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Spring Postcard : Caon youthful Reds follow in '08 Rays' footsteps?
젊은 레드 머신들은 '08시즌의 레이스'를 따라갈까?

Three observations

1. The Reds may be the closest thing the NL has in 2009 to the '08 Rays.
1. 올해 NL에서 레즈는 '08시즌의 레이스'와 가장 가까운 팀이 될 수있다.

So says Jonny Gomes, the no-longer mohawked utility player who is a mon-roster invite to Reds camp after spending his entire career with Tampa Bay, including a front-row seat to the Rays' improbable World Series run of a year ago.

"This feels similar to me," Gomes said, even nothing that the core of young talent in Cincinnati might surpass that of the Rays. "The difference is we've already got a foot in the door here. We just need someone to light the wick and we'll be on fire. But how to do that is the million dollar question that all 32 teams are trying to answer."
작년까지 레이스에서 뛴 자니 곰즈(Janny Gomes)는 "매우 비슷해요. 신시내티의 젊은 유망주들이 레이스를 능가할지도 모릅니다. 차이점이라면 우리는 이제 겨우 발을 디뎠고, 활활 타오를 누군가가 필요할 뿐입니다. 그렇지만, 그런 문제는 32개팀이 가지고 있는 동일한 질문이랍니다."

Even if the number of big league clubs is an overstatement (there are 30, not 32), Gomes' comparison to Tampa Bay may not be. Like the Rays, the Reds gave little indication a year ago that they could be poised for a big leap in 2008. Cincinnati went just 74-88 last season, compared to Tampa Bay's 66-96 mark before their breakout season. Like the Rays, the Reds' clubhouse is a loose one, populated by still-rising players (and absent veteran stars with big egos or significant clubhouse distractions). Most importantly, like the Rays, they have a potentially potent mixture of several quality young arms in the starting rotation and power bats in the middle of the lineup. The rotation boasts All-Star Edinson Volquez (24), plus righties Johnny Cueto (23) and -- if he wins the fifth spot -- Homer Bailey (22). Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion each have 30-homer power and will populate the heart of the Reds order in a park built to score runs. As evidence of their young talent, nine Reds players left camp to play in the World Baseball Classic, the most of any team in the division. And unlike the Rays, the Reds play in a much more manageable division. Even though Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty concedes the Cubs are heavy favorites in the NL Central, every other spot in the division is up for grabs.
곰즈가 팀 수를 잘못말했군요. 레이스와 마찬가지로 레즈는 작년에 약간의 암시를 줬다. 레즈는 지난 시즌 74-88을 기록했는데, 이는 레이스가 브레이크 아웃 전 시즌(07시즌)의 66-96과 비슷하다. 레이스와 마찬가지로 레즈의 클럽하우스 구성원들의 대부분은 유망주들이 많이 있다.(혹은 베테랑 스타들의 부재나 클럽하우스의 산만함) 가장 중요한 점은 레이스와 동일하게 레즈의 선발투수와 라인업에는 유망주들이 득실거리고 있다는 점이다. 로테이션에는 에디슨 볼퀘즈(Edinson Volquez), 쟈니 쿠에토(Johnny Cueto)와 5선발 후보군인 호머 베일리(Homer Bailey)가 있으며, 조이 보토(Joey Votto), 브랜던 필립스(Brandon Phillips), 제이 브루스(Jay Bruce), 에드윈 엔카나시온(Edwin Encarnacion)이 각각 30홈런 파워를 지니고 있으며, 레즈 라인업의 중심을 차지할 것이다. 이들이 좋은 유망주라는 증거로 레즈의 9명의 선수가 WBC를 위해 캠프를 떠났으며, 이는 중부지구 최다 수치다. 단지 레이스와 다른점이라면, 그들의 지구는 레이스보다는 쉬운 지구라는 점이다. 컵스를 쫓기에는 벅차지만, 지구 2위 정도는 해볼만하다고 레즈의 단장인 월트 자케티(Walt Jocketty)는 말했다.

2. With youth comes growing pains.
2. 유망주는 노력이 필요하다.

The Reds have just two position players in their projected starting lineup over 30 (catcher Ramon Hernandez and shortstop Jerry Hairston Jr., who incidentally were born nine days apart in May 1976). And Hairston is not a lock to keep the job if versatile prospect Todd Frazier proves ready to play later in the year. To help compensate for the inevitable errors that come from such a young club (last year the Reds finished with 114 errors, fourth-most in the majors), manager Dusty Baker has put an added emphasis on fundamentals this spring, including sliding drills and cut off throws. Baker says he wants his young club to be "great most of the time and good sometimes. Just play, learn, retain and win."
올시즌 레즈의 예상 라인업에서 단 두 명만이 30세 이상이다. 그리고 올해 말에 유망주 토드 프레이져(Todd Frazier)의 준비가 완료된다면 헤어스턴 Jr.(Jerry Hairston Jr.)의 자리는 없을 것이다. 젊은 팀들이 가지는 피할 수 없는 에러(지난 시즌 그들은 114개의 에러를 저질렀고, 이 수치는 작년 30개팀 중 4위다)를 보완하기 위해, 메이저 더스티 베이커(Dusty Baker)는 스캠에서 기본을 강조했다. 물론 기본이라는 것은 슬라이딩 훈련과 중계플레이같은 것이다. 베이커는 그들의 플레이를 즐기길 바란다. 단순히 플레이하면서 배우고, 배운것을 기억하며 승리하길 바란다.

