CINCINNATI REDS
| Clayton Andrews (23, L) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 10 7 27 26 2 1 0 162 112 46 193 228 1999 AA 10 8 25 25 0 0 0 133 143 69 93 393 2000 AAA 8 7 19 18 0 0 0 103 114 42 59 482 |
| Andrews looked like hot stuff in 1998, but he hasn't pitched well the past two years. He's still a kid, only 23 years old; the Reds got him during the winter in the Steve Parris deal. He might be decent in the future, but he's probably not going to help much in 2001. |
| Kimera Bartee (OF, 29, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 DET 57 98 19 5 1 3 20 15 6 35 233 320 315 9 5 1999 DET 41 77 15 1 3 0 11 3 9 20 195 279 285 3 3 |
| Bartee auditioned a few years ago with the Tigers, but has spent most of the last four years in the minors, only getting the occasional chance as a pinch runner/defensive replacement. He's a better hitter than he was five years ago, and could probably handle a job as a fourth/fifth outfielder. |
| Aaron Boone (3B, 28, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 58 181 51 13 2 2 24 28 15 36 282 350 409 6 1 1999 CIN 139 472 132 26 5 14 56 72 30 79 280 330 445 17 6 2000 CIN 84 291 83 18 0 12 44 43 24 52 285 356 471 6 1 |
| The younger of the Boone brothers had another good year at the plate, but missed half the season with a knee injury. He's very easy to like, a .280 hitter with developing power, and an oustanding percentage base stealer. He's not a star, but I think he can hit .300 with 20 homers in a season. |
| James Brower (28, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 13 5 23 23 2 2 0 156 142 38 91 301 1999 AAA 11 11 27 27 0 0 0 160 164 59 76 473 2000 AAA 9 4 16 15 1 0 0 101 99 24 68 311 |
| The Indians were hoping that Brower might be a solution to their problems in the starting rotation; that didn't work out, and he was dealt to Cincinnati after the season. He's a workhorse with good control, and he pitched well with Buffalo; he might not be a disaster if given another shot at starting games. |
| Sean Casey (1B, 27, L/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 96 302 82 21 1 7 44 52 43 45 272 365 417 1 1 1999 CIN 151 594 197 42 3 25 103 99 61 88 332 399 539 0 2 2000 CIN 133 480 151 33 2 20 69 85 52 80 315 385 517 1 0 |
| Casey fractured his thumb in April, and got a late start on the season; by September, however, he was back in top form, hitting .315 with good power. He's an outstanding hitter who should be ready to have his best season, and he's one of the best candidates to win the batting title. |
| Juan Castro (IF, 29, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 AAA 116 423 116 25 4 7 52 51 34 70 274 325 402 2 3 |
| Castro is a very poor hitter, but Larkin's injury gave him lots of playing time with the Reds. He is sure-handed in the field and has decent range, but is not as good defensively as either Larkin or Reese. His weak bat will probably land him back in the minors before too long. |
| Norm Charlton (38, L) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BAL-ATL 2 1 49 0 0 0 1 48 53 33 47 544 1999 TAM 2 3 42 0 0 0 0 51 49 36 45 444 2000 RELEASED |
| Charlton was released in April, and didn't pitch the rest of the year. He might be given an invite to spring training, but there is no evidence that he can still pitch. |
| Brady Clark (OF, 28, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AA 64 222 60 13 1 2 41 16 31 34 270 370 365 12 4 1999 AA 138 506 165 37 4 17 103 75 89 58 326 425 516 25 17 2000 AAA 132 487 148 41 6 16 90 79 72 51 304 397 511 12 8 |
| Clark is the Reds' oldest prospect. Wait, there's more: he's also not a bad hitter. He's not going to be a star, but he does lots of things well at the plate, and he can produce some runs. And he is cheaper than Dante Bichette. |
