Around the Horn: Outfielders
02/08/2006
This winter, the Reds decided on a solution that would get all four outfielders from last season into their regular lineup this season.
Cincinnati traded first baseman Sean Casey and will move left fielder Adam Dunn to take his place in the infield. That cleared the way for Wily Mo Pena to play left field and Austin Kearns will be assured of playing right field.
Of course, both young players will bookend center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.
Many had wondered how Pena and Kearns would handle playing every day. Now they will get a chance to find out.
Not able to find the right match in exchange, the Reds rebuffed offers to deal Kearns away during the offseason.
"We feel that Kearns is going to be part of the solution here," Reds interim general manager Brad Kullman said. "We want him to be in right field. He's a potential Gold Glove winner and his bat can help this team win."
Since he broke into the Majors in 2002, keeping Kearns off the disabled list has been a difficult task for the club. He's missed significant time with injuries to his left hamstring, right shoulder, left forearm and right thumb over the years.
Kearns' health was not an issue in 2005 and he batted .240 in 112 games while setting career highs in home runs (18), RBIs (67) and starts (103, all in right field). However, the 25-year-old also endured some struggles, including a 3-for-36 skid, which prompted the organization to demote him to Triple-A Louisville in June.
The exile lasted over a month, but Kearns returned to Cincinnati offering better results, batting .253 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in his final 61 games.
Cincinnati also believes in Pena's abilities as a lineup fixture. The 24-year-old batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs in 99 games last season. In 110 games in 2004, he launched 26 homers and 66 RBIs.
Able to produce tape measure long balls that often have the masses marveling, Pena's raw power is undisputed. Now, the Reds would like him to refine his offensive skills by taking more pitches out of the strike zone and looking for opportunities to drive the ball the other way. They would also like to see improvement defensively, especially with his fielding.
Last year, Pena averaged a homer in approximately every 16 at-bats. But he also struck out 116 times compared to just 20 walks.
"He reminds people of a young Sammy Sosa," Kullman said. "He has tremendous power, a good arm and can run. He needs to be more consistent and selective.
"We feel he can take off to another level."
It was Griffey who returned to that elite level of power and consistency last season. The National League's Comeback Player of the Year in 2005, he batted .301 with 35 homers and 92 RBIs. His 128 games played were his most since he played 145 games in 2000 -- the year he joined Cincinnati.
Although the 36-year-old Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late September, he was able to avoid the DL for the first time in years.
Coming off a major operation that repaired a torn hamstring in 2004, Griffey hit just one homer and drove in nine runs in all of April. Once he found his stroke, he took off and never looked back.
"He gives our lineup a different feel," Kullman said. "At the plate, maybe he's not what he was a few years ago. But he's still one of the top offensive forces in the game. Pitchers don't like facing him."
Tied with Mickey Mantle for 12th on the all-time list with 536 career home runs, another healthy season should move Griffey up in the ranks. Mike Schmidt is the next target with 548 homers. Reggie Jackson and his 563 long balls are further off in the distance.
The organization hopes that its strong outfield depth remains without Dunn roaming it. Jacob Cruz, back as a non-roster invite, is a pinch-hitting specialist and led the Majors with 20 pinch-hits in 2005. Utility player Ryan Freel is capable of manning all three outfield spots and infielder Tony Womack could also see time in the outfield.
There is also Chris Denorfia, the Reds' 2005 Minor League Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old Denorfia batted .317 with 20 homers and 87 RBIs combined for Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville last season. He batted .263 in 18 games as a September callup.
"He may force our hand to make the club and could help this team," Kullman said.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
This winter, the Reds decided on a solution that would get all four outfielders from last season into their regular lineup this season.
Cincinnati traded first baseman Sean Casey and will move left fielder Adam Dunn to take his place in the infield. That cleared the way for Wily Mo Pena to play left field and Austin Kearns will be assured of playing right field.
Of course, both young players will bookend center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.
Many had wondered how Pena and Kearns would handle playing every day. Now they will get a chance to find out.
Not able to find the right match in exchange, the Reds rebuffed offers to deal Kearns away during the offseason.
"We feel that Kearns is going to be part of the solution here," Reds interim general manager Brad Kullman said. "We want him to be in right field. He's a potential Gold Glove winner and his bat can help this team win."
Since he broke into the Majors in 2002, keeping Kearns off the disabled list has been a difficult task for the club. He's missed significant time with injuries to his left hamstring, right shoulder, left forearm and right thumb over the years.
Kearns' health was not an issue in 2005 and he batted .240 in 112 games while setting career highs in home runs (18), RBIs (67) and starts (103, all in right field). However, the 25-year-old also endured some struggles, including a 3-for-36 skid, which prompted the organization to demote him to Triple-A Louisville in June.
The exile lasted over a month, but Kearns returned to Cincinnati offering better results, batting .253 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in his final 61 games.
Cincinnati also believes in Pena's abilities as a lineup fixture. The 24-year-old batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs in 99 games last season. In 110 games in 2004, he launched 26 homers and 66 RBIs.
Able to produce tape measure long balls that often have the masses marveling, Pena's raw power is undisputed. Now, the Reds would like him to refine his offensive skills by taking more pitches out of the strike zone and looking for opportunities to drive the ball the other way. They would also like to see improvement defensively, especially with his fielding.
Last year, Pena averaged a homer in approximately every 16 at-bats. But he also struck out 116 times compared to just 20 walks.
"He reminds people of a young Sammy Sosa," Kullman said. "He has tremendous power, a good arm and can run. He needs to be more consistent and selective.
"We feel he can take off to another level."
It was Griffey who returned to that elite level of power and consistency last season. The National League's Comeback Player of the Year in 2005, he batted .301 with 35 homers and 92 RBIs. His 128 games played were his most since he played 145 games in 2000 -- the year he joined Cincinnati.
Although the 36-year-old Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late September, he was able to avoid the DL for the first time in years.
Coming off a major operation that repaired a torn hamstring in 2004, Griffey hit just one homer and drove in nine runs in all of April. Once he found his stroke, he took off and never looked back.
"He gives our lineup a different feel," Kullman said. "At the plate, maybe he's not what he was a few years ago. But he's still one of the top offensive forces in the game. Pitchers don't like facing him."
Tied with Mickey Mantle for 12th on the all-time list with 536 career home runs, another healthy season should move Griffey up in the ranks. Mike Schmidt is the next target with 548 homers. Reggie Jackson and his 563 long balls are further off in the distance.
The organization hopes that its strong outfield depth remains without Dunn roaming it. Jacob Cruz, back as a non-roster invite, is a pinch-hitting specialist and led the Majors with 20 pinch-hits in 2005. Utility player Ryan Freel is capable of manning all three outfield spots and infielder Tony Womack could also see time in the outfield.
There is also Chris Denorfia, the Reds' 2005 Minor League Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old Denorfia batted .317 with 20 homers and 87 RBIs combined for Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville last season. He batted .263 in 18 games as a September callup.
"He may force our hand to make the club and could help this team," Kullman said.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home