2012 Cincinnati Reds Predictions
The Cincinnati Reds were one of the best stories in baseball in 2010. They made a leap from fourth place to first with 91 wins and ended a 15-year postseason drought. Unfortunately, they were not able to build on their success. They won just 79 games in 2011 and finished third in the division.
Odds makers have made the Reds the early favorite in the National League Central and only time will tell if they’re worthy of the respect.
Projected Pitching
Starting rotation: Johnny Cueto (R) – Cueto could be on the verge of a Cy Young campaign after going 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA in 24 starts last season.
Mat Latos (R) – The Reds are excited about the arrival of Latos, who has a 3.20 ERA in 62 starts the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see if he can have the same success after leaving pitcher-friendly Petco Park.
Bronson Arroyo (R) – After three straight seasons with at least 15 wins, Arroyo took a step back, finishing 9-12 with a 5.07 ERA. He has quietly reached double-digit wins six of the last eight years.
Homer Bailey (R) – He’ll likely be the one to lose his rotation spot if the Reds decide to make Aroldis Chapman a starter. Bailey went 9-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 22 starts last season.
Mike Leake (R) – The Reds are happy about the progress he showed in his second season with the club and believe he can keep advancing. He went 12-9 with a 3.86 ERA in 2011.
Closer: Ryan Madson (R) – Madson was known as an outstanding setup man in Philly but showed he can close last season with 32 saves.
Projected Lineup
Ryan Hanigan (Catcher) – Hanigan is a solid defensive catcher who has thrown out 36 percent of attempting runners in his career..
Joey Votto (First Base) – Votto is coming off another strong season. He led the NL in doubles (40), walks (110) and on-base percentage (.416) and finished with 29 homers and 103 RBIs.
Brandon Phillips (Second Base) – The three-time Gold Glove second baseman hit .300 for the first time in 2011 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs.
Scott Rolen (Third Base) – The Reds are hoping for a bounce back campaign from Rolen, who missed more than half the season following left shoulder surgery. He batted .285 with 20 home runs and 83 RBIs when the Reds won the division in 2010.
Zack Cozart (Shortstop) – Cozart impressed after getting a call-up, batting .324 before going down with a season-ending elbow injury.
Chris Heisey (Left Field) – The Reds are ready to give make Heisey an everyday player after he blasted 18 home runs in a part-time gig last season.
Drew Stubbs (Center Field) – Stubbs led the NL with 205 strikeouts and batted just .243. He did come up with 40 thefts in 50 attempts.
Jay Bruce (Right Field) – Bruce’s batting average went south in 2011 but his power numbers were impressive. He had 32 round trippers and 97 RBIs.
Prediction – 2nd Place NL Central: The Reds should bounce back from a down year and challenge for the top spot in the division. The Reds are listed at +125 to win the NL Central.
