2001 Record: 66-96, 5th in NL Central 2001 Results | 2002 Schedule | 2002 Roster | 2001 Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 735 runs (12th) Home: 347 runs (12th) Road: 388 (6th) 850 runs allowed (14th) Home: 4.74 ERA (14th) Road: 4.80 ERA (13th) 2001 Stats Leaders   Average: Sean Casey, .310 Runs: Casey, 69 On-base pct: Casey, .369 Stolen bases: Pokey Reese, 25 Wins: Elmer Dessens, 10 Saves: Danny Graves, 32 Home runs: Ken Griffey Jr., 22 RBI: Casey, 89 Slugging pct.: Dmitri Young, .481 OPS: Young, 832 ERA: Dessens, 4.48 Strikeouts: Dessens, 128

ESPN's Take Q: Has Ken Griffey Jr. worn out his welcome in Cincy, or is this the year he returns to hitting 40-plus home runs? Ken Griffey has probably been stung by the recent negative comments about him, and they have in turn probably made him more determined. Baseball is a very tough game to play when you're healthy -- but Junior has been hurt for the past two seasons. Some critics have said that Griffey's game has passed him by, but if his health holds up, he has the built-in determination to turn his career back on the right track. -- Dave Campbell  Jayson Stark's Crystal Ball Junior Griffey will bounce back to hit 50 homers -- but still finish 25 behind his own teammate, Adam Dunn. Sean Casey hit only 13 HRs last season, not enough for a 1B. But we know he can hit for average and the potential is there to knock in 100 runs, especially with two big boppers in Griffey and Dunn hitting ahead of him. Maybe those doubles turn into homers now. The starting rotation doesn't feature great fantasy buys, so look at John Riedling as a reserve pick or cheap reliever. With Danny Graves ever so close to becoming a starter, Reidling stands as a decent bet to get save opportunities. -- Eric Karabell Batting order Todd Walker, 2B Barry Larkin, SS Ken Griffey Jr., CF Sean Casey, 1B Adam Dunn, LF Aaron Boone, 3B Juan Encarnacion, RF Jason LaRue, C Bench Kelly Stinnett, Wilton Guerrero, Juan Castro, Reggie Taylor, Brady Clark Rotation Joey Hamilton, Elmer Dessens, Chris Reitsma, Jose Acevedo, Jimmy Haynes Bullpen Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan, Scott Williamson, Gabe White, Jim Brower, John Riedling Austin Kearns, OF Competed for a starting job in spring training, but was just recently sent back to the minors. Could get the call to the bigs at any time and could turn into a star.

Catcher: Jason LaRue Excellent defensive catcher who threw out 60 percent of potential basestealers in '01. Not much of a hitter (career .232 batting average). Rookie Corky Miller may get some playing time as he's a better hitter (.309 BA combined in Double-A and Triple-A last season). Position Ranking: 9th First Base: Sean Casey Hit .310, the third straight year he's batted .300 or better. But after a productive first five months of the season slumped badly down the stretch, batting .188 in the final month, and once again raising questions about his conditioning. Position Ranking: 6th Second Base: Todd Walker Joined the Reds in midseason after a trade from Colorado and went on to post career highs in runs scored (93), home runs (17) and RBI (75). His .348 career OBP is adequate enough hitting out of the leadoff spot. Position Ranking: 12th Third Base: Aaron Boone Suffered through another injury-filled season in '01, playing in only 103 games. He did, however, hit a career high .294 and also tied his career high with 14 homers. If he's able to stay healthy, could have a breakout season. Position Ranking: 7th Shortstop: Barry Larkin Played in only 45 games and his season ended for good in late June after it was determined that he needed hernia surgery. Will turn 38 in late April and the question remains: does he have anything left? Position Ranking: 6th Left Field: Adam Dunn Was called up from Triple-A in late July and went on to hit 19 home runs in 244 at-bats. In all, he hit 51 homers combined in the majors and minors last year. A true star in the making. Position Ranking: 6th Center Field: Ken Griffey Jr. A severe hamstring injury limited him a great deal last year as he missed 51 games. Did it 22 homers and when projected over an entire season would fall in the 40-plus range. If he stays injury-free, can he regain his title as perhaps the best player in the game? Position Ranking: 1st Right Field: Juan Encarnacion Acquired from the Tigers in the offseason for Dmitri Young, Encarnacion won the battle for the right-field job this spring over prospect Austin Kearns and Ruben Mateo. Isn't a long-term solution as Kearns could take over the spot at any time during the season. Position Ranking: 16th No. 1 Starter: Joey Hamilton Won a total of six games in '01, but heads into this season as the Reds' Opening Day starter. Has had only one sub- 4.00 ERA (3.54 in 2000, but in just six starts) season over the last six years. Ranking among starters: 63rd No. 2 Starter: Elmer Dessens Led Reds in wins (10), ERA (4.48), innings pitched (205) and strikeouts (128) in '01. Reds desperately need him to duplicate those numbers again. Ranking among starters: 47th No. 3 Starter: Chris Reitsma Rookie started out strong, going 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts last April. Slumped after that though, posting a 5-14 record with a 5.74 ERA. Ranking among starters: 59th No. 4 Starter: Jose Acevedo Joined the starting rotation in mid-June and though his 5.44 ERA was high did finish up strong as he was 1-2 with a 3.54 ERA in his final five starts. Ranking among starters: 58th Bullpen: Scott Sullivan, Scott Williamson, Gabe White, Jim Brower, John Riedling Led by Sullivan, who has appeared in 79 games each of the last three years, this group is solid throughout. Williamson is attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery and if successful would be a big boost. Position Ranking: 5th Closer: Danny Graves There was talk that Graves might be moved to the starting rotation, but heading into the season will remain the closer. Depending on how things go, his role could change. Had a career-best 32 saves in '01. Position Ranking: 8th

Overall Power Index Rankings (NL rank):
Position: 7.88 (7th) | Pitching: 12.83 (14th)

-- Matt Szefc