bench
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The Reds bench is probably the most versatile in the NL. It includes young catcher Ryan Hanagan, a .292 hitter; Veteran CF Jim Edmonds (though he is injured and his availability is unknown); IF Miguel Cairo, and Paul Janish, and veteran Outfielders Willy Bloomquist and Laynce Nix.
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