Results tagged ‘ Homer Bailey ’
The Legend of Corky Miller
Journeyman catcher Corky Miller returned to the Reds’ roster on Aug. 25, and you would be remiss to shove aside his impact on the team’s winning streak and dramatically improved pitching performances of the past two weeks. Miller, as diehard fans know, cannot hit the broad side of a barn if the barn was 4 feet in front of him. His career MLB batting average in nine seasons and 154 games is just .175. For the Reds in 2002, he had the infamous 1-for-39 streak (.026). But what has kept Miller, 33, around the game is he’s a masterful handler of pitchers and game management. His career ERA is 3.97 when the MLB average for catchers is 4.38. He’s also thrown out 34 percent of would-be base stealers. Specifically, Miller, who was signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 1998 and acquired from the White Sox for OF Norris Hopper in June and sent to Louisville, has been huge in guiding and mentoring Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Kip Wells. The Reds are 7-1 in Miller’s starts with a 2.48 ERA. He’s allowed just one passed ball, one wild pitch and one stolen base in 80 innings. Make no mistake, Miller has been firmly in control of the pitchers when he’s behind the plate. You don’t see Bailey dawdling and Cueto shaking off signs. With Arroyo, you see Miller being more animated with demand for pitch locations. He tells pitchers what he wants and you damn-well better do what he says. Miller’s handling of the Reds’ pitching staff–where seven players have less than two years’ MLB experience–is not a knock on Ryan Hanigan or Dog Hernandez. Their styles are different. Hanigan is also a rookie with no track record. Pitchers are going to trust the Corky Millers, Eddie Perezes and Charlie O’Briens far more than a rook. Hanigan’s ERA in 74 games: 4.47; Hernandez’s in 51 games: 4.49. Yeah, it’s still a small sample size for Corky’s long-range impact but the results of the pitchers have been clearly noticeable, even if Corky’s bat has not. He’s currently hitless in his last 19 at-bats and batting .115. But that shouldn’t stop you from being a Corky fan. His minor league bobblehead (photo, above) is still out there, as reviewed by our friends at OMGReds.com when he was acquired from the White Sox.
5 Things to Watch Down the Stretch of Spring Training
At the halfway point of spring training games, the Reds are in an odd position of having a fairly set roster with several things still in flux. This has been caused by some shaky performances, defections to the WBC, and sudden competitions we didn’t expect. Dusty Baker is no different from most managers–they will usually excuse a poor spring and give the nod to a proven veteran. But the Reds find themselves with a few growing decisions that might exceed the normal ST slump or surprise showing by a youngster.
Here are 5 Things to Watch the final two-plus weeks of spring training:
1.) The Race for the No. 5 Starter
It’s over, it’s been over and it was never really a competition. RH Micah Owings was already the more experienced pitcher, the big arm, and the key to the Adam Dunn deal with Arizona. He’s also put up the Reds’ best spring pitching numbers against far better lineups than his next closest competitor, RH Homer Bailey. There’s a reason the Reds shut down Owings from pitching with a strained shoulder after acquiring him last summer: he could be the best No. 5 starter in MLB.
2.) The Real Race–Long Reliever
Attention turns almost immediately to the one available slot in the bullpen, long reliever. A wide opinion is to keep Bailey on the Reds and let him mature out of the bullpen. I don’t share that belief; maybe you do. But he’s going to face far better batters the rest of the way than he has thus far. We’ll see how Bailey reacts. Anyway, RH Nick Masset did a solid job in the role after coming from the White Sox in the Junior Griffey deal, but his career inconsistency has carried over to spring training. Plus, he’s out of options. Thing is, if not Bailey or Masset, who? Could LH Pedro Viola slip into the race, especially if LH Billy Bray isn’t fully ready from shoulder and hamstring issues? How dumb is it now that RH Ramon Ramirez, 26, nine years in pro ball, left for the WBC?
3.) Logjam for Bench Roles
It appears Chris Dickerson and Jonny Gomes will platoon in left field, leaving a tough competition for two, maybe three, bench roles. With Jerry Hairston Jr. available for outfield or middle infield duty, does that make Norris Hopper and Jeff Keppinger (see No. 4) redundant? The competition for left-handed bat off the bench has come down too 1b Daryl Ward, OF Laynce Nix and OF Jacque Jones. Nix is younger and offers a little more versatility. The struggling Jones could be a roster cut by the end of the week even though ideally he fits the role of versatile, veteran lefty off the bench better than anyone. Meanwhile, the versatility of 2b-C-OF Wilkin Castillo can’t be overlooked. But he doesn’t hit for power and he hasn’t hit anything this spring. To this point, Ward is winning a slot almost by default and he’s the least versatile.
