Well hello all, Harry Musgrave back with you to give you a season preview for the St. Louis Reds! It is exciting times – finally – for Red fans. A team that came within 1 game in 1911 of winning the championship has now created high expectations for themselves this season. Several experts are picking the Reds to make the playoffs, which is a foreign concept for these parts. Can the Reds live up to the hype? Or will they buckle under the weight of expectations?
When you are looking at this team you have to start with the outfield, which is the heart and soul of the team. Right Fielder Golden Reeves has all the hardware except a Legacy Cup. Fresh off his 4th Most Valuable Player award, Reeves is showing no signs of slowing down. He was injured for most of the Legacy Cup last year so if I were to guess he will be coming back highly motivated this season. He will be most likely the number 3 hitter in the order. Centerfielder George Cook has been a model of consistency since he broke into the lineup in 1907. Cook led the Western league in RBI (67) last season and his .293 average was the highest of his career. At just 27 years old, look for more of the same this season from.Cook. The player that pushed the Reds over the top last season was rookie Frank Butler. Butler was huge for the Reds – leading the Western League in hits, runs and doubles. He won the Greenhorn Cup and the Golden Bat for leftfielders and he almost took the MVP award from teammate Reeves. Extremely impressive from a rookie to say the least. The trio of Reeves, Butler and Cook could carry the team to the postseason once again. 24 year old Paul Mackaness should provide a more than adequate backup in the 4th outfielder role.
In the infield there could be a couple of changes. Edward Cook, the teams 1st round pick in 1906 made his long awaited debut at catcher last season. He struggled during the regular season but played well in the playoffs. Expectations are high for the 24 year old this season as he transitions into the full time role. Okey Sibthorp is back for his second season at first base for the Reds. The 25 year old hit .314 for the Reds last season – he will most likely be somewhere near the top of the order for the Reds. It is looking like there could be a change at 2nd base for the Reds. 1908 2nd round draft pick Granville Brewis has potentially beat out John Shelton for the starting second base spot. Brewis should add a little more offense than Shelton while still providing solid defense. Sherwood Matthews will start at shortstop for his 3rd straight season..Matthews hit .238 last season but provided solid defense at SS. He will hit at the bottom of the order and expect similiar numbers from him this season. Richard Harpham and John Keyte will platoon at 3b in what might be the weakest spot in the lineup for the Reds. Harpham provides more offense while Keyte is solid defensively. Overall the infield may not provide a ton of offense but it should be one of the better defensive groups in the league.
The pitching staff has more depth than it ever has this season. The Reds have never had more than a 3 man rotation, but this year they could have a 4 or even a 5 man one if they so choose. It will be a battle for spots to say the least. Benedict Hatcher will be more than likely the opening day starter. Hatcher was one of the best pitchers in the WL before he was injured last season. Roy Cooper will be there for sure as well. Cooper helped save the season last year for the Reds when he came from Brooklyn last season. How can Herman Robinson not be in the rotation after he went 23-11 last season and was a post season hero. That leaves Charles Mason and Kurt Kesey to battle it out for the 4th spot in the rotation. Kesey was 4-5 with a 2.52 before he suffered a radial nerve compression and missed 7 months. How will he bounce back? Mason was 14-7 last year but he had a 3.32 era – he will most likely be the odd man out and could start the season in the bullpen.
Speaking of the bullpen, we have to mention Jeffrey Broome. Broome has been a huge part of the team over the past 3 seasons. In 96.2 innings he won 7 games, saved 28 and had a 1.68 ERA. The Reds will try and get him in all the close games this year.
Can this team live up to expectations – my guess is they will be in the postseason for the 2nd straight year,. if they do can they win just 1 more game.