Countdown to Opening Day: #6 Cincinnati Reds

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Drew Stubbs

SS Edgar Renteria
1B Joey Votto

2B Brandon Phillips
RF Jay Bruce

3B Scott Rolen
LF Johnny Gomes

C Ramon Hernandez

P Edinson Volquez

PROJECTED ROTATION

Edinson Volquez

Bronson Arroyo

Johnny Cueto

Homer Bailey

Travis Wood

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Francisco Cordero
Set-up - Aroldis Chapman

Top Prospect - Aroldis Chapman (LHP)

Breakout

Jay Bruce - With 20 plus homers in his first 3 years in the bigs, his age 24 season could be his best yet. Bruce hit .340 with 15 homers and 29 RBIs after August and I think he could carry that over to this year. Look for Bruce to clear 30 homers with ease and drive 100 runs in.

Bust

Francisco Cordero - Dusty Baker was loyal to "Co Co" last year and will Chapman in the bullpen, a young stud that throw triple digits, the current closer with not have a long leash. The first signs of struggles and Cordero could find himself traded or in the eighth inning.

Biggest Spring Training Question

Going from the predator to prey - I think the rise to the top is a little easier than the fight to stay there. Last year the Reds burst into the playoffs and this year teams are going to be coming after them. Votto will be pitched differently, the starters health and performance will be magnified and all-in-all it will really test this team's character.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 91-71

PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the National League Central

Could Votto win back-to-back MVPs?

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME

Check back tomorrow for the San Francisco Giants