3. If they don't go boom, their offense may go bust.
3. 만약 그들이 폭발하지 않는다면 그들은 망할 것이다.

The Reds finished seventh in the National League in home runs last year but were last in the league in both hits (1,351) and batting average (.247). Of the six holdovers from last year's team who are expected to be in the starting lineup, four hit at least 20 home runs (a fifth, Chris Dickerson, has 20-HR power but played only 31 games in the majors last year), but only one member of that quartet -- Votto -- hit higher than .261. Their two most prominent position-player acquisitions this winter may not help. Willy Taveras registered 68 steals but had just a .251 average and .308 on-base percentage, fifth lowest among leadoff hitters in the majors last year. Catcher Ramon Hernandez posted the same OBP and hit just .257. Hitting coach Brook Jacoby is not exactly a disciple of walks -- "If we get a strike to hit on the first pitch, we want our guys attacking," he said -- so he's had his team work on hitting the ball gap-to-gap this winter, partly in an effort to increase the team's chances at extra-base hits that will get runners around the bases faster than playing small ball.
작년 레즈는 NL에서 팀홈런 7위를 기록했지만, 팀안타(1351개)와 팀타율(.247)은 리그 최하위를 기록했다. 작년 20홈런 이상을 기록한 선수중에 지금은 단 4명만이 남았지만, 그들 중에 보토만이 좋은 타율을 기록했다. 올시즌 영입한 중견수 윌리 타바레스(Willy Taveras)는 68개의 도루를 성공했지만, 그의 타율(.251)과 출루율(.308)은 안습이며, 리드오프로써는 작년 최하위의 성적을 거뒀다. 포수 라몬 에르난데스(Ramon Hernandez)는 .257의 타율과 .308의 OBP를 기록했다. 타격코치 브룩 자코비(Brook Jacoby)는 물론 볼넷의 신봉자는 아니다. 그는 초구에 스트라익이 들어온다면, 우리 선수들이 타격하길 원한다. 즉, 스몰볼보다는 장타에 의존한 공격을 추구할 것이다.

Not done yet

Both David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes are 39 years old, making them the oldest players on the team by almost six years, and the only ones who were alive when the Big Red Machine was born in 1970. Both debuted in the majors in 1991 and both will be relied upon as the Reds' primary set-up men. Weathers, who has pitched for nine teams, has finally found a home in Cincinnati, where he has chugged away for the past four seasons, the longest continuous stretch with one club in his 18-year career. Last season, he posted a 3.25 ERA, his best since 2003. Rhodes, meanwhile, signed a two-year contract to make the Reds his seventh big league team. After a rough 2006 in which he amassed a 5.32 ERA and 1.686 WHIP, Rhodes missed the entire 2007 season due to Tommy John surgery, but he rebounded in 2008 to post a 2.04 ERA (including 0.68 after a midseason trade to the Marlins) and 1.245 WHIP in 61 games with Seattle and Florida. The Reds' bullpen was already solid, ranking third in the NL in ERA (3.81). With closer Francisco Cordero recovered from foot surgery, it could be the best in the league in '09.
데이비드 웨더스(David Weathers)와 아서 로즈(Arthur Rhodes)는 39살이며, 빅 레드 머신(Big Red Machine)이 탄생한 1970년에 이미 그들은 존재했다. 그 둘은 1991년에 데뷔했으며, 팀은 그들이 셋업맨이 되어서 팀에 도움이 되어주길 바라고 있다.
웨더스는 지난시즌 3.25 ERA를 기록했는데, 이는 03시즌이후 최고이다. 로즈는 오프시즌에 팀과 2년딜을 했으며, 06시즌 삽질과 07시즌 토미 존 서저리를 뒤로하고 작년 리바운딩(2.04 ERA & 1.245 WHIP)했다.
레즈의 불펜은 이미 솔리드하고, 그들의 뒤에는 마무리 프란시스코 코데로(Francisco Cordero)가 있다.

