O'Brien:

"The acquisition of these two young starters is consistent with our organizational plan," O'Brien said. "From the outset, we have talked about adding depth to our starting rotation, both at the Major League level and throughout the system. Potentially, we have done that."

Reds Press Release:

SARASOTA -- Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the acquisition of LHP Jung Keun Bong (pronounced june(g) kewn bong) and RHP Bubba Nelson from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Chris Reitsma.
"The acquisition of these two young starters is consistent with our organizational plan," O'Brien said. "From the outset, we have talked about adding depth to our starting rotation, both at the Major League level and throughout the system. Potentially, we have done that."

Bong will report to the club's Major League spring training camp, while Nelson will report to the minor league camp. Bong will wear uniform number 34.

Bong, 23, made 45 appearances for Atlanta over the last 2 seasons. Since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in November 1997, the southpaw has been one of the most highly touted prospects in the Braves' organization.

This spring he made 5 relief appearances for the Braves and went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA (9.1ip, 10h, 2bb, 4k). In his minor league career, the native of Seoul, South Korea is 38-33 with a 3.32 ERA and 3 saves in 103 starts and 19 relief appearances.

Nelson, 22, was selected by the Braves in the second round of the June 2000 first-year player draft. In just 4 professional seasons he is 34-26 with a 3.03 ERA and 3 complete games in 76 starts and 21 relief appearances. Last season Nelson ranked sixth in the Class AA Southern League with a 3.18 ERA, and in 2002 he led all minor league starting pitchers with a 1.66 ERA.

Nelson enters the 2004 season rated by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the Braves organization and by USA Today Sports Weekly as one of the organization's top prospects. In 5 relief appearances for Atlanta this spring he went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA (6.2ip, 7h, 6bb, 1k).

Reitsma, 26, pitched for the Reds during all or parts of the last 3 seasons and went 22-32 with a 4.52 ERA and 12 saves in 53 starts and 72 relief appearances. He originally was acquired from the Red Sox on August 31, 2000, along with LHP John Curtice, in exchange for OF Dante Bichette.