Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - 290 | Cincinnati Reds | Profile & Projection

Episode Date: March 3, 2021

You guys ranked the Cincinnati Reds as baseball's #20 team! Jomboy, Jake, & Plouffe preview their 2021 season Presented by DraftKings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's another team profile and projection. We are doing your Cincinnati Reds. My name's Jimmy. His name is Jake. His name is Trevor. And his name is Bug Bug Dude. This is Talking Baseball presented by Draft Kings. Jake, are you ready to talk about the Reds?

Maybe the team that frustrated me the most last year because we were so into what they were doing. They had Bauer, they had Sonny, they had Luis, they had. They had all the hitters. They were going to be great. And then they refused to win a series. And then they gave us the most boring playoff game ever to be played. So that's where I'm currently at with them. Can you tell me, Jake, what has changed with this team?

Have they added anyone? Is Bauer still on their team? I don't know. I think you'd have some idea of that. Yeah, they got hot at the end, 3129, just enough to rope us in just for a rope-a-dope playoff matchup with the Braves where they didn't hit it all. Jim, they did end up losing Trevor Bauer. He went to the Dodgers and Elsa Young winner last year.

Archie Bradley out of the pen. He goes to Philadelphia. Reisseliglesias. He goes to the Angels. Anthony Deskelthani. Just talked about him on the Giants. Freddie Galvis went to Baltimore. Brian Goodwin's on the Pirates.

Kurt Casalee. Trevor's best friend is on the Giants. They added a couple body. Sean Doolittle, friend of the fans. family. He goes over. Scott Heineman, friend of the family. He goes over a lot of arms. Noe Ramirez, Perez, Perez, Hector, and Cional, not familiar. I'll be honest. Kyle Holder in the Rule 5 from our Yanks Jim, David Gruyong. Maybe ends up behind the plate a little bit for them. More losses than Adiz, Trev, that lineup that had a tough 2020.

I like the lineup, man. And it's very disappointed. We talked these guys up so much last year. We said we don't want to face the Reds in the playoffs. They're pitching staffs coming for you. And then we saw them in the playoffs and sure seemed like everyone would want to face them because they put out a bad series. But catcher, you know who's back there. Tucker Barnard.

He's a stalwart for them. Gold Glove, machine. Also a big John Boy media fan, Trev. Just let you know. I like Tucker a lot. We hung out of the mall one time in Cincinnati. How about that? Like that.

The mall in Cincinnati. Yeah, we didn't really hang out. We just saw each other. It was like a coming of age book. Yeah, but I like Tucker a lot. Gold Gloved guy. Joey Vado, he's been around for a while, huh? He's a stud.

Second base, my guy, the moose, Mike Bustakis. Back for another year there in Sinci. And a shortstop, we got Jose Garcia here, but they need to find somebody. He's one of their top prospects, hasn't hit much. still think they're looking for someone to fill that for this year. Third base, Eugenio Suarez, who's one of the more underrated players in the league, in my opinion.

Left field, Shogo, Akiyama, center field, Nick Senzel, and then right field. Our guy, Nick Castellanos. Jim, hit me with the rotation, please. Sunny Gray, we'll be throwing pitches. Luis Castillo, Tyler Miley, Wade Miley. We got Lorenzen Hoffman, Guterarez, also around the relievers.

You got Amir Garrett. Bad ass dude. You got Sean Doolittle. Like him? Lucas Sims. Taye. Hey, Anton. Hmm.

DJ. Can I tell you guys something? I like their lineup. I like their rotation enough. I. like their back end relievers. I don't believe in the Reds. And I don't know why.

The offense should be good. They gave you a reason to. The offense should be good. Like, Winker, he had a good season last year. Votto, one of the best players in MLB. History, not currently. Mustakis, very high ceiling.

Good player. Eugenio Suarez. People do sit on him. He's good. Castellanos. Good. They all sucked last year, besides Jesse Winker. So the stat I mentioned before the show that I got a little wrong, they're the first MLB team to have more walks than singles. They had more hits than walks, but they had more walks than singles.

