The pitching staff and especially the bullpen have been a week spot for the reds for a while, NOT THIS YEAR. The national media has even thrown around things like “best bullpen in baseball” and you know what, I can’t argue with them. With the addition of Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson to already having Nick Masset at the back of the bullpen if we can get to the 8th with a lead it’s going to be tough for teams to beat us. I’m sure I don’t need to sell Madson to you he’s one of the best closers in baseball, but I think that Marshall is just as big of a pick-up as Madson. Marshall is a fantastic left-handed relief pitcher, but unlike most lefties you don’t have to worry about putting him up against right-handed hitters, he can also easily go for a couple innings which in something like an extra inning game will make him possibly the most valuable pitcher in the bullpen. Add that back end to what will probably end up being Sam LeCure, Jose Arredondo, Logan Ondrusek, and Bill Bray to round out the bullpen and if our starters can go even 6 but defiantly if they can go 7 we will be in very good shape. The fact that we will have 3 guys down in Louisville in Andrew Brackman, Jordan Smith, and Aroldis Chapman (I know they’re trying to make him a starter but we’ll see) who can come up in case of someone struggling or injury makes me even more confident. In short for the first time in a while even with only a small lead or tie when our bullpen takes over, Reds fans can finally feel good about our chances.
Best Bullpen in Baseball
February 9, 2012 By 1 Comment
I can see Jordan Smith pitching his way up. Big, 6’4″, 220lbs, just turned 26. At times last season he showed why he belongs in the majors. Consistency is the key for Smith. If Masset has one of his slow starts then we could very well see Smith. Chapman, if not starting, will be in Louisville.
LeCure is one of my faves simply because of the mustache, which now has become a full beard. Seriously though, hard not to root for the underdog. Especially one as gritty as Sam is. He will eat up some innings also-77.2 last season. One batter or 5 innings, doesn’t matter to this man. Go Sam!
Ondrusek is a beast. Besides his imposing size, 6’8″, 240, he is an inning eater. He is a true “gimme the ball coach” kind of guy and doesn’t back down from anyone. Look forward to seeing some of his potential break out this season.
Bill Bray is another stud. For Reds relievers with 45 or more innings pitched, he had the second fewest HR’s given up. Three compared to Chapman’s two. I think this is the year we will see the “real” Bill Bray. Finally healthy for an extended amount of time. With Marshall in the pen now, these two make up a formidable left hand duo.
Arredondo has fantastic stuff. He just needs to find it. Too many walks last season, 31 in 53 innings pitched. Compare that to Bailey, who is a starter, 33 walks in 132 innings. The powers that be say he has it, we’ll see.
With Marshall and Madson rounding out the pen, it looks like a tough year for Reds opponents. Good Lord, this is an incredible bullpen!