Fansided

Cincinnati Reds 2015 season preview and predictions

By Robby Sabo

Jun 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier (21) in the on-deck circle against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier (21) in the on-deck circle against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 29, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) looks on during the ninth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 29, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) looks on during the ninth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Players to Watch

  1. 1B Joey Votto
  2. OF Jay Bruce
  3. OF Billy Hamilton

Part of the reason Jocketty didn’t force any action over the past several months is definitely party due to his sluggers all coming up with epic failing seasons in 2014.

The face of the franchise in Joey Votto didn’t just struggle, he completely fell off a cliff. His six home runs and 23 runs batted in were due to the fact that he only played in 62 games.

Votto battled injuries all year long, and now has only played in 335 games out of a possible 486 during the last three seasons. They guy was once considered one of the best hitters and surest things in baseball is suddenly now on the hot seat to perform.

Same goes for Jay Bruce.

To begin his career, Buce smashed six consecutive 20 plus homer seasons and three 30 plus heading into last year. In 2014 Bruce hit a miserable .217 while only clubbing 18 home runs.

If Votto and Bruce are going to be counted on to regain their usual form, then Billy Hamilton is going to need to escalate his hitting.

It’s no secret that Hamilton is one of the more explosive players in baseball. Just ask fantasy baseball guys who continue to draft him based on potential instead of reality.

His 56 stolen bases from a year ago were second in the bigs to only Dee Gordon of the Los Angeles Dodgers. If only Hamilton can improve upon his meager .250 batting average and .292 on base percentage, he’d be a perennial all-star.

Next: Keys for Success

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