First time an MLB team does that. And yeah, man, this lineup never got it going. We liked it. We like what Moose can do. We like what Suarez can do. It felt like they ran out of season. I mean, Eugèneos Juarez was, you know, on the interstate for most of the last season. He ends up hitting 202. Ends up with 15 homers, though, which last year was actually one of the leaders in the league.

But they just, it felt like they ran out of time. And Jim, that's the only thing that makes me nervous is, okay, let's say this hitting comes back and it does tick up. I mean, this team lost a lot. They lost Bauer, who won the Cy Young last year. They lost Rysel, who's been closing games for them for a while. They lost Archie Bradley, who they picked up and helped settle that bullpen. So I'm a-dramoy Media podcast host, Archie Bradley. Archie Bradley.

I'm, you know, who's going to be playing shorts up? It just feels like this team was already at a, eh, spot, and they lost a lot. They lost a lot. So I don't know. I was hoping the Reds were going to do a little more in Free Agency this year, I think they were hoping to do a little more, at least at the shortstop position, so we could buy in. But, man, I don't know. I don't know.

Tough. And, hey, we've said this a few times over the offseason. They had built up everything for last year to go full tilt. I mean, with the lineup, with Trevor Bauer, Archie Bradley, who they acquired. And they got that short season, and it ended how it ended. Can I tell you something that's going to happen for a lot of Reds fans? Please. This is serious, so be ready for it.

Okay. A lot of Reds fans, diehard Reds fans are going to be watching games. Sean Doolittle is going to get called out of the bullpen. It's going to run to the mound. And then your significant other, your sister, your grandma, who watches with you, but doesn't really pay attention, but watches with you, it was going to be like, oh, I remember him. That's the guy they traded for it.

And then you're going to have to say, no, this is a different reliever with a beard. This is a different guy, grandma. So just, yeah, be prepared for that. Okay. That's big. That was your big. That was it. If I have one thing to prepare Reds fans for, your casual viewing body is going to confuse. Do a little with Bradley.

That was serious to a degree. I like both. Speaking of confused, I've been calling Eugenio Suarez, Eugenio Suarez forever. But it turns out it's a Eweeno. Promise you. You got to do the A first. A eugenio. I guess if you're saying hi.

And I feel bad. People mispronounced my name all the freaking time, so it sucks. So I want to get that right. We constantly butcher names on this show. It's not our fault. But now that I'm seeing it right in front of me, I just have to make that correction. Eugenio.

Names are tough for being honest. I mean, I'm not trying to be rude to his name right now, but what you're saying doesn't sound like a name to me. No. And I don't think that's right. I still like this into, and I made the statement on my Twitter that the Cardinals have ran away with the Central

as soon as they signed Aeronado. When I look at this team, I say, why can't this team win the NL Central? Do you guys agree with that? No, I don't think they can win. Do you want to do floor and ceiling? There's an Argentine, there's an actress from Argentina whose name is UNAIA.

Suarez, kind of like an Evan Longoria, Eva Longoria situation. So I don't know if our guy, I Eugenio is aware of this, but potential dating mate for him, unless they're both married. Like that. Then stick with your family. It's good to know. Do you believe in this team, Jake?

No. Wow. No, I mean, here's what I'll say. Jesse Winker with a breakout last year. I like that. Keep breaking, Jesse. And then, you know what? If Moose comes up and he's Moose, if Suarez can be Suarez.

Castellanos can be Cassius. I can believe in a lot of those things pretty easily. Votto ended up having a night. year last year in the short season. Amazing career, on-base guy. I hope he continues it. He's obviously come down from the one-dot OPS dude he used to be. If he can be an 800 OPS guy for them, nice.