| D.T. Cromer (1B, 30, L/L) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 125 504 148 30 3 16 75 85 32 93 294 338 460 12 6 1999 AAA 136 535 166 37 4 30 83 107 44 98 310 362 563 4 3 2000 AAA 106 415 112 26 3 14 58 67 33 84 270 320 448 6 4 |
| It took Cromer a long time to get his first at bats in them majors, and he made the most of them. 1999 was the first time that he looked like a real player; last year he struggled with Louisville, but his brief hot streak with the Reds might get him another chance as a pinch hitter. |
| Gookie Dawkins (SS, 22, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 A 102 367 97 7 6 1 52 30 37 60 264 332 324 37 10 1999 A 76 305 83 10 6 8 56 32 35 38 272 346 423 38 13 1999 AA 32 129 47 7 0 2 24 13 14 17 364 427 465 15 5 2000 AA 95 368 85 20 6 6 54 31 40 71 231 310 367 22 10 |
| Fans in Cincinnati have already begun to salivate about an imminent "Gookie/Pokey" double play combination. But Dawkins had a bad year at Chattanooga; he's still probably a couple of years away from playing in the big leagues, and the Reds already have a pretty decent shortstop in Larkin. Dawkins is very young, and could potentially hit well enough to be a solid shortstop; unfortunately, by the time he replaces Larkin, Pokey may already have moved on. |
| Leo Estrella (26, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 11 11 25 25 3 0 0 149 154 36 124 405 1999 A 14 7 27 24 2 2 0 168 166 47 116 321 2000 AA-AAA 10 9 28 28 6 3 0 166 136 70 111 386 |
| A young pitcher whom the Reds acquired from the Blue Jays, Estrella is a mediocre prospect who might be able to fill in at the rear end of the rotation. |
| Seth Etherton (24, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 1 5 9 7 1 0 0 48 57 12 35 614 1999 AA 10 10 24 24 4 1 0 168 153 43 153 327 2000 AAA 3 2 9 9 0 0 0 58 60 19 50 401 |
| Etherton looked great in 1999; last year he was up and down between Anaheim and Edmonton, and never got into a groove. The Reds got him during the winter; he looks good, and may be an important part of Cincy's rotation this year. |
| Danny Graves (28, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CIN 2 1 62 0 0 0 8 81 76 28 44 332 1999 CIN 8 7 75 0 0 0 27 111 90 49 69 308 2000 CIN 10 5 66 0 0 0 30 91 81 42 53 256 |
| Graves is a bit of a mystery, a guy who gets better every year even though he doesn't throw a lot of strikes. He's the closer in Cincinnati, and has been a reliable, durable performer for three straight years. I don't expect him to get better, but he should remain effective. |
| Ken Griffey Jr (CF, 31, L/L) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SEA 161 633 180 33 3 56 120 146 76 121 284 365 611 20 5 1999 SEA 160 606 173 26 3 48 123 134 91 108 285 384 576 24 7 2000 CIN 145 520 141 22 3 40 100 118 94 117 271 387 556 6 4 |
|
He had a good year, but... Griffey's numbers have declined steadily for three straight seasons now. This guy is supposed to be the best player in baseball, and the game's biggest star, and right now he's neither. I mean, he's a terrific player, but better than Willie Mays? No way. Better than Barry Bonds? No chance. Griffey is going to the Hall Of Fame. He may hit 700 home runs. Whether he will start hitting .300 again, and re-establish himself as an MVP candidate, remains to be seen. |
| Wilton Guerrero (IF/OF, 26, S/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 LA-MON 116 402 114 14 9 2 50 27 14 63 284 307 378 8 2 1999 MON 132 315 92 15 7 2 42 31 13 38 292 324 403 7 6 2000 MON 127 288 77 7 2 2 30 23 19 41 267 312 326 8 1 |
| Guerrero doesn't have any power, doesn't get on base, doesn't steal many bases. He doesn't have a defensive position. Hitting for average is about the only thing he does well... but even then, he only hit .267 last year. He really shouldn't be playing in the major leagues. |
| Brian Hunter (OF, 30, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 DET 142 595 151 29 3 4 67 36 36 94 254 298 333 42 12 1999 DET-SEA 139 539 125 13 6 4 79 34 37 91 232 280 301 44 8 2000 COL-CIN 104 240 64 5 1 1 47 14 27 40 267 342 308 20 3 |
