AUTHOR: Reds03 TITLE: The Competition To Be #5 DATE: 11:21:00 PM ----- BODY:

Finally, after a long winter, Spring Training is almost here. Adrenaline rushes through players, coaches, and fans, knowing that the 162 game quest for a title is about to begin. The one big question asked going into Reds camp is this. Who will be there #5 starter on April 5th? Harang, Arroyo, Cueto and Bailey are all locks to make the rotation, but numeous guys will be fighting for 1 spot. Here are the candidates for the final spot available. 1. Aroldis Chapman- We all know who is this 22 year old Cuban is. The Reds signed Chapman this past January to a 6 year, $3o contract. Chapman caught scouts by surprise with his 102 mph fastball during the WBC; however, Chapman has had problems with control. During the 2006-2007 season in Cuba, Chapman struck out 100 in 81.3 innings, but walked 50. In the 2008-2009 season, the the young Cuban struck out 130 batters,, but walked 62 in just 118.1 IP. Another issue with Chapman is hit inability to throw his secondary pitches. I think he will need to be developed in the Minors, before making the rotation. 2. Travis Wood- This lefty was drafted by the Reds out of high school in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft. Wood who lacks any MLB experience, has pretty good Minor League numbers. In the 2009 season, Wood has an ERA of 1.77 pitching in both AA and AAA. Travis Wood has also had some bumps in the road. In AA in 08, Wood had an ERA of over 7 in 119 IP in AA. Wood does not have a over powering fastball, but has a dirty Change up. He is my pick to get the job. 3. Matt Maloney- Another lefty competing for the job. Maloney has made a few spot starts for the Reds in his career, but this year he wants more than a few. Maloney had a 4.87 ERA in 7 starts as a Red last year. He has pretty good control and decent secondary stuff. His fastball can reach the low 90s. His command is very good resulting in only 24 walks in AAA last year. Maloney was acquired from the Phillies for Kyle Lohse, and I believe he will have 8-12 starts in the MLB this year. 4. Micah Owings- This 28 year old right hander was acquired in the Adam Dunn trade of 08. As most of us already know, Owings is the best hitting pitcher in the Bigs. He is a career .300 hitter, in 170 ABs. Last year Owings was the Reds first option to pinch hit off the bench, but his hitting will not earn him the spot. Last year, Owings posted a 5.34 ERA in 19 starts last year. The inability to pitch deep into games has hurt Micah, as he was moved to the pen near the end of last year. It is believed that Owings will not make the rotation, but will be the long reliever. 5. Justin Lehr- This is probably the least known of the guys competing for the job. Lehr was the 5th starter from about August 1st until the end of the year. Lehr had a 5.37 ERA in 11 starts. Lehr, like Owings, does not have overpowering stuff, but locates very well. The downside of Lehr is that he is already 33 years of age, but does have a legitimate shot at making the rotation. 6. Mike Leake- Leake was the Reds 1st round draft pick of 2009. Leake led the NCAA in wins going 16-1, with a 1.71 ERA at ASU. His 40 career wins is the 2nd most in school history. Leake has been compared to Tim Hudson will his athleticism, and has the ability to pitch deep into games. His fastball ranges from 88-94, but is usually around 91 mph. His best pitch is the slider, but also has a change up, and curve. I don't see Leake in the rotation until 2012, though. Who said Spring Training doesn't matter?!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ebes DATE:2/14/2010 07:31:00 AM Thanks for the scoop. Looks like the Reds are really stocked.Looks like a tough and of course controversial deciscion is in Dusty's future.The Reds are in a good position this year and might need who ever ddoesn't come up to the big's, out of camp,in what might shape up to be a protracted stretch run. In a divasion that looks very good. ----- --------