Here is an article by [URL=”http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/02/09/hot-stove-talks-on-a-snowy-day/”]John Fay on the Reds [/URL]left field situation:
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If you’re a Reds fans living east of the Mississippi, you’re likely snowed-in. I ventured out of the Westwood Bureau to take the wife to work and go to the Y. The streets aren’t too bad. But I just shoveled my driveway for the third time in 24 hours. That workout was more strenuous than what I did at the Y.
Anyway, over the next couple of days, let’s discuss some of the questions the Reds have going into spring training. We’ll start with the biggest one: Left field. The list of candidates is long. I think Chris Dickerson is the favorite but not an overwhelming one. And a platoon of some sort is a distinct possibility. Here’s a look at the players vying for the job:
[B]Dickerson:[/B] He had a solid year at the plate. He hit .275/.370/.373 in 255 at-bats. The lack of power was a bit surprising — only two home runs. Durability remains a question –two stints on the DL. His other drawback is left is his weakest position defensively. But he gets on base, something this club needs at the top of the order.
[B]Chris Heisey:[/B] Scouts all say the same thing about him: “You’ll love the way he plays.” He’s solid across the board but doesn’t have a standout tool. His numbers dropped significantly after going from Double-A to Triple-A — .347/.426/.572 to .278/.323/.465. He’s probably the best bet to get right-handed at-bats.
[B]Wladmir Balentien: [/B]He was once a big-time prospect with Seattle. He’s had trouble adjusting to the big leagues. His numbers — .264/.352/.427 — were decent after the Reds got him. But it was only 110 at-bats. The strange thing? He’s a right-handed hitter, and he hit .263 vs. RHPs and .165 vs. LHPs between Seattle and the Reds. He’s out of options.
[B]Todd Frazier: [/B]Frazier played a lot of left before the experiment at second. He hit a combined .292/.351/.481 last year at Double-A and Triple-A. His 45 doubles were the third most in all of the minors. His versatility gives a manager a lot of options. But left is the place he’d get the most at-bats if he makes the team.
[B]Juan Francisco:[/B] He strikes out a ton and almost never walks (468 Ks, 86 walks in 1,955 minor-league at-bats). But he’ hit 28 home runs and drove in 100 runs last year while moving from Double-A to Triple-A to the majors. He’s played the least outfield of the candidates, however.
[B]Laynce Nix:[/B] He’s solid defensively. The power’s there — 15 homers, 26 doubles in 309 at-bats. But he doesn’t get on-base much — .239 average, .291 on-base.
[B]Aaron Miles:[/B] He’s played outfield in the past. If he returns his 2008 form when hit .317/.355/.398, they’ll look to get him at-bats somewhere.
Of course, if Johnny Gomes signs, he goes to the top of the list as far as right-handed hitters.
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I would really like to see Heisey or Frazier step up and take left field. They are both studs and the youth movement needs to keep moving. I get tired of watching the Reds start some journeyman in left. I would rather give a young kid experience where it matters most. Those at-bats will mean a whole lot more in the majors then in Louisville.
The season is close to starting. Pitchers and Catchers report in 5 days.
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