Return of Votto

Posted by CincyRedhawk on 23. June 2009 12:30

Joey Votto is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to tonight's game in his hometown of Toronto.  Having him in the lineup should be a big boost for a club that's having problems scoring runs right now.  While it may take a few games for him to knock the rust off, I think he'll be able to contribute at a high level again and produce some runs. The Reds haven't played well since he went on the DL (8-12), but haven't fallen out of contention either.  If Joey can work his way back to where he was the Reds could make quite a run at first place in the near future!

I've seen a lot of comments on other blogs wanting to trade Votto or know exactly why he went on the DL.  I think the people asking for the Reds to give up on such a talented young player are lunatics!  Why would you be so willing to get rid of a guy who was runner up to the Rookie of the Year last year, and having a great start to this season?  Do we need to know why he was on the DL?  I think everyone would like to know, but at the same time give the guy some time and space to do it on his own terms.  I don't want to even speculate on what he's trying to overcome.

Let's hope for a good road series in our neighbor to the North with the Reds on the winning side of things!  The best news is that we don't have to face Halladay!

Pitching keeping the Reds in the thick of things

Posted by CincyRedhawk on 19. June 2009 11:36

It's been years since Cincinnati has seen quality pitching like they've has thus far this season.  The top 5 in the bullpen have only given up 26 earned runs in 128.1 innings this year.  Are the Nasty Boys back?  The starting pitching has also been string this year.  It seems like a rare night where the started doesnt make in into the late innings of the game. The battle cry around Cincinnati the past few seasons was always "If only we had some pitching."  That time may finally have arrived.  If they can get the bats going and out of this slump we could be a very dangerous team.

Speaking of the batting, it wasn't too long ago when people were all aboard the Rosales express.  It seems like he isn't getting the regular playing time anymore that his bat is being affected.  With a young kid like Rosales it makes you wonder if he'd be better served back in AAA for a bit to get his confidence and swing back.  Maybe even give Hairston a few days off since he's cooled down recently.  The good news is that Joey Votto started his rehab assignment yesterday and should be back within the next 10 days, and EE should be starting his rehab soon.  I know EE is hitting a measly .127, but he's a proven major leage hitter with a career .260 average.

Even with the lack of offence, the Reds are only 3.5 game behind the Brewers in the NL Central.  It's nice having a team again that's hanging around and making every night enjoyable for the fans.

Cincinnati will have a large spotlight this weekend as they host the 2009 Civil Rights Game.  All the festivities and hype around the game should make for a great atmosphere at the old ballpark.  I'm looking forward to an exciting weekend of Reds baseball!

On the road again

Posted by Number 1 fan on 29. May 2009 08:13

Tonight begins a pretty do or die stretch for the Reds.  First there are three games on the road against division rival Milwaukee.  Then a four game stretch against division leader St. Louis.  Followed up with a division favorite in a three game home series against the Cubs.  If the Reds can win these three series... watch out.

How have the Reds fared thus far against these teams?  17-9 against the central division.  The Reds have also been playing some great baseball on the road this season (and now they even have a winning record at home 13-12)

Edinson Volquez and Brandon Phillips should be returning to the team during this stretch and with the RBI's and excellent pitching the Reds have a good shot to take over the division right now.

Side Note: There is a debate about what to do at third base.  I for one am not totaly impressed with Rosales.  He is a decent fill in player and I am glad there is that option but I think Edwin when healthy needs to be your starting 3rd baseman.  Check out some of these stats from a commenter on the Enquirer's blog:

the reds production from third base so far this year--
ranked in the nl--
third base--
14th in avg
13th in obp
14th in slug
14th in ops

last year EE's rank amongst qualified thirdbasemen:
8th in avg
6th in obp
6th in slug
6th in ops
5th in HRS

collectively--
the reds at third were:
(out of all 16 teams)
10th in avg
6th in obp
6th in slug
6th in ops
3rd in HRS

so last year with EE at third we got FAR BETTER production at third base than we are getting this year with 5 guys playing thirdbase

and specifically--
in his 19 games at third rosales is .258 .338 .403 .741
and last year edwin was .252 .341 .468 .810

as per HRs--
encarnacion avg a HR every 19 ABs
rosales avg a HR every 41 ABs

as per errors--
ee had 23 errors in 330 total chances -- one error in 14.3 chances
rosales has 2 errors in 32 total chances -- one error in 16 chances

ee had a 2.23 range factor
and rosales has a 1.77 range factor

so rosales fields ball slightly more cleanly (around 12% more), but edwin gets to far more balls (around 25%)

Taking care of business at home

Posted by Number 1 fan on 27. May 2009 15:22

I am not going to lie, after the sweep of the Reds by the Padres I was a little worried that this season was going to come crashing down fairly fast.  I mean, from the outside, the Reds are a bunch of no name players (minus Phillips and the pitchers) that are stringing together some solid wins.  From the inside you have guys like Votto who should be in first for the batting title with a few more RBI's (which are coming quick) and crazy Adam Rosales that is so excited to get up to bat he almost bats out of turn.

My favorite player currently is still Willy Taveras.  I mean we shared some popcorn:

Is it too early to talk about playoffs?  I think it might, but I do think if this team stays healthy and continues to pitch decently the Reds may be attempting to make a significant move before the trade deadline.  Do we still need a big bat in the lineup?  Maybe.  For right now, lets look into sweeping the Astros and continuing to win the series.