4.) The Growing Keppinger Question
Baker insists utility infielder Jeff Keppinger’s roster spot isn’t in jeopardy but you really have to wonder. Keppinger has not hit since breaking his knee cap last May. With SS Alex Gonzalez looking good so far in his return from a broken knee, is Keppinger expendable? Couldn’t Hairston serve as insurance and backup to Gonzalez, 2b Brandon Phillips and 3b Edwin Encarnacion? It’s a growing question unless Keppinger’s bat heats up.
5.) Who Gets Cut From the 40-Man Roster?
There’s already very little fat with 12 possibilities being under age 26. Hopper is the most likely at this point and I’ll say 2b Danny Richar, who is 26, position limited and would likely clear waivers. Perhaps you disagree and see Masset or one of the young but aging minors relievers (Manuel?) as candidates. Either way, it appears the Reds will have to clear two off the 40-man to open the season.
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Photoblogging from Louisville Bats at Richmond 5.3
Saturday was an interesting and exhausting day that included pro football, Civil War, minor league baseball and lots of time on the road but no stopping at the Cracker Barrel, which I love and many people don’t. Forget the craft-mama atmosphere. I love their catfish, glazed carrots and slice-o-apple pie. The day began with me swinging by Redskin Park for a couple of hours of mini-camp and liking what I saw of the Redskins’ drafted young receivers and the stern practice run by new coach Jim Zorn. From there I scooted down back highways to the Chancellorsville Battlefield, where Saturday so happened to be the 145th anniversary of the historic battle. There were lots of fun things to do and I saw a fairly ho-hum reenactment. Seriously, all these middle-aged and fat guys (burp) participating in the reenactments is a gut-splitter because a.) they look ridiculous in those outfits with their ***** hanging out; and b.) the war was fought primarily by very young men except for the high-ranking officers. Anyway, after a couple of hours at Chancellorsville I darted down to Richmond for the R-Braves’ game against the Louisville Bats. I didn’t pick a good night because several of the Bats’ regulars were getting a night off and R-Braves starter Charlie Morton is pretty dang good. He pitched seven innings of one-hit, one-run ball, and received a no-decision in the R-Braves’ bottom-of-the-ninth 4-3 victory. But Morton dropped his ERA to 2.14 and opponents are hitting just 1.71 off him–yet, he’s 1-0 in six starts. He and Adam Harnag should do lunch. Through all of this I spent batting practice on the field, mingled in the clubhouses and spent much of the game watching Jay Bruce, Paul Janish, Jolbert Cabrera and Chris Dickerson. I also took some photos to share because I’m trying out a new Canon and not sure I like it very much. You be the judges: The R-Braves play at The Diamond, but not for long. Atlanta owns the franchise and announced earlier this year the team will move to a new facility in Gwinnett County, Georgia, ending an association with Richmond dating to 1966, when the Braves moved to Atlanta from Milwaukee. The Diamond was built in 1985 but looks older than Riverfront, which, as you know, is dead. Atlanta finally gave up trying to get a new facility from the city and control-freak Mayor Douglas Wilder, the former Virginia governor who has an authority complex. He likes being boss. A lot. Word in the pressbox was Richmond is in a twist for getting a new team. Minor League Baseball is meeting with the city this week. There’s no chance of another Class AAA club. There are options in Class AA and Class A, but a lot will depend on getting a new stadium built. The Diamond is a 12,134-seat dumphole, but you are right on top of the game. Only 2,544 paid Saturday night, probably because a 12-ounce cup of beer is $6 and a large soft drink $4. The Mariners and Royals have cheaper beer, and six teams have cheaper soda. Hey there’s Homer Bailey charting the game. Sunday starter Justin Lehr is next to him charting, too. Homer had quite a few interruptions to sign autographs during the game but declined them all. Can’t blame him. Sign one, gotta sign a thousand. Funny thing was, Homer was reading a bow hunting magazine between innings. Homer is 6-4 and the leanest 205 you ever saw. I think that weight is a stretch. He looks more like 190. He’s also got peggish legs, which makes me wonder how he will handle the weight when he fills out. But perhaps adding a little weight will help his endurance. Jay Bruce, everyone’s anointed savior. Man, he’s got a gorgeous swing. Balanced, compact, easy. He didn’t have a good night because Charlie Morton pitched him brilliantly by keeping the ball low and in. Bruce only got a couple of pitches to do anything with–in his third AB–and fouled them off. He wore an 0-fer for the night and is in a small skid. Someone in the clubhouse whispered they believe Bruce is putting pressure on himself to get called up. Bruce admits to watching the Reds’ box scores each night and following