Sleeper
다크호스

When he came to Cincinnati last year, Nick Masset was just another guy included in the trade that sent Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox. But Jocketty had long coveted Masset, who impressed scouts with his 6-foot-4 frame and live arm. He turned several heads in the early days of camp and worked himself into the discussion to be the team's fifth starter, a spot seemingly reserved for top prospect Homer Bailey. Masset has worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen in his brief career (75 of 77 appearances have been in relief), so even if he doesn't start, he should have an impact on the club as a middle reliever.
작년 그리피 주니어(Ken Griffey Jr.)의 딜로 건너온 닉 마셋(Nick Masset)은 그저 딜에 포함된 선수에 불과했다. 하지만, 자케티는 오래동안 그를 갈구해왔으며, 그는 6-4의 좋은 신체조건과 어깨로 스카우터로부터 좋은 인상을 받았다. 스캠에서 좋은 모습을 보여줌으로써 스스로 5선발의 가치를 높였다. 마셋의 메이저경력은 주로 릴리프로 나왔기때문에 그가 올시즌 5선발이 되지 않더라도, 그는 미들 릴리프로써 클럽에 기여할 것이다.

Major League Portion:

The Pirates picked 4th, and chose LHP Donald (Donnie) Veal from the Cubs.  Veal is a 24-year-old from Mississippi, 6' 4", 215 lb.  He's been a starter in the Cubs' organization, steadily working his way up the ladder, with Rookie and Low A levels in 2005, A and A+ in 2006, then stuck at AA Tennessee for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.  In those two years, he accumulated a 13-20 record and a 4.77 ERA.  He pitched 130.1 innings in 2007 and 145.1 innings in 2008.  He had 5 walks/9 innings in both season, with 9 strikeouts/9 innings in '07 and 7.6 strikeouts/9 innings in '08.  Veal continued to have control issues in the Arizona Fall League, as a reliever for the Mesa Solar Sox.  He made 10 appearances, for a total of 9 innings, but did not earn any wins, losses, or saves.  He gave up 12 runs (10 earned) on 9 hits, with 13 walks, and 9 strikeouts.  Veal also had tough stuff to deal with  off the field, with the deaths of both his parents.

The Pirates, and specifically Neal Huntington, are clearly aware of Veal's control issues.  He will be hooked up very closely with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan and minor league pitching coordinator Troy Buckley in Spring Training, and maybe in January's mini-camp also.  The idea is that he'll be a reliever for the Pirates, and if it works out, great -- and if it doesn't, well, it was a good try.
05년 컵스 2라운드(전체 68번)로 지명된 다니엘(도니) 빌을 벅스가 룰 5 드레프트로 데려왔다. 그는 컵스 조직에서 점점 더 그의 가치를 증명하고 있었다. 작년과 올해 그는 도합 13승 20패 4.77ERA를 기록했으며, 07년에는 130.1이닝, 08년에는 145.1이닝을 투구했다. 그는 이 두 시즌동안 9이닝당 볼넷 허용이 5였다. 9이닝당 삼진율은 07년도에는 9였지만, 올해는 7.6으로 감소했다. 빌은 AFL에서 컨트롤에 문제점을 들었냈고, 비단 AFL에서만의 문제가 아니었다. AFL에서 그는 스타터가 아닌 릴리퍼로만 뛰었고 9이닝동안 9피안타 12실점을 허용했다.

벅스와 닐 헌팅턴 단장은 빌의 컨트롤적인 문제를 이미 알고 있으며, 그는 조 케리건 투수코치와 마이너 피칭 코디네이터인 트로이 버클리와 스프링캠프와 1월에 열리는 미니캠프에서 그 문제점(컨트롤)을 다룰 것이다. 만약 빌의 컨트롤이 잘 잡히거나, 문제점을 들어나지 않는다면 그는 좋은 릴리프가 될 것이다.
일각에서는 그는 잘되면 빅리그 2선발이고 못되면 아서 로즈(Arthur Rhodes)형의 릴리프가 되리라고 예상했으며, 룰 5 드레프트 이전에 루머에 따르면 그는 패전처리용이 될 것이라는 루머도 있었습니다만, 지금으로썬 조 케리건을 믿을 수밖에 없네요.


The Pirates lost LHP Kyle Bloom to the Tigers, as the #8 overall pick.  Bloom, a 25-year old,  was the Pirates' 5th round pick in the 2004 draft.  His progression up in the organization has been slow, having spent half of 2005, all of 2006, and all but two games of 2007 in A+ Lynchburg.  Bloom was a member of the AA Altoona club for all of 2008, where he made 22 starts and 6 relief appearances.  He pitched a total of 109.2 innings, allowing 103 hits and 57 runs (51 earned).  He walked 55 (4.5 BB/9IP) and struck out 93 (7.6 K/9IP), and batters hit .244 against him.  He finished with a 5-8 record and a 4.19 ERA.  The good news about those numbers is that he was improving the whole time.  His ERA dropped from 8.15 in April to 3.63 in June, 2.45 in July, and 3.86 in August.  His walk rate was cut in half in July and August, as his strikeout rate increased a bit.  All 5 of his wins came in July and August.