| Hunter can steal bases and play good outfield defense, but he is a really awful hitter. He began the year in Colorado, where he hit .275 with 1 home run, and you need more offense than that to play with the Rockies. He was dealt to the Reds, struggled badly, and his future is in doubt. We know that you don't want to give him 500 at bats in a season... but do you want to give him 200? Or 100? Can you use him as a pinch runner/defensive sub, and not let him bat at all? |
| Jason LaRue (CA, 27, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AA 105 386 141 39 8 14 71 82 40 60 365 429 617 4 3 1999 AAA 70 263 66 12 2 12 42 37 15 52 251 299 449 0 3 2000 AAA 82 307 78 22 1 14 54 48 22 52 254 320 469 3 2 |
| LaRue can catch and he can hit home runs, and that combination should get him some playing time. Though he had some big years in the lower minors, for the moment it doesn't appear as if he will hit any higher than .250 in the majors. |
| Barry Larkin (SS, 37, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 145 538 166 34 10 17 93 72 79 69 309 397 504 26 3 1999 CIN 161 583 171 30 4 12 108 75 93 57 293 390 420 30 8 2000 CIN 102 396 124 26 5 11 71 41 48 31 313 389 487 14 6 |
| Larkin missed more time with injuries, but apparently is going to finish his career in Cincinnati. When healthy, he is still the best shortstop in the National League. |
| Hal Morris (1B, 36, L/L) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 KC 127 472 146 27 2 1 50 40 32 52 309 350 381 1 0 1999 CIN 80 102 29 9 0 0 10 16 10 21 284 348 373 0 0 2000 CIN-DET 99 169 47 9 1 3 24 14 31 26 278 391 396 0 0 |
| Morris is a .300 hitter who doesn't hit .300 any more. He drew more walks last season, and had a decent Dave Magadan-type season off the bench. He's now 36 years old; in my own personal opinion, Morris' contributions are very limited, and I wouldn't want him on my team unless he can get on base 40% of the time. |
| Alex Ochoa (29, OF, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 MIN 94 249 64 14 2 2 35 25 10 35 257 288 353 6 3 1999 MIL 119 277 83 16 3 8 47 40 45 43 300 404 466 6 4 2000 CIN 118 244 77 21 3 13 50 58 24 27 316 378 586 8 4 |
| Ochoa had his second straight outstanding season, despite missing part of the summer due to an appendectomy. He has established himself as an outstanding fourth outfielder; whether he could succeed as a regular... well, last season the Reds gave a regular job to Dante Bichette, and I have to think that Ochoa can play at least well, probably better. |
| Pokey Reese (2B, 28, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 59 133 34 2 2 1 20 16 14 28 256 322 323 3 2 1999 CIN 149 585 167 37 5 10 85 52 35 81 285 330 417 38 7 2000 CIN 135 518 132 20 6 12 76 46 45 86 255 319 386 29 3 |
| The good news about Reese is that he is the best defensive second baseman in baseball, an outstanding baserunner, and he helps a little bit at the plate. The bad news is that I think 1999 was a career year, that he's going to be a .250 hitter for most of his career. He's still a good player. |
| Frank Rodriguez (28, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 MIN 4 6 20 11 0 0 0 70 88 30 62 656 1999 SEA 2 4 28 5 0 0 3 73 94 30 47 565 2000 SEA 2 1 23 0 0 0 0 47 60 22 19 627 |
| This is the guy who doesn't get anybody out. |
| Donnie Sadler (IF, 26, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 2000 AAA 91 313 63 6 5 5 45 23 45 60 201 306 300 10 1 |
| After three seasons, Sadler is a career .242 hitter - and to be honest, I think he has overachieved. He is young and he is versatile and his defense is respectable, but he is a really awful hitter whose value is limited. |