And that's right where he landed last year. The pitching man, Sunny Gray, we like him. Throwing a lot of good baseball. He's got a home in Cincinnati with his old pitching coach, I believe, good. Luis Castillo, bona fide stud. In Tyler Molley, I mean, he's, he's, Had a nice year last year. Wade Miley's had MLB seasons.

Lorenzen, your guy, Jim, let's see what he's got starting. It just feel like this team got worse in every aspect. But I don't believe that how they performed last year is true to form. And that's true with the lineup. So there should be there should be bounce backs, but also. I agree with that. All right. So I have a question for you then, Jay, because this is where I want to see where you truly land.

Yeah. How honest you'll be. For real. For real. If this Reds lineup that we're talking about hits at everybody hits at average to above average, what do you think the red ceiling is? Can they win the division?

Everybody? Mm-hmm. Like, what are we saying? 80% of the starters lineup and bullpen has above average or average seasons. And that feels like a lot. So let's see. We like their lineup to be six deep.

I mean, if Senzel can find a home, then you get another bat there. I like two guys in their rotation. I mean, we need guys to step up in the bullpen. Hopefully those four can be good. I'm not there, man. I'm just not. What about you think they can come second in the division? I think they can.

I think they can, but only because it's a total slog. Like, I think when we end up comparing this team to St. Louis and Chicago, I do think we're going to take a step back and be like, oh. Yeah, I think you're right. I think that this team, if they... Third. You have third as their ceiling?

Yeah. I have second as their ceiling. I don't think it's likely, but I think it's attainable if they just go crazy. There's got a lot of talent. There's a lot of talent on this roster. I feel like this is one of the first teams where I'm like, fuck, why aren't this team good? We haven't even talked about my dude at Astetus.

19 bombs in 20. 2019. Sure did. Didn't hit many last year. No. Fun batting stands. Sends will figure it out big prospect for them. Go get a short stop.

Or, hey, maybe Kyle Holder and maybe the Kyle's lock it up, but. I'm on the Reds train. I was on it last year. They underperformed. I think they have the potential to win the division without a doubt. And they also have an ace up their sleeve in Hunter Green. Now, he's represented by one of my buddies, so I get to see a lot of the clip. from their offseason workouts and what this guy's an absolute stud he's like six five tall dude those

absolute cheese now he had Tommy John came was working back last year be ready for this year probably won't start um in the big leagues but I'd say there's no doubt we're going to see him at some point this year if he stays healthy you get that kind of bump in your rotation you kind of start out hot man there's no reason these this team can't win the NL Central. Even with the Cardinals trading for... So I'm lower than Treb, but I'm higher than you, Jake. Reds fans tweet at me because I like being positive.

Tell me what's up. Do you the over under. Tell me what's up, because I don't know. Hindman, go nuts. Right-hand pitcher Tyler Molley's average breaking pitch velocity shot up 6.4 miles per hour from 80 to 86. Yeah. From 2019 to 2020.

This came after Molly lost 2.7 miles per hour on his breaking ball from 2018-19, the 8th motion league. So net, net, what do we got there? Three miles per hour? Well, it went down. Right. 2.7. And then it went up 6.8. Right.

So he gained three from 2018. Yeah. Since Stadcast started looking, since Stadcast started tracking this in 2016, no other pitcher has added more than an average of 5.5. point six to their breaking balls from one to see the next. I wonder if Bauer did help some of that crew with his ability to read the... Exactly what I was just going to say. Yeah. What tidbits did Trevor Bauer lead behind for these guys?

I mean, he is a scientist in the lab with a lot of... What's the word I'm thinking for? What's the stat cat? It's the stuff they put on the field. God damn it. Track man. Track man, but it's called something now, so I forget. They put it behind the pitch.

Rapsodo. Rapsodo machines. That's what I was trying to say. And they have the drive line guys there. They came and Kyle Boddy, the owner of driveline is now the pitching coordinator with them. So like, look, this guy knows how to develop guys and get the best,

you know, I don't want to talk about player development anymore because I got absolutely chewed apart last episode. But look, they're going to develop players. And that's why, you know, I'm excited about prospects like Hunter Green who have the stuff already.