the big league club closely. He’s extremely itchy to get called up. I’ve never really gotten into minor league ball. I understand the importance and entertainment value. I do like the ballparks and the gimmicks. It’s a great place for kids. Of course, minors parks are all about promotions and one they have at The Diamond is sensational: each “fowl” pole is sponsored by Chick-Fil-A. Hit the pole and everyone gets a free sandwich. Last year, a player for the R-Braves knocked the “F” off the pole in left, leaving the obvious declaration, “Eat More Owl.” People screamed in laughter. The player took the letter “F” home as a keepsake. Note the cows leaning just over the lef A good sprinkling of Reds fans were on hand, especially on the visitors side of the field. I talked to one guy who was a little upset that almost none of the Bats came over and signed autographs or gave fans a chance to take their pictures. Like the R-Braves, everyone wanted to get into the clubhouse and watch the Kentucky Derby. If for no other reason, the minors clubhouses should be incentive for players to get to the majors. No joke: the master bedrooom for Ms. R and her pissy li’l dog is almost as big as the clubhouses at The Diamond. And there was Jolbert Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Jim Brower, Gary Majewski and a couple of others–guys with big-league experience–crunched into their dressing spaces, eating a club sandwich on croissant instead of a big-league spread. Todd Coffey, who six days before, was in the major leagues, stayed pretty much in the trainer’s room. He had room to eat back there. And there’s not a more solemn-looking guy than the Majik Man. Cleanly shaven, sitting in his tight little cubicle, saying nothing, just watching and eating. No expression. Given injuries, being traded, the death of his stepsister and his recent career path, it’s been a very tough two years for the Majik Man. Ms. R would say a hug and prayer to one of the saints would do him wonders. Rick Sweet is the Bats manager and he’s a great quote and a very good minors manager. He knows how to handle people. But he wasn’t too happy this night. Chris Dickerson got picked off first in a weird play in which the first baseman made a wild scoop of a pickoff attempt, then faked out Dickerson as if the ball had gotten by. Sweet’s expression after that play was priceless. He was really upset with a call at third in the eighth when the Bats had the go-ahead run going from second to third. The ball was batted to third, where the defender made a stab and diving lunge to get the Bats runner to end the inning. He looked safe, but then, I was trying to figure out some feature on the new camera that apparently doesn’t exist. I think it’s called “focusing the image.” Sweet had to laugh with everyone else in the fourth or fifth when Drew Anderson was batting and Ryan Hanigan was on-deck. Anderson, who bats lefty, hit a screamer that almost took off Hanigan’s head. Okay, now Hanigan is awake. And I’ll be damned if Anderson didn’t hit another one that was almost in the exact same spot. Hanigan, looking a bit wide-eyed, walked back into the safety of the dugout steps, drawing applause and smiles. Anderson then hit two long fouls in almost the exact spot down the left field line. Unreal. Adam Pettyjohn pitched a really nice game, having a three-run burp in the fourth. I stole a few peeks at a gun being used by a scout and I never saw Pettyjohn get above 86 in eight pitches. He’s 31 and has exactly one big-league game, for the Tigers in 2001. He throws really slow, as you can see in the photo below because my new camera was actually able to catch the ball in-flight. Yay! Pay this kinda cake for a camera you expect the sports setting to be able to stop the action. Apparently not. Maybe the user is a dope. Probably. There’s our old friend Chris Chambliss, now first base coach for the R-Braves. One day you’re the Reds’ batting coach, the next day you’re fired and in the minors, and the following day your successor with the Reds, Brook Jacoby, is on the verge of also being fired. Offensive ineptitude is not a sympton but a disease. Yep, that’s original. Also ran into journeyman catcher Sal Fasano in the R-Braves clubhouse. Sal is one of the greatest guys in the history of the game. You won’t find anyone who doesn’t like him or respect him or root for him. The minors kids worship Sal. He’s played for nine big league teams and about every organization in the minors. God, he tells great stories and he’s a very interesting guy. At age 37, Sal is talking about going back to school to be a paleontologist. But most everyone believes he’s going to be a very, very good coach or manager. He has a huge fan following, too. I joked with Sal that he was looking lumpy; he said I was looking old. Love the guy. That’s Drew Anderson safe at second, a call no one on the R-Braves agreed with. Of course, they didn’t. Look closely but the shortstop is clearly on the follow-through of the swipe tag. You’d probably like a little closer angle. Yeah, good