Kuzul

Unless you gave up on the Reds after their 4-8 start, you are well aware that this team has hit a stride.

Not only have we seen the usual heroes like Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce, we’re also starting to also see a bit of a youth movement.

Devin Mesoraco has found a little pop in his bat and young guys in the pen like JJ Hoover are joining in on the fun, but the one name who stands out over all these young men is third baseman Todd Frazier.

Frazier, who has earned the nickname “The Toddfather,” is on a roll and fits in very well with this Reds team. With the injuries to Scott Rolen and Miguel Cairo, Frazier has gotten his opportunity and has run with it for miles.

The issue at hand is when or if Rolen returns to Cincinnati, how does Reds manager Dusty Baker use these two? Better question: will he continue to be Dusty and favor his veterans?

What I was referring to is it’s no secret Baker loves his veterans on the field. Sometimes it works out—example: Ryan Hanigan getting more starts than Devin Mesoraco—and then we see some tough ones, like the Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey scenario.

According to baseballreference.com, Rolen has had 101 plate appearances where he is 16-for-92 (.174 AVG) with two home runs, 11 RBI, seven BB and a .238 on-base percentage.

Frazier, on the other hand, coming into Tuesday’s game had 81 plate appearances where he is 20-for-76 (.263) with five home runs, 11 RBI, five BB and a .297 on-base percentage—oh, and so far through five innings in tonight’s game is 2-for-2 with a double, triple, two RBI and a run scored.

We’ve all wondered before if Baker believes in playing the hot hand or just prefers to have the guys who have been there before.

Baker at one point recently said that he felt Rolen was looking good coming off the bench…hmmm.

I’m not intending on bashing either Baker or Rolen here by any means, but we can’t deny that Frazier is a big part of this team’s recent success. He may not have the glove that Rolen has, but he is a fairly decent fielder also.

I think it’s time the Reds continue to play their future, and Frazier is in fact the future at the hot corner. What are your thoughts?

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When sportswriters discuss the Reds bullpen, Bray, Masset, Chapman and Cordero are the names that normally come up.

One other name that is starting to catch attention, however, is Jordan Smith.

Jordan is a interesting story if you’re not familiar with his name.

A 6’4″ pitcher who skipped time in Triple-A at Louisville, before making his debut with the Reds, he’s really become an exciting pitching prospect.

Coming into this season, Smith got a slot on the Opening Day roster, filling in for Jared Burton as he does his time on the Disabled List, recovering from injury.

Jordan only lasted two-thirds of an inning and threw a balk.

However, in his four appearances since that outing, he has honestly looked as if he has ice in his veins.

Take tonight’s game against the San Diego Padres, for example.

Smith came into a three-to-two game after starter Edinson Volquez was throwing nothing but heat—and he burned his opposition.

Pitching one and one-third of an inning, Smith retired all four batters that he faced, including a very clutch strike out before being replaced by lefty specialist Bill Bray.

Not bad for a guy who was supposed to start the season in Louisville.

Now, I’m not saying the guy is a phenom by any means, but there is no doubt that Smith can pitch. Reds.com reports Smith’s stat line so far is at a 1.42 ERA through six and a third innings pitched. 

With the exciting young pitching talent of the Reds, maybe it’s time Jordan Smith gets his name mentioned.

The only question is, when Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Jared Burton all are healthy, is Jordan Smith still on the Reds’ roster or is there simply not enough room for him at this time?

What do you think?

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For the second year in a row, Travis Wood enters a three-man race for the last two spots in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation. Wood is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and is preparing to take another step in becoming a solid pitcher.

Wood, the 24-year-old pitcher, seems to play with more experience than his age. His Major League debut was at Chicago in Wrigley Field where he threw seven innings of two-run baseball.

Coming off of this start, Wood picked up a lot of momentum including an outstanding outing in Philadelphia giving up just one hit in nine innings pitched. Travis seemed to have Ice in his veins and really picked up his performance against postseason contenders, including getting his first Major League Home Run in a much needed division win against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Adding three and one thirds innings pitched in game one of the NLDS in Philadelphia, Wood now knows what it takes to contribute to a winning Baseball team, and help the Reds compete for consecutive National League Central Division titles.

With impressive control and the ability to keep his team in close ball games, expect Wood to become a big part of the Reds 2011 rotation, perhaps even the Ace of the rotation in the near future.

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