The Rites of Spring Training: Pitchers

It's been a long time since I posted and I apologize. It was a very busy work schedule from NFL training camp to the end of the first round of NFL playoffs. But I hope to make more regular posts this season, especially as interesting storylines develop.

So I start off with the first in a series of posts about the roster heading to Sarasota. This edition? Pitchers. The Reds have 55 players in camp, including 27 pitchers, 7 catchers and 288 infielders.

The 40-man roster pitchers are: Arroyo, Belisle, Bray, Jared Burton, Coffey, Cormier, Jon Coutlangus, Phil Dumatrait, Harang, Bobby Livingston, Lohse, Majewski, Calvin Medlock, Milton, EZ, Kirk Saarloos, Shackelford, Mike Stanton and Weathers.

The non-roster invitees are: Homer Bailey, Mike Gosling, Jason Kershner, Brian Meadows, Victor Santos, Tom Shearn, Paul Wilson and Mr. Ed.

Wait, I think Mr. Ed was an outfielder.

Anyway, the obvious question is whether the Reds keep three catchers and go a man short in the bullpen. I say no way and Moeller will end up released or in the minors as insurance against injury to Ross or Valentin.

So, for argument’s sake, let’s say 12 pitchers go north. The obvious are: Harang, Arroyo, Milton, Lohse, Coffey, Stanton and Weathers.

Some of you may say what about Cormier, Bray, Majewski, Belisle and a few others? I'm not convinced Krivsky is finished tinkering with the roster and there could be trades, releases, injuries and all sorts of goodies, such as Bray and Majewski starting the season in the minors. Not likely, but if they have a bad spring . . . .

Otherwise, competition is wide (Bailey?), some deals could be made (Cormier?), some will be released (Shackelford?), someone will pitch themselves back to the minors (EZ?) and there is usually a surprise (Santos?) or two (Livingston?) to make the staff out of spring training.

What do you think will happen with the remaining five slots on the pitching staff? Who will fail, who will get traded, who is the surprise?

Next Edition: The Outfield