luck with that on this night. Good place to point out that Paul Janish is a major-league defensive shortstop TODAY. Right now. We’ve seen the flashes in spring training and he made two plays this night that Jeff Keppinger has neither the arm nor Jolbert Cabrera is outloud hilarious but he wasn’t too amused by the umpiring this night. Here, Cabrera and Rick Sweet lose an argument with the umpire on a called strike three that didn’t appear to be a strike. Cabrera was robbed of an infield hit earlier. He’s hitting just .240, hasn’t been in the big leagues since 2004 and he’s 35 years old. After a promising spring training, his window for getting recalled might be closing. The minors and mascots. Sheeesh. You have so few good ones. Here’s Diamond Duck, which amazingly has absolutely nothing to do with Braves. Here the duck carries a 2-year-old around the bases. Cute, but not nearly as funny as Dizzy Bat, which never fails to draw a laugh. There’s just something about people falling down that is funny. And finally, the above picture is from the Chancellorsville Battlefield, where Gen. Robert E. Lee reached the high-water mark of his career. The campaign the Confederates conducted here defies logic on many levels and is a fascinating study. Read Stephen Sears’ “Chancellorsville.” But something happened on the spot where the X is placed that many historians believe changed the course of this country forever. There’s no historical marker at this spot and I had to ask a Park Ranger to show me the exact location. Do you know what happened here?
t field wall. Those bovines are in play.
quickness to complete. I was also surprised by Janish’s upper-body build. He’s got that young Nomar V-shape with broad, strong shoulders and big pipes, but small hips. He’s also hitting a little thus far this season and I’d guess he’s the call-up if something happens to Keppinger. Dude can flat out pick it.
Questions in Sarasota: Part 4
Even though spring training is almost complete and there’s still several question marks to be answered on the field, many Reds fans have turned their attention to the season ahead. A look at some of the recent queries:
Don’t Look, But . . .
Q: Has anyone looked at the Reds’ schedule in April and May? It’s really tough. With so many young pitchers can they survive this schedule? — Dale Lavritch
A: This is a great question because the Reds get screwed on the schedule–some way, somehow–almost every year. And Dale is right: It’s a brutal April-May schedule against non-division teams. The season opens with five games against playoff teams Arizona and Philadelphia, then a nine-game divisional roadtrip to Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Chicago. To compound, the Reds have yet another nine-game trip, to San Fran, St. Louis and Atlanta, that slops into May, followed by one home series against the Cubs and then a trip to the Mets. There’s also the first interleague series, against Cleveland, in May, and nine games against the Dodgers and Padres over the first two months. This is just ridiculous.
Oh, the Yankees play Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Kansas City and White Sox 14 times in April.
For all the promise of the young pitching staff and hope for the season, the Reds’ early-season schedule is a killer and could bury this team before Memorial Day. If they can get to June in some semblance of .500 things could get very interesting over the last two-thirds of the season. But if the Reds are 10-12 games under and the young pitchers are struggling. . . . Katie, bar the door.
Readiness
Q: How “ready” for the big leagues are these Class AAA pitchers?–Mary Gerstner
A: As the season approaches and Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez appear to have rotation slots won, this is the absolute biggest question of the Reds’ season. The Reds came to camp extremely thin in the rotation with a third-place finish in the woeful NL Central being hopeful. Now, they open the season with any playoff hopes riding on the coattails of Voltron and Cueto.
Spring training numbers don’t mean so much for pitchers; it’s about the stuff they have and the way big league hitters react and respond. In that regard, Voltron and Cueto have been the talk of all camps. On one side of the fence Reds fans are discussing the number of wins Voltron, Cueto and veteran Josh Fogg can bring to the back of the rotation. But on the other side, almost no one is talking about the number of losses this team will suffer if Voltron and Cueto are not ready for the big leagues.
Hither Bailey
Q: I see no purpose of sending Bailey to AAA. Why not let him work out of the bullpen with the Reds and gain the experience like they used to do with young pitchers in the old days? — Steve Brookes
A: We’ve heard more than a few times that Bailey has nothing to prove in the minors. Oh, yes he does. There, he can prove that he has command of all his pitches (which he doesn’t), that he can get past the fifth inning (which he can’t) and that he can be efficient in pitch counts (which he’s terrible).
