| Cincinnati Reds Spring Report | Minor Leaguer 40 Man and Non-Roster Invitees | Return to Spring Report |

Cincinnati Reds Spring Training 2006 Report

The Reds will get some help from Edwin Encarnacion and a few key prospects. Several are still light years from making the major league club, and will have to step it up in 2006 to become an asset that hits the Reds' radar.

Arms

Mike Burns escapes the mushroom management of Houston for a chance in Cincy. The righty had a 2.10 ERA in 25 games on about 30 innings of work. His 27 games with Houston saw his numbers rise to 4.94. He looked good this Spring, but will probably find himself in Louisville to start.

We liked Phillip Dumatrait this Spring. In 2005 he was moving through the farm's lower depths in Sarasota and Chattanooga. He was 2.70 for the S-Reds and 3.17 for the Lookouts. We could see him in Louisville this year.

Plate

They don't make 'em like Johnny Bench any more. Both Dane Sardinha and Miguel Perez have to crank it up in Louisville for the Bats if they want to look at a major league plate to call home. Sardinha is the brother of Bronson Sardinha (MLN FAB50 2004 No. 40)

Base Path

Edwin Encarnacion (MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 No. 14) is major league. The third baseman had a great 2005, batting .315 with 14 home runs for Louisville, then a fair .232 with nine dingers and 31 RBI for Cincinnati. He looked sharp this Spring.

The Deep Grass

Chris Denorfia was an express train through Chattanooga in 2005 with a .330 average in 46 games and 188 at-bats. He moved up to Louisville where the slugger held .310 and increased his dinger delivery to 13 with 61 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. His promotion to the Reds for 18 games was a bit more muted. He might stay up, or he might tune it up in Louisville.