2025 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I was fortunate enough to see actual pitchers like Spahn. To me baseball should be a game of skill and finesse rather than raw power. I would hope the art of pitching makes a comeback in MLB, but as you point out, coaches and kids currently in youth baseball are all about throwing as hard as you can.
And sadly the scouts, coaches all gauge how "good" you are off that radar gun. Could care less that you get guys out. It's funny how so many guys get to the big leagues based on the fastball, then they have to figure out how to pitch?
 
Reds reporter Mike Petraligia has a daily post Francona's takeaways....one specific on today's list. Not good for Marte.

Noelvi Marte will have to earn his way back onto MLB roster. Behind Candelario, Lux, CES, Espinal, Steer, Bowman in organizational depth at corner spots. "He's got a lot to earn."
 
he shouldn't be given anything. he crapped on them last year. he will be lucky if he's on the opening day roster.

jtk
()
 
he shouldn't be given anything. he crapped on them last year. he will be lucky if he's on the opening day roster.

jtk
()
Marte and CES are guys that are very similar, if they are not going to play mostly full time, they should be in Louisville to start the season. The Reds didn't bring back Espinal, sign Lux and Hayes to be bench guys. Elly, McLain, Stephenson will be in the lineup daily, after that I could see alot of platooning going on with Lux, Candelario. Steer, Friedl, Hayes, Fraley all moving around and in and out of the lineup.
 
Marte and CES are guys that are very similar, if they are not going to play mostly full time, they should be in Louisville to start the season. The Reds didn't bring back Espinal, sign Lux and Hayes to be bench guys. Elly, McLain, Stephenson will be in the lineup daily, after that I could see alot of platooning going on with Lux, Candelario. Steer, Friedl, Hayes, Fraley all moving around and in and out of the lineup.
Except Marte missed a season for using PEDs CES had an injury. Kind of a big difference.
 
Its official, Marte was shipped to minor league camp today.

I found the following in an article in my CBS fantasy league site in an article on top prospects. Very encouraging, this is a national guy not some Cincy beat reporter.

Chase Burns' stuff looks absolutely absurd – Burns doesn't have a chance to crack the Opening Day rotation, it would seem, but the No. 2 pick in last year's draft could follow in Rhett Lowder's footsteps by making his pro debut a year after being drafted. Burns made his spring debut last week against the Texas Rangers and averaged 99.6 mph with his four-seamer along with a slider that looks ludicrously dominant. He could force his way to the majors by this summer, and he could be a dominant force.
 
Worst medical staff in sports.
I don't necessarily blame the staff, I just wonder how in the heck these guys can "rest" for 4-5 months and not get better? And nothing was ever said about it. Season ended, everyone goes their separate ways. Get back in the spring, oh by the way, Steer was having trouble with his shoulder all season and it's still bothering him????
 
Tyler Stephenson will not begin the season on the active roster. He has an apparent oblique injury - and if you follow baseball much, you know that's the Tommy John of position player kryptonite.
On the surface it's par for the course. I just can't imagine guys getting hurt easier now than at anytime in history. But honestly, is it going to be that telling? We picked up a really good backup from the Yankees in Trevino. Stephenson until most of last season had been a disappointment. Actually going into 2024, I thought he and Luke Maile may do more of a 50/50 split because Stephenson just wasn't very good in '23. Now Tyler did have a good 2024, but not a sustained run.

Some good news, Nick Lodolo looks great, he's poised to ramp up to 100 pitches per start by the end of spring training. We need as many starts as he can give us this season.
 
So no Steer or Stephenson for the first stretch of the season, timetables TBD. Far from ideal. With those two guys out, my guess at the opening day lineup, based on observing the spring lineups:

Friedl - CF
McLain - 2B
De La Cruz - SS
Hays - LF
Candelario - DH
Lux - 3B
CES - 1B
Fraley / Dunn - RF
Trevino - C

Right field may be the only true platoon. possibly Lux/Espinal at 3B.
 
So no Steer or Stephenson for the first stretch of the season, timetables TBD. Far from ideal. With those two guys out, my guess at the opening day lineup, based on observing the spring lineups:

Friedl - CF
McLain - 2B
De La Cruz - SS
Hays - LF
Candelario - DH
Lux - 3B
CES - 1B
Fraley / Dunn - RF
Trevino - C

Right field may be the only true platoon. possibly Lux/Espinal at 3B.
That is one weak a $ $ lineup. Thankfully the starting pitching is very good. Reds just don't care about offense
 
Tyler Stephenson will not begin the season on the active roster. He has an apparent oblique injury - and if you follow baseball much, you know that's the Tommy John of position player kryptonite.
On the surface it's par for the course. I just can't imagine guys getting hurt easier now than at anytime in history. But honestly, is it going to be that telling? We picked up a really good backup from the Yankees in Trevino. Stephenson until most of last season had been a disappointment. Actually going into 2024, I thought he and Luke Maile may do more of a 50/50 split because Stephenson just wasn't very good in '23. Now Tyler did have a good 2024, but not a sustained run.

Some good news, Nick Lodolo looks great, he's poised to ramp up to 100 pitches per start by the end of spring training. We need as many starts as he can give us this season.

Of course now Trevino may be out with a hand injury from a foul tip.
 
Of course now Trevino may be out with a hand injury from a foul tip.
It appears Trevino dodged a bullett. I'd not play him much the rest of the spring. We need him to be ready for the regular season and hope Stephenson is just sore and nothing major going on.
 
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