In our annual preseason podcasts, Rich, Sonny and I all spoke highly of the possibilities of this season’s Cincinnati Reds. Less than two months into the season, we’ve already seen plenty of promise from some of the fruits in the Reds’ minor league system in guys like Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. But I’m still wondering one thing: Where the hell are Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey?
With an 18-23 record, the Reds find themselves in dead last and seven games back in the NL Central. However, contributions from the aforementioned prospects have put a small gleam on an otherwise dreary season. But where the hell are Bruce and Bailey? Thought to be the best player in the minors before the year started, all Bruce has done is hit over .600 in his last 10 games with an overall batting average of over .360. For a squad that rarely hesitates to promote minor league talent, why leave the best hitter of them all toiling in AAA ball?
With Adam Dunn flirting with the Mendoza line and Ken Griffey Jr. seemingly aging before our eyes, Bruce’s call-up seems inevitable. Dusty Baker has been called an idiot for many things, but continuing to run out an outfield of Dunn, Griffey and .235 hitting Corey Patterson seems a bit excessive..
As for Homer Bailey, his cup of coffee in the bigs last season wasn’t quite what Reds fans had in mind. But what the hell else can he accomplish in the minors? For a team going nowhere fast, why isn’t Bailey battling through the rigors of Major League Baseball like Cueto? He can’t do any worse than current #5 started Matt Belisle, who has thrown up an impressive ERA of 7.45.
Perhaps the Reds are being patient with Bailey, knowing The Toothpick will be licking his chops to blow out his arm. We’re already seeing that with his use of Volquez, who has thrown 110 and 118 pitches in his last two starts. Regardless of Baker’s unorthodox reckless use of young arms, there’s still no reason for Bailey to be in the minors. Bring these guys up and get this youth movement officially underway.
