After a disappointing 2014 campaign, a healthy lineup is leading to early-season success for the Reds.
Joey Votto’s health gives Reds renewed hope in NL Central
With Joey Votto back to his MVP self and a lineup full of contributors, the Reds have some early-season hope in the NL Central.
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The biggest boost has been Joey Votto’s return to form following an uncharacteristically poor season in which a left quad strain affected his performance and kept him out of the lineup for three months. Votto has quickly dispelled any lingering worries over his health, belting three home runs and slugging over .700 through the first seven games of 2015.
With Votto back to form, the Reds offense is suddenly shaping up to be one of the most potent in the National League. Todd Frazier has picked up right where he left off in 2014, and Billy Hamilton has demonstrated improved on-base ability to go along with his elite speed at the top of the lineup.
Long one of Cincinnati's most dangerous sluggers, Jay Bruce has regained his power in the early going after seeing his production dip to career-worst levels last year. Even the club's perennial problem in left field seems to be solved for the time being with the acquisition of Marlon Byrd, who should continue to hit for some power in the cozy confines of Great American Ballpark.
All this gives Cincinnati renewed hope in the season’s opening month, although Devin Mesoraco’s hip injury does provide reason for caution.
Poor health can still derail the Reds. Cincinnati has little depth beyond its starting lineup, and if any regulars go down with injuries (as happened last season) then the team may have trouble replacing them. That won’t help in a deep division where the Reds have no margin for error.
But for the time being at least, with Votto and Bruce swinging the bat well and Frazier and Hamilton representing an exciting young tandem, the Reds have reasons to dream.
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