RIDING THE
PINE IN 2011
2.13.11
BY:MSR
THE BENCH
RIDING THE PINE IN 2011
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America
With spring training right around the corner this
year's preview of our beloved Reds is almost complete. Bringing up the rear
is the segment devoted to the back up players. The bench jockeys. The
players who provide the baseball chatter and the high fives. The role
players. A group of guys that provide the depth that every ball club needs.
They do more than spit sunflower seed shells. They chew lots of gum and
tobacco as well as play their fair share of pranks on one another.
Seriously, this group is the glue that holds a team together from April
through September. Providing a veteran player with a much needed day off.
Like a day game after a night game for example. A bench player will also
provide a lift to the ball club by giving a slumping starter some time off
to figure things out. Double switches in the late innings, platoon
situations that may rise up and playing a 162 game schedule there will be
injuries that occur. These guys have to stay prepared and ready to play at
any time. As for Opening Day, they will be riding the pine. Cheering on
their mates from the dugout, spitting seed shells and providing the chatter
I adore. Here are Dusty's bench mates of 2011.
With a 25 man active roster, Dusty Baker has limited positions available for
his bench. He has 8 starting position players, a 5 man starting pitching
rotation, and 7 relievers in the bullpen. That leaves just enough room for a
5 player bench. Depending on the schedule these positions can be juggled a
bit but for the sake of this segment, we are going into Opening Day with 5
players on the pine. Dusty will have a back up catcher, 2 back up
outfielders, and 2 back up infielders. These important jobs will be won in
spring training. Here are the projected 5 in order of importance and value.
Ryan Hanigan #29: Back up catcher. Bronson's battery mate. Had a tremendous
season at the plate last year. Handles the pitching staff well. In a platoon
role sharing the starting duties with Ramon Hernandez. The 2010 Reds had
great contributions from their catchers. Hanigan and Hernandez combined
batting line...516 AB...55 Runs scored...154 Hits...29 2B...12 HR...88
RBI....298 AVG...This could be an even better year if they both remain
healthy.
Miguel Cairo #43: Back up infielder. Can back up Scott Rolen at third. Can
back up Joey Votto at first. Did both admirably well last year. This solid
right handed bat provided big base hits last year batting .290. The 37 year
old also provided a big leadership role by teaching the younger guys what it
is all about to be a big leaguer. My "Bench Captain."
Edgar Renteria #16: Back up SS/infielder. Signed as a free agent to back up
first time starter Paul Janish. This 35 year old brings a very impressive
resume to Cincinnati. Two World Series rings as well as a World Series MVP
from last year. Though plagued by injuries in 2010 he managed to bat .276 in
72 games played with only 243 at bats. The career .287 hitter managed to get
healthy enough to bat .286 in last year's post season. Saving his best for
last, Edgar batted .412 in World Series play, including 2 key home runs with
6 runs batted in. I wouldn't mind if he provided the same spark in this
upcoming post season.
Fred Lewis #15: Back up outfielder. Signed as a free agent. Left handed bat
with some speed on base paths. Career .272 hitter who strikes out
occasionally. Last year, as a Toronto Blue Jay, batted .262 in 110 games
played. In 428 at bats had an on base percentage of .332 with 70 runs
scored. A little pop in his bat, had 8 HR and 36 RBI in 2010. Stole 17 bases
in 23 attempts. Primarily a back up to the streaky Johnny Gomes in left
field this season. A late inning defensive replacement. Pinch runner when a
speedier runner needed. Could bat some lead off if needed as well.
Chris Heisey #28: Back up outfielder. Right handed bat had some pop off the
bench as a pinch hitter. Had 4 homers and 6 runs batted in as a pinch hitter
in 2010. Over all batted .254 last year with 8 bombs and 21 ribbies. Also
scored an impressive 33 runs in limited playing time. Can play all three
outfield positions well. The former 17th round draft pick from
Mechanicsburg, PA now has the experience from last year to provide an even
bigger role this year.
Those are my five back ups headed into 2011. A lot can change based on
performances in spring training. Other candidates for bench players include
the following...
Juan Francisco #64: Back up 3B. Left handed pop but strikes out a lot.
Yonder Alonso #23: Back up 1B. Young left handed bat. Former 1st rounder.
Possible trade bait.
Chris Valaika #3: Back up 2b. Batted .263 in 19 games last year. Saw him hit
a homer at GABP.
Todd Frazier #70. Back up OF. Big right handed prospect could come north if
Heisey stumbles.
Corky Miller #37. Back up C. Could play if injuries to starters. Two
prospects nipping at his heels.
Jeremy Hermida #39. Back up OF. 27 year old left handed bat. Once a prospect
in Marlin organization. He is my sleeper pick to make the ball club. Once a
highly regarded prospect, has stumbled as of late. In 2007 had 32 doubles,
18 homers, 63 ribbies with a .296 avg as a Marlin. In 2010 batted a poultry
.216 with Redsox in 52 games. Rebounded to bat .250 in his last 21 games as
an Oakland Athletic to finish 2010. Provided he plays well in Arizona this
spring, could see some playing time in Cincinnati because of his valuable
left handed bat. Plus he is wearing "The Cobra's" number 39. Speaking of
numbers, I hope you enjoy my next WhackReds segment. My favorite Reds by
their jersey numbers; 1 through 55.
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