And then if you, if you can unlock something else with them, I'm kind of high on the Reds. I don't think they're World Series contenders, but in that weak division, I can see it happening. Do you have, do they have two kids named Kyle

that are going to mess around at short? Yeah, and we could be bearing the lead because Jose Garcia is a big prospect for them and maybe he gets run it short this year, but right now it's looking like the Kyle's. Farmer and Holder? Farmer and Holder.

And the holder is a really good ping pong player. Yeah, it's true. He won the Yankees spring training clubhouse ping pong tournament. Are there any short stops out there for them? I want to check now. You want them to find a shortstop? Yeah. They really want a DD.

Arto Nunez. Ooh, Noonie. Yeah, I don't think they need one. If Jose can pick it, I don't think this team. needs offense. I think they have enough. I know it wasn't there last year, but I definitely look for a bounce back on the offensive side of the ball for them. There's just too many good, established hitters in their lineup for them to have a second poor year. So I don't know if Jose can pick it. I'm sure he can. That's why he's a top prospect. Go pick it, man. Who's on contract years, Jake?

Have we looked at that at all? I have not. What are you looking up? I'm at the, I mean, there were 30th batting average last year. They were fourth in ERA, and that's, I mean, Bauer, Ryssel, and Archie. It was just such a, there's such a big part of their team last year that, I don't know. You're an old team.

I know that. That's. Prove me wrong. Do they have trade pieces? Like, um, do little? If he's pitching well and they're out of it, they can, they can trade him. Everyone always looking for reliever help.

Cincinnati. Reds contracts. How many Kyle's do you think are in the league currently? Ooh. It's a tough one. Let's see. Votto's getting paid. Suarez, kind of getting paid.

Good value. Moose getting paid. Castellanos getting paid. Sunny Gray, two years left. Wow. If things go south, I don't know. I have 21 Kyle's that played in the MLB last year. Lorenzen, Wade Miley.

Do Little. Garrett. Garrett's got some years, but. Not much. Wow. Yeah. So, Jake, you need Reds fans to tell you why they're so high on the Reds. I mean, what are, do you guys know the Over Under?

Like, should we start guessing the Over Under before we see it. 82, 80? 82. I don't know what it is. I'm guessing that's what I'm, I'm guessing that's what I think it might be. What is it? Yeah. It's 82 and a half.

I know Central's week. Oh, that's what I'm. Okay, so my guess was great. I had them just around 500. I'm taking the under. Like I said, I don't believe in them. But I think they, I think they're ceiling as high. I just don't believe in them reaching it.

I'm taking the over. There's a lot of talent on the team. A lot of talent, mix of a weak NL Central was sort of. It was crazy that they didn't win any serious last year. It was, we couldn't figure it out. And then that playoff game was so boring. Yeah, I mean, it. I don't think we're going to see offensive output.

be so down this year. It's kind of why baseball is beautiful. The turnaround, you know, if things start clicking, they continue to click. I don't know. I don't know. I feel like they lost a lot. I think the cards are going to be there. I do think the Cubs are going to be there.

So does this team get over 500? Brewers get pesky on you. I'd go under. Taking the under? Well, of course you're under. I've been living under this whole podcast. You hate them. I want to love them

You do? Sure I don't know Sure Cincinnati Mall What were you guys doing at the mall Trev Getting anti-hands or something

I don't know what I was doing I wasn't I was I was in the Phillies that time I wasn't playing at all I just had to waste some time I just went to the mall Spiritual Mall trip Yeah whatever

Tucker was probably buying something To shine his gold gloves Yeah smart I like Tucker I'm rooting for the Reds Root for him I like this team I do

Okay That's it This was the The oddest Team propon projection so far I don't think Mess up the Central Go get it

We're out And they're a little higher On the NL Central They're doing it this year Without power That could be what people say Hunter Green baby, let's go.