My evaluation of our starting rotation

[natifanatic717]

could surprise many people this year..

1) Aaron Harang- is as consistent as they come, will win at least 10-15 games a year, definitely one of the elite in the N.L., sneaky fastball

2) Bronson Arroyo- Solid pitcher who will be around .500 this year..great sweeping, frisbee-like curveball that fools many hitters..fastball not extremely fast (low 90's)

3) Johnny Cueto- up and coming star, fastball in the mid to upper 90's, worked with Mario Soto in the offseason and developed a devestating changeup, great first start and if that is signs of things to come he could win at least 10 this year. (he is they key to whether the Reds go to the playoffs this year)

4) Josh Fogg- free agent pickup in the offseason, had a rough first start, don't want to throw him overboard just, yet..but he needs to build a little more velocity on his fastball as right now he throws in the mid to upper 80's with some movement..he may be spot started later in the year as Homer Bailey and a couple other youngsters may get their time in the majors this year..keep in mind the Reds also signed Affeldt and he could move from the bullpen to the starting rotation if needed.

5) Edinson Volquez- another young pitcher that the Reds received in a trade with the Rangers for Josh Hamilton..his fastball is in the mid 90's and he has good offspeed pitches that keep hitters honest..he had a great spring training and even though some are saying that the Reds got the wrong end of the deal, he may have them saying "Hamilton who?" in a couple of years.

any thoughts on whether or not this rotation is one of the best in the central if not the national league?

[Lark11]

Good post.

I like the top 3, but have questions about 4 and 5. Well, I don't really have any questions about Fogg, as I think he's a very poor option. So, it would seem that Volquez is the swing guy in the rotation, as the rotation will go as Edinson goes.

Cueto looks to be a tremendous pitcher, but most rookie starters have their ups and downs and Johnny is unlikely to be any different. So, the Reds will need Edinson to be a solid option. It remains to be seen whether he can live up to those expectations, but he'll need to be for the Reds to contend.

As for their NL ranking, I'd say they are most definitely behind the D-Backs, Brewers, Mets, Padres, and Giants.

[starpower25]

Brewers ?

I think we have a better rotation then them. I think the Dodgers rotation is goign to be very good this year as well.

[Lark11]

Apr 5, 2008 22:23:35 GMT -5 starpower25 said:

Brewers ?

I think we have a better rotation then them. I think the Dodgers rotation is goign to be very good this year as well.

Sheets, Gallardo, Parra, Villanueva, and Bush/Suppan. So, yes, I'd say they've got 2 ace quality starters and 4 quality starters overall.