The Reds followed up their NL Central Championship run in 2010 with a disappointing 79-83 record last season. The good news is that the rest of the teams in the division lost some key pieces, meaning the Central is wide open for the Reds to make another run at a title in 2012. Here are our MLB predictions for Cincy's starting lineup for the upcoming season.
Projected Lineup
Ryan Hanigan (Catcher) - After the Reds decided not to bring back veteran Ramon Hernandez, Hanigan will likely open the 2012 season as the everyday catcher. He isn't a real threat offensively, as he hit just.267 with 6 home runs and 31 RBI in 266 at-bats last year. If things don't work out, we could see a lot of Devin Mesoraco this year.
Joey Votto (First Base) - Votto didn't repeat his MVP numbers from 2010, but if a .309 average, 29 home runs and 103 RBI are a down year, the Reds will take it. With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder making the jump to the American League, Votto is now the premier first baseman in the National League and I think his best years are still to come.
Brandon Phillips (Second Base) - Another phenomenal season last year has vaulted Phillips into the class of elite second basemen. His career-high.300 average topped all NL second basemen last year, and he also had 18 home runs and 82 RBI. If you include his exceptional defense, it is no wonder that the three-time Gold Glove winner is considered one of the best at his position.
Zack Cozart (Shortstop) - The Reds are excited about their young shortstop, and not without reason. He is considered one of the top prospects in the game and showed some of his potential over 11 games last season, hitting .324 with two home runs before being sidelined with an elbow injury..
Scott Rolen (Third Base) - Staying healthy will be the name of the game for Rolen in 2012. He showed he still has something to offer, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 83 runs in 2010, but injuries limited him to just 65 games last year. The veteran could provide some consistency near the bottom half of the lineup if his body holds up.
Chris Heisey (Left Field) - Heisey is expected to get a chance to start every day in left field after a couple of seasons in which he was used primarily as a backup. He has hit just.254 in 480 career at-bats, but he has some power worth keeping an eye on. After hitting just 8 home runs in 201 at-bats in 2010, Heisey belted 18 home runs in just 279 at-bats in 2011.
Drew Stubbs (Center Field) - Stubbs stole 40 bases and slugged 15 home runs, but also set the franchise record with 205 strikeouts last season. With a little more patience at the plate, Stubbs could be a difference-maker in this lineup.
Jay Bruce (Right Field) - Despite coming off an All-Star season in 2011, he was wildly inconsistent down the stretch. He finished up the year with an impressive 32 home runs and 97 RBI, but 12 of his home runs and 33 of his RBI came in the month of May. He hit just.228 in April and.217 in June, with just 6 homers in those two months combined.
Projected Lineup
Ryan Hanigan (Catcher) - After the Reds decided not to bring back veteran Ramon Hernandez, Hanigan will likely open the 2012 season as the everyday catcher. He isn't a real threat offensively, as he hit just.267 with 6 home runs and 31 RBI in 266 at-bats last year. If things don't work out, we could see a lot of Devin Mesoraco this year.
Joey Votto (First Base) - Votto didn't repeat his MVP numbers from 2010, but if a .309 average, 29 home runs and 103 RBI are a down year, the Reds will take it. With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder making the jump to the American League, Votto is now the premier first baseman in the National League and I think his best years are still to come.
Brandon Phillips (Second Base) - Another phenomenal season last year has vaulted Phillips into the class of elite second basemen. His career-high.300 average topped all NL second basemen last year, and he also had 18 home runs and 82 RBI. If you include his exceptional defense, it is no wonder that the three-time Gold Glove winner is considered one of the best at his position.
Zack Cozart (Shortstop) - The Reds are excited about their young shortstop, and not without reason. He is considered one of the top prospects in the game and showed some of his potential over 11 games last season, hitting .324 with two home runs before being sidelined with an elbow injury..
Scott Rolen (Third Base) - Staying healthy will be the name of the game for Rolen in 2012. He showed he still has something to offer, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 83 runs in 2010, but injuries limited him to just 65 games last year. The veteran could provide some consistency near the bottom half of the lineup if his body holds up.
Chris Heisey (Left Field) - Heisey is expected to get a chance to start every day in left field after a couple of seasons in which he was used primarily as a backup. He has hit just.254 in 480 career at-bats, but he has some power worth keeping an eye on. After hitting just 8 home runs in 201 at-bats in 2010, Heisey belted 18 home runs in just 279 at-bats in 2011.
Drew Stubbs (Center Field) - Stubbs stole 40 bases and slugged 15 home runs, but also set the franchise record with 205 strikeouts last season. With a little more patience at the plate, Stubbs could be a difference-maker in this lineup.
Jay Bruce (Right Field) - Despite coming off an All-Star season in 2011, he was wildly inconsistent down the stretch. He finished up the year with an impressive 32 home runs and 97 RBI, but 12 of his home runs and 33 of his RBI came in the month of May. He hit just.228 in April and.217 in June, with just 6 homers in those two months combined.
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