| Chris Sexton (IF, 30, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 132 462 131 22 6 2 88 43 72 67 284 378 370 7 3 1999 AAA 60 171 58 9 0 0 23 17 28 22 339 430 392 5 1 2000 AAA 99 389 126 19 1 7 79 50 63 45 324 416 432 8 4 |
| Sexton played very well with Louisville, but not with Cincinnati. He's now had two chances with two different clubs to establish himself as a valuable utility infielder, but has failed both times. Time is running out on him. |
| Kelly Stinnett (CA, 31, R/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 ARI 92 274 71 14 1 11 35 34 35 74 259 353 438 0 1 1999 ARI 88 284 66 13 0 14 36 38 24 83 232 302 426 2 1 2000 ARI 76 240 52 7 0 8 22 33 19 56 217 291 346 0 1 |
| Stinnett's average took another tumble last season, plus he also lost his power stroke. He needs a comeback, but I doubt that he has one in him. |
| Scott Sullivan (30, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CIN 5 5 67 0 0 0 1 102 98 36 86 521 1999 CIN 5 4 79 0 0 0 3 114 88 47 78 301 2000 CIN 3 6 79 0 0 0 3 106 87 38 96 347 |
| A wonderful pitcher, one of the best middle relievers in baseball. Sullivan is durable, and last year led all relievers in innings pitched. He could be the closer on some other teams. |
| Michael Tucker (OF, 30, L/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 ATL 130 414 101 27 3 13 54 46 49 112 244 327 418 8 3 1999 CIN 133 296 75 8 5 11 55 44 37 81 253 338 426 11 4 2000 CIN 148 270 72 13 4 15 55 36 44 64 267 381 511 13 6 |
| Tucker's playing time dropped for the third straight year, yet he still managed to set career highs in home runs and stolen bases. Tucker is a decent player to have as a fourth outfielder, or as part of a platoon. Even as a regular, he wouldn't be too bad. |
| Jeff Wallace (25, L) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1999 AAA 2 2 15 0 0 0 3 14 18 8 14 879 |
| Wallace is a young left-hander with very poor control. He won't be good unless he starts throwing more strikes, and there is no evidence that he is about to start doing that. |
| Scott Williamson (25, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA-AAA 4 5 23 23 0 0 0 121 105 55 122 373 |
| Williamson had a good sophomore season, though I'm still not convinced that he has greatness in his future. He's very tough to hit, but his control stinks right now; also, he's been converted from a closer to a starter within the past year, and how often does that work out? He also went on the DL in August with a lower back strain. He's a good pitcher, but his potential is probably limited. |
| Mark Wohlers (31, R) |
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YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 ATL 0 1 27 0 0 0 8 20 18 33 22 1018 1999 CIN 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 0 2700 2000 CIN 1 2 20 0 0 0 0 28 19 17 20 450 |
| After the season ended, the Reds gave him an outrageous contract, $2.5 million or something like that. Their explanation: he was being rewarded for all of his hard work. Wohlers pitched reasonably well at the end of the season... but there's no evidence that he will ever be a good pitcher again. No one has ever come back from the kind of mental problems he had from 1998-99. |
| Dmitri Young (OF/1B, 27, S/R) |
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YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 144 536 166 48 1 14 81 83 47 94 310 364 481 2 4 1999 CIN 127 373 112 30 2 14 63 56 30 71 300 352 504 3 1 2000 CIN 152 548 166 37 6 18 68 88 36 80 303 346 491 0 3 |
| Young is a pretty good hitter, a switch-hitter who consistently bats .300 with lots of doubles and a few home runs. There are some things that he doesn't do well; for one thing, it would be nice if a player with his body could hit some more home runs. He doesn't get on base a great deal, he's not a fast runner (though he did hit six triples last season!!), and his defence... he should be entering his prime years now, and will be a DH before too long. |