Then he went to the Hawaiian Winter League and blew them away.  In 7 starts, 30 innings, he worked a 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA, allowing 5 earned runs on 15 hits and 11 walks, with 32 strikeouts.  Batters could only manage a .144 against him.  Working above his level?  Yes, but that is probably not the whole story either.  Bloom credited his success, along with his improvement during the latter part of the regular season to better mechanics and better command of his fast ball, both contributing to more confidence in himself.
04년 피츠버그 5라운드(전체 142번)에 지명되었던 블럼은 벅스 지역언론들의 염려속에 결국 타팀에 지명되었습니다. 성장속도는 느리지만 꾸준히 발전해왔다. 08시즌 더블 A인 앨투나에서 22번의 선발과 6번의 릴리프로 109.2이닝동안 103피안타와 51자책점을 허용했으며, 9이닝당 볼넷 허용율은 4.5이고 9이닝당 삼진율은 7.6이다. 그의 자책점은 4월에 좋지 않았지만, 정상괘도로 돌아왔다.

그는 HWB에서 7선발 30이닝동안 1.50ERA를 기록했고, 11볼넷 32삼진을 기록했다. 아마 HWB의 성공은 정규시즌보다 더 좋은 커맨드와 페스트볼이 그에게 자신감을 불어넣었다고 본다.
사실 메인 언론(예를 들어 BA)에 거론되지않았지만, 헌팅턴이 단장 부임이후 첫번째 과오가 아닐까 싶을 정도입니다. 메이저리그에 좌완투수들이 많아서 좌완인 카일 블럼을 40인에 넣지않았다고 한다면 이해하겠지만, 룰 5에서 뽑은 선수도 좌완인거 보면 어떤 철학이 정립이 되지않은거 같아보입니다.


AAA Portion:

The Pirates don't appear to have lost any players in this round, but they picked up three:
SS Andres Santos from the Yankees
INF Rafael Quintero from the Indians 
RHP Gerardo Esparza from the Mariners

Both Santos and Quintero are listed as pitchers by the MiLB site, and their records show they spent 2008 in the Dominican Summer League.  Esparza is listed as a pitcher, and he pitched in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2008.  This is not at all clear to me.  I'll get back to you if I find out something that explains this.

UPDATE:
OK, they are all pitchers, according to the Pirates' site.  Santos is a lefty, and Quintero and Esparza are right-handers.

Andres Santos is a 22-year old Dominican native.  He pitched for the Yankees' Dominican Summer League team in 2008, making 13 appearances (9 starts).  His final record was 3-2 with a 1.85 ERA.  That split out to a 2-0 record and a 2.31 ERA as a reliever, and a 1-2 record with a 1.70 ERA as a starter.  He pitched a total of 48.2 innings, allowing 29 hits, 16 walks, and 49 strikeouts, and opposing batters hit .173 against him.  Santos did not allow an earned run in his last 5 appearances, which spanned 22.2 innings, and included 20 strikeouts. 

Rafael Quintero just turned 21 years old.  The Venezuelan native made 23 relief appearances for the Cleveland Indians' DSL team in 2008.  He earned 5 wins, one loss, and one save, with a 1.36 ERA.  He gave up 44 hits and 12 runs (7 earned) in 46.1 innings, with only 5 walks, and 48 strikeouts.  He must have really liked pitching on the road  -- his road record was 4-0, and his road ERA was 0.50, while his ERA at home was (a whopping) 1.91.

Gerardo Esparza is another Venezuelan native, and he also just turned 21.  Esparza spent most of his 2008 as a starter for the Mariners' Venezuelan Summer League team.  He made 13 starts and 2 relief appearances, working a 4-5 record (all as a starter), and a 1.81 ERA, plus one save.  Batters hit .198 against Esparza.  He pitched 69.2 innings, and gave up 50 hits and 22 walks, and struck out 59 batters.  The early part of the season was better for him -- he had an ERA of 0.64 in May, 1.20 in June, and 3.16 in July.  Of his 14 earned runs over the season, 8 of them came in July.
이 세 명의 선수를 왜 지명했는지 정말 헌팅턴에게 묻고 싶네요. 이 세명은 전부 루키레벨에서 올 시즌을 뛰었고, 그 레벨에서 나이가 많은 축에 해당되는 선수입니다. 즉, 기량이 부족하거나, 부상이라는 문제로 상위레벨로 진출하지못했을 가능성이 높습니다. 그런 루키레벨의 선수를 5단계나 뛰어넘는 트리플 A팀에 배치할만큼 가치있는 선수인지도 모르겠네요.
OK, they are all pitchers, according to the Pirates' site.
이 부분을 보더라도 기자조차도 이들에게 무관심하고 임펙트 없는 선수라는것이 드러나는군요.