Its been a few weeks since I last brought you an update from the Reds' spring camp, and once again there is plenty to talk about in Goodyear Arizona. With the start of the season just two weeks away now players have been re-assigned to minor league camps, including the young Billy Hamilton. The players in the WBC have now returned, our right fielder may be hitting his stride, and the biggest question everyone has is still the Aroldis Chapman conundrum. With only days left until opening day, how will everything shake out?
One of the most noticeable things a player can do to get noticed, even in spring training, is demonstrate the power they have in their bat. Its not secret that Jay Bruce has plenty of pop in his bat but has been inconsistent his whole career. He is a streaky player but when he gets in a group he is as good a hitter as any player in the game. Bruce has gone on a power serge lately, even hitting homers to the opposite field, which is always a great sign that he is seeing the ball well and has his timing down. This could be the year Jay puts it all together and has the kind of season that Reds fans know he is capable of. If he can start strong out of the gate we could see another silver slugger and possibly even some bigger hardware for Jay this season.
A few stars have been missing from Reds camp the past few weeks, but the All-star infield and faces of the Reds returned this week from the WBC. With both the U.S. and Canada being knocked out of the tournament Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto are back to work in Goodyear. As much as I rooted for team USA to make a run, I cant help but be relieved and happy that both of the stars have returned injury free and ready to get back to work. I would much rather see a healthy Votto and Phillips raise a World Series trophy than raise whatever the WBC winner gets.
The biggest question mark remains for Dusty Baker and his team, will Aroldis Chapman start, or should he be the team's closer. Dusty has made it clear he wants Chapman closing and the missile himself says he would rather close games. Luckily, Walt Jocketty knows that players don't get to choose where they play. If the Reds put the best pitcher they have in the closer role they would be foolish and I believe that Walt knows this and will stick to the plan to start Chapman. By the end of April, people will see how laughable Dusty is for the fact that he wanted to make this guy a closer instead of get as much production out of him hat they can, as well as putting him in a much more important role than closer. Don't let Aroldis waste away in the bullpen Walt, I'm confident that we will see Chapman in the rotation all through the year, and after a few starts there wont ever be a question again about where Aroldis Chapman belongs.
The biggest question mark remains for Dusty Baker and his team, will Aroldis Chapman start, or should he be the team's closer. Dusty has made it clear he wants Chapman closing and the missile himself says he would rather close games. Luckily, Walt Jocketty knows that players don't get to choose where they play. If the Reds put the best pitcher they have in the closer role they would be foolish and I believe that Walt knows this and will stick to the plan to start Chapman. By the end of April, people will see how laughable Dusty is for the fact that he wanted to make this guy a closer instead of get as much production out of him hat they can, as well as putting him in a much more important role than closer. Don't let Aroldis waste away in the bullpen Walt, I'm confident that we will see Chapman in the rotation all through the year, and after a few starts there wont ever be a question again about where Aroldis Chapman belongs. 
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