Countdown to Opening Day: #4 Cincinnati Reds

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#4 Cincinnati Reds: Cuban Missile Crisis

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Shin-Soo Choo
2B Brandon Phillips
1B Joey Votto
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
LF Ryan Ludwick
SS Zack Cozart
C Ryan Hanigan
P Johnny Cueto

PROJECTED ROTATION
Johnny Cueto
Mat Latos
Homer Bailey
Bronson Arroyo
Mike Leake

BULLPEN

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Set-up: Johnathan Broxton

Top Prospect: Billy Hamilton (OF)

Now that the Reds have finally come to their senses and put Aroldis Chapman back into the closer's role they can pick up where they left off last season. Who knows what would have happen if Johnny Cueto did not get hurt in the playoff series against the Giants.
The past cannot be changed, so instead they took a good look at themselves and sured up their weaknesses in the offseason - or they think they did.
Shin-Soo Choo was brought over from Cleveland to play center field and bat leadoff, something the Reds sorely missed last season. Choo played mostly right field for the Indians and is not your prototypical leadoff guy, but his career on base percentage says he should be able to get the job done.
In the big picture, Choo is just holding the positition down until Billy Hamilton can prove he get play the outfield and get on base at the big league level. Just a year ago Hamilton stole 155 bases in the minors, but was an infielder and not quite ready for big league pitching.
The starting pitching should be fine, as the same five that made every start last season has a chance to do it again. With Chapman back in the bullpen and Jonathan Broxton moving to a set-up role, the bullpen should be deeper than ever.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Joey Votto is able to set a career high in RBIs thanks to the table setters hitting in front of him. With Choo and Brandon Phillips it the 1-2 spots for this offense, which has already been one of the better ones in the N.L., the Reds have the best year since the 1970s. The power extends deep with guys like Todd Frazier and Ryan Ludwick also surpassing the 20 home run mark. This modern day Big Red Machine team is balanced and dangerous.

REAL TALK - The big down fall could come from pitching, but I like them to be one of the best teams all season and make a run at a title. Johnny Cueto never seems to get the respect of a bonafide ace, but he seems to be one. I guess if Cueto does take a step back and the back-end of Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake cannot get it done they could disappoint in Cincy - but I would not count on it.

Breakout: Mat Latos (RHP)

Bust: Ryan Ludwick (OF)
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Homer Bailey (RHP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 97-65 (1st in NL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 95-67 (1st in NL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Texas Rangers**