Bailey is only 21 and what he’s shown last year and in spring training this year is he makes very few adjustments of how to work hitters from start to start. The best way to pitch, and pitch efficiently, is to attack, attack, attack the strike zone. Voltron and Cueto are making the team because of the way they get ahead in counts, putting the batter on the defensive for their “out” pitches. Bailey piddles and nibbles and shakes off signs, and seems to get lost with his mechanics from one batter to the next. Twice this spring he’s walked the opposing pitcher.
The bullpen, where he would get spot duty and come into games with runners on base, is not the way for him to learn. Especially since he’s awful at holding runners with that long stride. His workload would be erratic with off days and the use of a No. 5 starter, which is why you don’t see more young pitchers brought up in the bullpen these days. It was easier to find consistent work for these kids when everyone used a four-man rotation. Besides, the team behind you gets really, really pissed when a pitcher continually goes out there and struggles with command. You put up some runs, go out on defense and the pitcher needs 27 pitches to get through his half of an inning. Aargh!
No, Bailey needs to go to Louisville and work on the multitude of issues he has to be ready to beat Major League batters. His career is not over. He’s still fine tuning.
Baker’s Dozen
Q: If the Reds would win 12 more games with new manager Dusty Baker than they did last year they would have finished one game behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. Can Dusty make up this ground? — Brian Rahe
A: Several e-mails after my “Baker’s Impact” article in Storyline No. 4 asked a similar question: How many more wins does Baker bring? Brian’s estimate of 12 would make the Reds 84-78. Improvement? Yes, but enough to win the division this year? That seems a pinch low. I’ll say at least 87 wins are needed to snag the berth and don’t believe the Reds will win that many unless this pitching staff (i.e., Cueto and Volquez combine for 27 wins) completely surprises.
Catchy Situation
Q: Once healthy, will David Ross improve his offensive stats? Is it more important to be a good defensive catcher and mediocre batter? If Ross cannot improve, will Javier Valentin fill the bill or do the Reds look elsewhere? –Larry Hampton
A: Avid reader Larry sums up the catching situation quickly and thoroughly, and you get the feeling the Reds’ braintrust would like to have a better all-around catcher. The problem is Baker hasn’t really seen Ross, who is battling back spasms, and the qualities that make him so valuable to the pitching staff. If Ross hits .240 he does enough defensively to hold the starting job. But there’s no doubt this team is not going far into the season with either Bako or Valentin starting. They’ll be forced into making a deal if that occurs.
In-Between at In-Between
Q: So do you drop Juan Castro from the roster after Alex Gonzalez is ready? –Dennis Kuhn
A: Odd as it seems, shortstop is one of the more interesting issues of the last positional spot on the 25-man roster. The chances were not great for Castro to make the team as a utility infielder out of spring training until Gonzo suffered his knee fracture. Then, Baker started making not-so-veiled references to his preferred defensive qualities of the shortstop. Obviously, Jeff Keppinger doesn’t fit all these measures; Castro does. Now, the Reds have about 18 players who are capable of playing backup in the infield. And a lot hinges on whether they keep Bako as a backup catcher (and third on the roster) when Ross is healthy. Barring an injury to one of the other starting infielders I don’t see how Castro sticks when Gonzo comes off the DL.
The Junior Equation
Q: Will Ken Griffey Jr. return to the Reds in 2009? –David Boddy
A: That’s the $4 million question. The Reds hold a $16.5 million option on Griffey for next season and there’s almost no chance he will be offered that contract. But what if he thrives under Baker and has a monster season? What if he puts up “only” 30 homers and 100 RBI? Do you let him walk? Here’s what could happen:
1.) Junior walks. There’s a wide feeling he will bookend his career by finishing in Seattle for a season or two, especially if the Mariners, as expected, are contenders.
2.) Junior has a solid first half, is traded midseason to a contender and hot prospect Jay Bruce comes up from Louisville to replace him in right field for the next 10-12 years.
3.) Bruce suffers an injury, setback or doesn’t hav
e a very good season at Louisville and the Reds can’t afford to hand him a position going into next year. They need Griffey as insurance.
4.) The Reds have to pay Griffey $4 million if they decline the option. They can always re-sign him for one year at a lower salary, if he’s willing, that includes the option money.
Here’s the catch-all: for the Reds to be contenders this year, they probably need a big year from Griffey. So if Junior has the big year, what do the Reds do? They can’t trade him midseason if he’s a key element of a playoff push. Then, perhaps, the Reds are backed into a corner on Junior’s contract for next year.
This is an interesting storyline to watch for the first half of the season, especially on the development of Bruce.
(Editor’s Prerogative: Some questions are edited for clarity to pertain to the specific subject.)
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