Post by Fish Report on Mar 14, 2023 15:18:29 GMT -5
By Gary Yeatts
Two weeks remain in the 2023 spring training for the Reds, but one issue is becoming very troublesome. The Reds bullpen. Over the past four weeks the Reds have paraded numerous pitchers to the mound in relief of their starters. They have ranged from young prospects to grizzled veterans. They have one thing in common; they can't get anybody out. While the Reds have Spencer Steer at third base, they do not have any bulls in the bullpen. This has been an area of weakness over the past few seasons, and it appears at this point this issue has not been resolved. Sunday, Casey Legumina gave up 5 runs to the Dodgers. Levi Stoudt was torched for 6 runs vs the Cubs. These were both rookies, but the same result has held true for Reds veterans. Lucas Sims has been very inconsistent. Spring training can always be very misleading because pitchers are working on many mechanical issues. The Reds will be counting on Alexis Diaz, Ian Gibaut, Reiver San Martin and Fernando Cruz to shore things up when they return from playing in the World Baseball Classic. Time will tell but this is a definite concern at this point.
One of the wonderful things about spring training is the very nice people you meet. Yesterday, we had a visit from Joe Babich, long-time Sacramento lawyer and lifelong friend of Johnny B. Baker. "Dusty Baker" just won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros. He, of course, was the former manager of the Cincinnati Reds. I asked Joe to describe what the victory celebration was like. He said it was surprisingly subdued. They went to an Italian restaurant and had some wine. Baker received a phone call from Barack Obama. When Baker asked Obama how he got his number, Obama replied, "As a former President, I have my ways." Baker always treated everybody with grace and humility. It was so good to see him finally reach the pinnacle of success in baseball. He will be a sure-fire Hall of Fame recipient in the future.
YIB- G⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾
Gary Yeatts is a retired history teacher and baseball coach, originally from Fairfield Ohio. He lives in Arizona and works at Reds Spring training. He sends out these summaries to a fairly long mailing list and welcomes their distribution.
Two weeks remain in the 2023 spring training for the Reds, but one issue is becoming very troublesome. The Reds bullpen. Over the past four weeks the Reds have paraded numerous pitchers to the mound in relief of their starters. They have ranged from young prospects to grizzled veterans. They have one thing in common; they can't get anybody out. While the Reds have Spencer Steer at third base, they do not have any bulls in the bullpen. This has been an area of weakness over the past few seasons, and it appears at this point this issue has not been resolved. Sunday, Casey Legumina gave up 5 runs to the Dodgers. Levi Stoudt was torched for 6 runs vs the Cubs. These were both rookies, but the same result has held true for Reds veterans. Lucas Sims has been very inconsistent. Spring training can always be very misleading because pitchers are working on many mechanical issues. The Reds will be counting on Alexis Diaz, Ian Gibaut, Reiver San Martin and Fernando Cruz to shore things up when they return from playing in the World Baseball Classic. Time will tell but this is a definite concern at this point.
One of the wonderful things about spring training is the very nice people you meet. Yesterday, we had a visit from Joe Babich, long-time Sacramento lawyer and lifelong friend of Johnny B. Baker. "Dusty Baker" just won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros. He, of course, was the former manager of the Cincinnati Reds. I asked Joe to describe what the victory celebration was like. He said it was surprisingly subdued. They went to an Italian restaurant and had some wine. Baker received a phone call from Barack Obama. When Baker asked Obama how he got his number, Obama replied, "As a former President, I have my ways." Baker always treated everybody with grace and humility. It was so good to see him finally reach the pinnacle of success in baseball. He will be a sure-fire Hall of Fame recipient in the future.
YIB- G⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾
Gary Yeatts is a retired history teacher and baseball coach, originally from Fairfield Ohio. He lives in Arizona and works at Reds Spring training. He sends out these summaries to a fairly long mailing list and welcomes their distribution.