Looking for a team that is building its way to being competitive? Hoping to get in on the ground floor of a team loaded with young fantasy talent? The Cincinnati Reds might be your team.
Cincinnati general manager Walt Jockety has done a good job of assembling talented youngsters. Then he surrounded them with quality veterans who can produce on the field, lead in the clubhouse and mentor the kids.
There is no shortage of offensive young studs. They have Joey Votto at first base and an outfield of Drew Stubbs , Jay Bruce and Chris Heisey . Todd Frazier and Yonder Alonso are just about ready for primetime. They just need to find positions to fill.
The young pitchers that Cincinnati boasts include Johnny Cueto , Mike Leake , and Cuban import Aroldis Chapman . Edinson Volquez is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but is expected to come back at the end of this season.
Too much youth isn’t a recipe that often wins. Every good team needs a veteran presence to help keep the ship on an even keel. Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo provide that for the young pitchers.
The veteran hitters had to be imported because there wasn’t enough quality to be found outside of Brandon Phillips . Scott Rolen , Ramon Hernandez , and Orlando Cabrera are all on the wrong side of 30 and on the downward slide of their careers, but they still have a lot to offer in building this team into a contender.
The Reds won’t likely win the N.L. Central this season, but they are moving in the right direction. Look for them to be in the middle of the fight for the next five to seven years. Latch onto their young studs to bolster your fantasy squad.
There once was a fan from Cincy.
Whose team was recently minced meat.
But with Walt at the helm
Their opponents they could overwhelm.
And they look to return to champeens.
Rick Milleman is the head fantasy baseball contributor at DraftBuddy.com . Check his annual player projections included in the Cheatsheet Compiler & Draft Buddy to help draft your championship team.
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