Taking Stock- The State of Reds Organizational Pitching

[Benihana]

STARTING PITCHING

The way I see it, four of the five rotation spots are locked up for the next four years. Harang and Arroyo are signed through 2011, and Bailey is here to stay. I think most are in agreement that Matt Belisle has shown that he can be a very competitive #5 starter at the big league level for the forseeable future. That leaves one spot available, barring trades and injury. Here's how it shakes down:

(lefties in ALL CAPS)

MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL

Aaron Harang 29
Bronson Arroyo 30
Homer Bailey 21
Matt Belisle 27

MINOR LEAGUE LEVEL (in order of present prospect status)

Johnny Cueto, 21 A+
Sean Watson, 21 A
Daryl Thompson, 21 A+
Carlos Fisher, 24 AA
Richie Gardner, 25 AAA
TRAVIS WOOD, 20 A+
Sam LeCure, 22 AA
Rafael Gonzalez, 21 A
TZU-KAI CHIU, 19, Rookie
Josh Ravin, 19 Rookie
Kyle Lotzkar 17, Rookie


LONG RELIEVERS/SPOT STARTERS

The following pitchers, while not strong candidates to be quality starters for years to come, have the potential to provide solid long relief/spot starting duty.

Elizardo Ramirez, 24
PHIL DUMATRAIT, 25
Bobby Livingston, 25


RELIEF PITCHERS

In my opinion, the sooner the Reds are able to trade the likes of David Weathers and Mike Stanton, the better for the development of the youngsters and the outlook of the future. The Reds currently have several guys both at the minor and major league levels that are ready to be battle tested with the big club. I say we let these guys take their lumps and then see what remains. I believe there are two tiers of the major league guys, with Bray, McBeth and Coffey in a higher class than Coutlangous, Burton and Salmon. Regardless, when you throw in the minor league guys, there are enough arms here to go forward without the veterans that just clog the payroll. Let's see what we got:

MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL

BILL BRAY, 24
Marcus McBeth, 26
Todd Coffey, 26
JARED COUTLANGOUS, 26
Jared Burton, 26
Brad Salmon, 27

MINOR LEAGUE LEVEL (by present prospect status)

Tyler Pelland, 23 AA
Calvin Medlock, 24 AA
Carlos Guevara, 25 AA

[flyer85]

I would throw Roenicke in the relief mix.

[bearcatfan24]

Good points but if you trade all of the vetreans then the oldest guy in the bullpen is 27 and in his first full season with the reds.

Are we even sure that the minor league bullpen guys are ready to contribute because aren't they all at AA or lower.

[bearcatfan24]

I would throw Roenicke in the relief mix.

Isnt he only in single A?

Does he deserve a shot right now, Im not sure but maybe in Sept.

[Steve4192]

LOOGIES

The following pitchers, while not strong candidates to be quality starters for years to come, have the potential to provide solid long relief/spot starting duty.

Elizardo Ramirez, 24
PHIL DUMATRAIT, 25
Bobby Livingston, 25


Not to nitpick, but the term LOOGY stands for Lefty One Out GuY. Right-handed pitchers (Lizard) or guys who you project as long relievers / spot starters (Dumatrait, Livingston) should not be lumped under the LOOGY moniker.

[Benihana]

Not to nitpick, but the term LOOGY stands for Lefty One Out GuY. Right-handed pitchers (Lizard) or guys who you project as long relievers / spot starters (Dumatrait, Livingston) should not be lumped under the LOOGY moniker.

you're right, I had a brain fart. What I meant for that category was Long Relief/Spot starter. Thanks.

[Benihana]

Good points but if you trade all of the vetreans then the oldest guy in the bullpen is 27 and in his first full season with the reds.

Are we even sure that the minor league bullpen guys are ready to contribute because aren't they all at AA or lower.

I'd keep Guardado around both for his pitching potential, his untradeable status due to his injury, but also for his tutelage to the young guys. Weathers and Stanton both have some trade value, g'bye!

Medlock and Guevara will probably be ready for a shot in the bigs by September. They should both be promoted to AAA at the break. Pelland needs some more seasoning, since he recently made the switch from starting.

[bucksfan2]

A lot of people on this board are really high on Belisle. I am not one of those. I think he is a back of the rotation starter. Obviously the reds could do a lot worse back there but the reds hopefully will have better options. I hope that they are able to replace him at some point.

[Benihana]

A lot of people on this board are really high on Belisle. I am not one of those. I think he is a back of the rotation starter. Obviously the reds could do a lot worse back there but the reds hopefully will have better options. I hope that they are able to replace him at some point.

that's all I said- that he is a very serviceable #5 starter, and better than league average at that spot. By no means do I suggest he should be anything more, and if two of these guys from the minors end up being better than him, so be it.

[Sea Ray]

In my opinion, the sooner the Reds are able to trade the likes of David Weathers and Mike Stanton, the better for the development of the youngsters and the outlook of the future

I'm OK with keeping Weathers although he probably will have the most trade value. The pitchers clogging the path for the youngsters are the likes of Stanton and Majewski. Might even add Coffey to that list...

[Benihana]

I'm OK with keeping Weathers although he probably will have the most trade value. The pitchers clogging the path for the youngsters are the likes of Stanton and Majewski. Might even add Coffey to that list...

Coffey I'd keep. Majewski I'd cut. Try to trade Stanton and Weathers if you can.

[bucksfan2]

Coffey I'd keep. Majewski I'd cut. Try to trade Stanton and Weathers if you can.

Majewski I would send down to AAA and hope he can work out his stuff. Coffey I trade if anyone offeres me anything of value in return. He just doesn't have the stuff to be a late inning reliever and is more suited as a 6th inning pitcher.

[Mario-Rijo]

Bobby Livingston is a LH and Coutlangus first name is John I believe. :fineprint ;)

[Mario-Rijo]

Majewski I would send down to AAA and hope he can work out his stuff. Coffey I trade if anyone offeres me anything of value in return. He just doesn't have the stuff to be a late inning reliever and is more suited as a 6th inning pitcher.

I'm really starting to wonder if Majewski isn't done! He is obviously not injured and he is throwing strikes, but his "stuff" looks to be flat and straight.