The Reds Keep rolling

Posted by Number 1 fan on 12. May 2009 10:42

This team is just playing well.  Again, the small ball comparisons were shattered last night with a ton of hitting by the Reds.  My new favorite player and fellow popcorn lover Willy Taveras went 5 for 5.  Amazing.

A little while ago we did a post about the comparison of Rosales and Encarnacion.  Now it is pretty hard to rag on Rosales after 2 doubles and a dinger last night but, his play at third base is terrible.  I meant to note about last Thursday's game (the same one where he had the 4th play on sports centers top 10) he totaly blew a routine play at second because he double clutched the ball before the throw.  Even the top play mentioned above was on a ball he misplayed.

I love the way Edwin plays third.  I love the way Rosales is batting.  Can we somehow morph the two to get one heck of a ballplayer?

Keep taking the series

Posted by Number 1 fan on 11. May 2009 09:27

Bottom of the ninth, down a run.  2 out.  Full count.  You have a pitcher pinch hitting.  The last statement isn't really fair to say.  This is a pitcher who is hitting .333 this season and could be argued as the best pinch hitter on the team.  What does he do?  Pops one to left center for the game tying home run.

Good teams in baseball find a way to stay in the game. This years Reds seem to be doing just that. With great pitching from the starters through the bullpen the Reds are hanging on 3 games over 500.

I have also heard the term "Small Ball" being thrown around with this team. I would argue that the Reds are not a small ball team. It seems whenever we get a guy on first and attempt to play small ball we end up with a guy on second one out and he stays there.  The Reds don't steal enough bases or bunt well enough to be considered a small ball team. (5 homeruns yesterday also does not scream small ball)

Then we have Rosales.  Nice homerun kid. Way better then almost every other at bat where a guy is on first and you hit into a fielders choice. Way to sprint around the bases on your homerun. I think with that kind of energy you could double as a local superhero (wait a minute.... ShadowHare?)

Let's keep it up this week in Arizona.

Rosales vs. Encarnacion

Posted by Under Argo on 4. May 2009 10:16

In the left corner with 63 at bats and only 8 hits with a whopping batting average of .127.... Edwin Encarnacion (on the DL with a wrist injury).  And in the right corner with 12 at bats and 5 hits and a batting average of .417 Adam Rosales (called up from AAA ball in Louisville to replace Edwin while he is on the DL).  The winner of this fight will stay on the Reds roster... Who's it going to be?

                            VS.

It is no secret that the Reds biggest strength is their pitching and their biggest weekness is hitting.  Right now, the Reds are enjoying a winning record (13-11) and are tied with Chicago at 3.5 games behind first place St. Louis in the NL Central.  It's an exciting time for Reds fans... for now.  Baseball fans know that even though pitching is important, you can't rely just on pitching.  Playoff teams score runs and scoring runs is what the Reds are having a hard time doing.  Right now, the Reds are third from the basement when it comes to team batting average, hitting only .241. 

If the hitting does not improve, the Reds will not be able to maintain their current over .500 record.  All it takes is an injury in the pitching staff, a pitcher having a bad week, or the pitching staff having a couple bad series to send this team into a hole that they won't be able to get out of because they can't score runs. 

Common sense says that when there is a problem, you should fix it.  One problem for the Reds may have been fixed for them but will the front office keep it fixed?  When Encarnacion went to the DL bringing up Rosales, the reds 3rd baseman position potentially went from a .127 batting average to a .417 average.  I know that Rosales's batting average will even out over time (if he is given time) but if it evens out and stays above .127 it's still an improvement.  For arguments sake, I'm going to play both sides of the argument:

Why Rosales should stay after Encarnacion comes off the DL:  When your team is hitting .241, anything to imporve the teams batting average must be done.  After 15 days, if Rosales does anything better than Encarnacion (which he already has) he has to stay on the Reds... right?  Fans have already fallen in love with him; he helped the grounds crew before a game (how many players do you remember doing that?), he sprints to first base after a walk (remind you of someone?), and he sprints back to the dugout after he flies out.  How can a kid like this, who obviously loves the game of baseball, not make you want him to stay.  Another reason is what happened to Encarnacion last time he was sent down to the minors.  He was having a season much like this one.  He wasn't hitting and somebody from the Louisville Bats was (I think it was Jeff Keppinger in 2007).  When Edwin came back, he went on a tear.  Could that happen again?  Who knows.

Why Encarnacion should go back to 3rd base when he comes off the DL:  Money.  Plain and simple, money.  He's making too much money to sit on the bench or to continually need to be sent down to the minors so he can stay motivated.  Edwin can also go on these ridiclous streaks.  He has the capability to change games or a whole series because of his bat.  Unfortunately he's unbelievably inconsistant. 

Who wins (or who should win):  Rosales.  Encarnacion is not hitting and he's a liability on defense.  Keeping Rosales on the Reds will do nothing but improve this team in all aspects of the game, especially in hitting which is what they really need.  Like I said, it's common sense.  If Rosales finishes these 15 days and is still hitting above .400 or in the .300's, the Reds would be smart to keep him on the team.  We'll see what happens in 9 more days.

Rake anyone?

Posted by Number 1 fan on 29. April 2009 09:13

Apparently Edwin Encarnacion has been placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a chipped bone in his left wrist.  This gives the Reds the first opportunity of the season to bring up Adam Rosales from Triple A Louisville.

So far this season all this 25 year old kid has done is hit the ball.  In 71 plate appearances he has a .431 batting average, .479 on-base percentage and .754 slugging percentage.  This is good news because the Reds can use some offense.  This homestand has been pretty terrible so far.