Beck Bristow Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I guess it doesn't matter too much, since they are about to be blocked by Senzel fir the next decade at short. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 Luis Castillo, Homer Bailey, and Amir Garrett all looked real string throwing today. If the Reds can get a little bit of health, they will surprise some people this year. I think they could end up over .500 if the rotation isn't anihillated by injury like last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 Supposedly Amir Garrett was sitting 95-97 with his fastball. His velo was down last year with his hip issue he tried to play through, looks like that might be fully healthy now. If this is the new normal, it could be a game changer for Garrett. As long as his arm holds up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Sal Romano, Tyler Mahle, and Amir Garrett have all looked strong so far in spring training games. Romano might be in the lead for that 5th starter spot. Mahle likely starts in AAA regardless for service time issues, but i'll be shocked if he doesn't end the year in the Reds rotation. Brandon Finnegan goes today in return from injury last year. He might have to fight off some of the young talent if he doesn't want to get relegated to the bullpen (where he'd be a huge help, but starters are more valuable than relievers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 I was hoping for a strong showing by Stephenson, but looks like he has struggled. Hope they don't send him to the bullpen, as he really struggled there last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Disco has an oblique injury (again, same type of injury cost him about half of 2016), and Finnegan left his start over the weekend with a "knot" in his back. Finnegan says he is fine, but odds are Disco won't be ready for opening day. That leaves 2, and possibly 3 rotation spots open if Finnegan has any other setbacks. Right now the rotation situation looks like this: Guaranteed spots if healthy: Homer Bailey (contract/veteranynes) Luis Castillo (BAMF) Beyond that Finnegan is highly likely as long as he has no other setbacks. I'd have to put the pecking order for the last 2-3 spots like such: Sal Romano (absolutely dominant 4 IP his last outing, 1 H, 0 BB, 7 K, 30 pitches) Amir Garrett (Has looked very good and his velo is back to where it was pre-hip injury if not a tick higher Robert Stephenson (Had a rough first start which was his first action of the spring, looked good over his last 2 starts) Michael Lorenzen (Very up and down, highly doubtful he escapes the bullpen) Tyler Mahle (Has been very good this spring, but will start in AAA for service time shenanigans) Now with 2 early off days, odds are they don't use the 5th starter until about game 11 or so, so opening day the rotation is likely: Luis Castillo Homer Bailey Brandon Finnegan Sal Romano and then when that 5th pitcher is needed, I think they bring up Amir Garrett. Bob Steve could still catch him (was very good the last 8 starts last year, sub 2.5 ERA in that stretch), but he needs to have a flawless last few spring performances to pass Garrett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I've got Stephenson over Garrett. Bob responded down the stretch last year and looked ready to contribute. As long as he does not fall apart, I'd start him in Cincinnati. I am expecting Finnegan to be the 5th starter and get some rest to start the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 9 hours ago, Beck Bristow said: I've got Stephenson over Garrett. Bob responded down the stretch last year and looked ready to contribute. As long as he does not fall apart, I'd start him in Cincinnati. I am expecting Finnegan to be the 5th starter and get some rest to start the season. I can see that. Stephenson may have the best combination of pitches on the staff, he just has to get the control in hand. He's shown flashes of it in the past. His profile screams of a guy who is going to put it together a little later and then dominate a la what Jake Arrieta did. If he does, a staff anchored by Castillo and Stephenson with solid pieces like Romano and Mahle behind them could be a dynamite pitching staff. Not to mention the other high upside guys like Garrett, Gutierrez, Santillan, and Hunter Greene that are in the pipeline. That'd be rotation stability (barring injury) through 2023. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Hunter Greene made his first spring training start. 2 IP 0 R 0 H 1 BB 4 K 32 pitches 20 strikes Fastballl say 98-99, topped out at 101 Slider was 85-87 with good bite Curveball was solid at 78-80 The strike rate was a little lower than you'd like, but not terrible. The slider was generating a lot of buzz. That he gets that kind of velo with such a smooth delivery is amazing. He also looks like he has added muscle since this time last year. He looks imposing out on the mound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Extended Suarez today. Makes me happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Beck Bristow said: Extended Suarez today. Makes me happy. 7 year, $66 million extension with a team option for an 8th year at $15 million. I'm absolutely thrilled at this extension. Even if we go through 2025, he'll still only be 33. We have him for all his prime years and aren't on the hook for multiple decline years. His improvement in plate discipline and defense at 3B last year were really good indicators that his value is going to hold up. I expect he hits higher than .260 as well. Hit .260/.367/.461 last year, I could see him posting a .280/.380/.500 line over the next few years with plus defense at 3B. Geno, along with Tucker Barnhart are my favorite Reds right now, so I'm pumped to see them both here the next 4 years at the minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I was happy before I saw the numbers. Amazing to have him on that contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Beck Bristow said: I was happy before I saw the numbers. Amazing to have him on that contract. If he continues to play like last year an AAV of under $10 million is an absolute steal. Nick Senzel to SS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I'm not sure I am as excited about this deal if he hasn't looked so good at short this year. That's a fantastic combination over there by mid season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted March 27, 2018 Author Share Posted March 27, 2018 Hunter Greene in his spring training start yesterday: FB: 97-101 SL: 87-89 CH: 86-88 Command was very impressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.