Know the enemy: Breaking down the 2015 Cincinnati Reds

2014 was an altogether forgettable season for the Cincinnati Reds, a club that had won at least 90 games in three of the previous for years. With slugging first baseman Joey Votto sidelined by injuries and an overall lackluster performance, as a whole, the club is no-doubt ready to turn the page to 2015.

This ongoing series will take a look at each NL Central club, breaking down their respective starting rotations, bullpens, position players, management and overall outlook heading into the 2015 campaign.

Here is the full schedule for the series (which also includes a look at our very own Cubs):

Monday 3/30: Milwaukee Brewers
Wednesday 4/1: Cincinnati Reds
Thursday 4/2: Pittsburgh Pirates
Friday 4/3: Chicago Cubs
Saturday 4/4: St. Louis Cardinals

But first, a look at a Cincinnati Reds club that made some major moves this offseason; but will those moves improve the club in the season ahead?

Starting rotation

The biggest loss suffered by the Cincinnati Reds this offseason came in the trade that sent right-hander Mat Latos to the Miami Marlins – leaving a question mark in the starting rotation heading into this spring.

The veteran had made at least 30 starts in five consecutive seasons – but last year, he made just 16 starts in what proved to be his final year at Great American Ballpark. He was still effective, pitching to a 3.25 earned run average and 1.153 WHIP; but heading into his age 27 season, he’ll anchor a young – albeit talented – starting rotation in Miami.

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After ace Johnny Cueto, who is a perennial Cy Young candidate in the National League, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake will hold down the front-end of the starting rotation. From there, questions arise: Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Jason Marquis have all battled for spots this spring.

Marquis has been surprisingly good this spring – going 3-1 with a 3.46 earned run average in six games spanning 26 innings of work. Meanwhile, DeSclafani has seemingly matched the veteran right-hander blow-for-blow – pitching to a 3.51 clip in half a dozen starts. Iglesias, who has split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation, has also been solid – and is penciled in as a starter to open the campaign.

The Reds have amassed a decent amount of depth starting pitching-wise and should weather the early season absence of Bailey well – if the young arms at the back end can hold up their end of the deal, the Cincinnati staff could be a dark horse quality rotation in the National League.

Position players

The success of the Reds’ season rests on the shoulders of first baseman Joey Votto. Last season, he appeared in just 62 games for Cincinnati – his lowest total since his rookie campaign in 2007. At just 31 years old and with nearly a decade left on his massive deal, it’s not just this season – but the next era of Reds baseball – that depends on Votto’s health.

Despite missing time, he still put up a respectable .255/.390/.409 line for Cincinnati – a far cry from what he’s used to (he’s a career .310/.417/.533 hitter) – hitting just half a dozen homers in 220 at-bats. If he can make his usual 600 to 700 plate appearances, he’s an on-base machine; if he’s not, the offense takes on a very different look.

This team has all the makings of an offensive powerhouse – if healthy.

His counterpart on the right side of the infield, Brandon Phillips, also missed time last year – appearing in just over 120 games. It’ll be up to these two to bring the team back to life in 2015 – and if the second baseman can revert back to his 103-RBI self of 2013, things could turn around on a dime.

Apart from the dynamic duo, several intriguing options scatter the lineup card for manager Bryan Price – center fielder Billy Hamilton – arguably the fastest player in the game today – and third baseman Todd Frazier, who was inked to a new contract this offseason. Last year, Frazier hit a career-high 29 home runs for Cincinnati – and coupled with Devin Mesoraco – the breakout catcher – this team has all the makings of an offensive machine.

Skipper

Replacing Dusty Baker is a tall task, but Bryan Price has brought his own touch to the Reds since assuming the reins back in 2013. His first season in Cincinnati was a forgettable one – but more than anything, that can be chalked up to the injuries that ravaged his club.

Price, the former pitching coach for the club, was brought back this season – along with general manager Walt Jocketty – but if things head south for a second consecutive season, he may find himself on some thin ice.

After four years as the Reds’ pitching coach, it was time for Price to get his shot. Now that the has a healthy roster, we can see what he is capable of as a big league skipper.