Will Dusty Baker Play His Crop of Talented Kids?
The Cincinnati Reds may have more rookies ready to contribute this year than any other big league club, but they also have added Dusty Baker, a manager who isn’t overly fond of playing first-year players. The only everyday player developed by the Giants during Baker’s 10 seasons in San Francisco was Rich Aurilia.
The Reds, however, have Jay Bruce, considered by many the best prospect in the game. The 20-year-old phenom climbed through the minor leagues last season, batting .319-26-89 and slugging .587 between high Class-A Sarasota and Triple-A Louisville. At Louisville, Bruce stroked 12 doubles and 11 homers in just 50 games.
Bruce is in line to make his major league debut in 2008, but an Opening Day starting job with the Reds isn’t certain. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports has pointed out Baker’s fondness for Norris Hopper, a 28-year-old who has hit for average with the Reds, but with just 18 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs in 142 major league games. Ryan Freel is another option in center. Bruce, despite his defensive acumen, strong arm and power for his age, may end up back at Louisville unless he makes it impossible to send him down.
Another power prospect who would seem certain to play a lot this season is Joey Votto. The 24-year-old first baseman has averaged 34 doubles, 22 home runs, 74 walks and 85 RBIs in the high minors the last two seasons. Called up last September, the left-handed hitter batted .321 and slugged .548 with seven doubles, four homers and 17 RBIs in 24 games.
Votto competes for the starting job against veteran Scott Hatteberg, who had a solid 2007 season and posted a career-high .474 slugging percentage. Both Votto and Hatteberg hit left-handed, so a straight platoon isn’t an option. If he plays every day, Votto might power 20 home runs for the Reds, but he won’t be a Rookie of the Year candidate if he doesn’t play.
The Reds also feature a pair of promising pitchers who are nearly ready in Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto. Bailey, considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game, was brilliant at times last season with the Reds, when he had control of his nasty stuff. He also struggled mightily at times, en route to a 4-2 mark and 5.76 ERA in nine major league starts. He can’t rely so much on his mid-90s fastball.
The 21-year-old Bailey was bothered by a sore groin for much of 2007, however, and he was likely to have a rotation spot in 2008 before the Reds signed Josh Fogg last week. Cueto is another power prospect with the stuff and makeup to be an impact pitcher, but he also seems to be on the outside looking in as far as a starter job with Cincinnati.
This week Baker said Bailey and Cueto could start the year in the Reds bullpen rather than return to Triple-A Louisville. That’s not a bad way to break into the majors, but all of these guys may have trouble earning the trust of their manager in 2008.
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Comments
Dusty Baker's managerial skill has been lauded only when he's been able to ride on the back of at least one steroid-bloated slugger. His reputation, it seems, is as much a product of the steroid era as the meaningless statistics posted by the freakish perpetrators themselves. When he will be forced to actually "manage" a group of young kids, everyone will see what a true fraud Baker is.
If I were Bailey, Cueto, Votto, or Bruce, I would be looking for a trade out of Cincinnati.
Posted by: Craig | March 4, 2008 8:59 AM
One would hope that during his one year absence from the NL Central, Baker, who may be the first ex-manager not to distinguish himself as an ESPN analyst, was paying attention to how the rest of the division has improved - the Cards notwithstanding. The emergence of the Cubs, Brewers, and Astros have been due in part to these clubs playing their young talent. The Cubs who have been the most active on bringing in veterans, still had major contributions from young stars Rich Hill and Ryan Theriot. This year they will start rookie catcher Geovanny Soto. Even the lowly Pirates have a stable of young hitters itching for full-time PT this season; the possible trading Jason Bay and/or Xavier Nady will create ABs for up and comers Nyjer Morgan, Steve Pearce, and possibly Andrew McCutchen. While these guys are not the prospects Bruce, Votto, et al are, at least they will get the chance to play and develop at the major league level. And the young Buc hurlers Snell, Gorzelanny and Maholm who have already gained major league experience early in their careers, will take the mound every 5th day while Bailey and Cueto wait their turn behind world-beaters Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt. I'm glad I don't live in Cincy!
Posted by: Chick Evanstonian | March 5, 2008 11:36 PM
Baker has another option that could keep Jay Bruce in the minor leagues: Corey Patterson, signed last week by the Reds. As much of a disappointment as he's been since being drafted third overall in 1998, Patterson had his best season playing for Baker in Chicago. Baker will view Patterson as a proven commodity, even though Bruce is likely to become a far superior player.
Posted by: TH | March 9, 2008 2:18 PM