Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Terry Francona
Stadium: Great American Ball Park
2007 Record: 72-90 (5th in NL Cent)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule

2007: Batting Stats | Runs Scored (ranked 7th in NL)

2008 FANTASY PROJECTIONS
PLAYER B POS AB HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Corey Patterson L CF 461 11 45 36 .265 .301 .399
Edwin Encarnacion R 3B 539 24 85 8 .286 .356 .484
Ken Griffey Jr. L RF 488 30 87 3 .281 .364 .518
Adam Dunn L LF 551 42 110 8 .256 .382 .543
Brandon Phillips R 2B 631 26 90 31 .284 .328 .464
Joey Votto L 1B 481 25 80 5 .295 .389 .503
Jeff Keppinger R SS 322 6 43 2 .298 .362 .419
David Ross R C 354 20 52 0 .223 .295 .444
OFF THE BENCH
Scott Hatteberg L INF 224 6 28 0 .295 .382 .442
Ryan Freel R OF 336 4 20 23 .256 .333 .363

STRENGTHS

GM Wayne Krivsky's unwillingness to dump Adam Dunn a year before free agency benefited the organization, but not top prospect Jay Bruce. He returns to Triple-A Louisville after being Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2007. Brandon Phillips has emerged as the best-hitting second baseman in the majors, joining Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. in delivering 30-plus home runs last season. Joey Votto is a promising hitter, but owner Bob Castellini's increased spending allowed Krivsky to hang on to Scott Hatteberg.

WEAKNESSES

Dusty Baker wasn't happy with his center-field situation, so GM Krivsky signed Corey Patterson in early March. Edwin Encarnacion has been a tease throughout his career, looking great at times (including winter ball) but hasn't developed the consistency the Reds hope he will. David Ross missed most of the spring with back problems, never a good thing for a catcher.

 
-- Phil Rogers

PROSPECTS

HITTERS TO WATCH:

First baseman Joey Votto has a great eye at the plate and good power, but he's likely to lose out for the moment to Scott Hatteberg. Slugger Jay Bruce should be up shortly after Votto.

PITCHERS TO WATCH:

Both flamethrowing Homer Bailey and fastball/changeup artist Johnny Cueto should see their share of starts in the Reds' rotation this year.
-- Keith Law, Scouts Inc.

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JUST THE FACTS

• Joey Votto's time is now. Scott Hatteberg hit .310 in '07, but Votto has 25-homer potential. Dusty Baker likes his first basemen to go deep.
• Bruce will be the boss. Ryan Freel, Corey Patterson and Norris Hopper are battling for CF at-bats. When überprospect Jay Bruce arrives, they'll be battling for pinch-hit ABs.
• They're losing the battle of wounded knee. Jeff Keppinger can hit, and Juan Castro can field, but shortstop Alex Gonzalez (fractured left knee) did both.
• The cavalry is coming. Aaron Harang is an ace, Bronson Arroyo a solid No. 2. Homer Bailey and Edinson Volquez ooze upside, and flamethrower Johnny Cueto could surpass them all.

HEARSAY

"They have good young players on the way," says an NL exec. "But they have too many people in the organization wanting their guy to play, and Dusty is caught in the middle."

HOUSE CALL

"I've been in the Opening Day parade for 30 years or so. And I can tell you, typical Reds fans think Pete Rose ought to be in the Hall of Fame. Sure, he made a mistake, but to keep him out of the Hall forever is unconscionable." -- Steve Chabot, R-Ohio
-- Tim Kurkjian

Featured Comment

Seeing that picture of us with Johnny Bench reminds me of a childhood full of cherished memories.


SBTNGuy

Reds fan previews

FANTASY

SLEEPER

Corey Patterson has made enemies of fantasy owners before, but Dusty Baker loves the guy. Patterson might not hit for the same power he used to, but he can steal 30 bases easily, and he's likely to lead off and play every day in center field, much to the dismay of the owners of the demoted Jay Bruce.

BUST

Bronson Arroyo has registered one good year in Cincinnati, and one not-so-good year, so do you feel lucky? He's always been hittable, he allows home runs and his new manager has a rep for abusing his starters, so don't assume any of the fine 2006 Arroyo stats are coming back in 2008.
-- Eric Karabell

INJURIES

Sure, it would be easy to pick Ken Griffey Jr. here. But assuming that Griffey may face an injury during the season, how healthy will the rest of the outfield be? It's a fair question for Adam Dunn since he had surgery to address a torn meniscus in his right knee in late September. He has been doing well this spring, already hitting home runs and showing no signs of lingering problems with the knee. Dunn looks ready to go for 2008.
-- Stephania Bell

PREDICTIONS

  • Jayson Stark

    Stark
    84-78
    3rd in
    NL Central

  • Tim Kurkjian

    Kurkjian
    81-81
    3rd in
    NL Central

  • Buster Olney

    Olney
    78-84
    3rd in
    NL Central

  • Keith Law

    Law
    80-82
    3rd in
    NL Central

  • Steve Phillips

    Phillips
    78-84
    3rd in
    NL Central