The "ace" of the staff is Aaron Harang. The 6'7 260 pound hoss of a pitcher has had multiple 15+ win seasons in his career despite a lack of offense behind him. From '05 through '07 Harang posted 3 straight seasons of sub-4 ERA. Harang's consistency and ability to stare down opposing teams best pitchers will be key to the Reds' success.
The other veteran leader on the staff comes in the form of half pitcher half rock star Bronson Arroyo. Last year Arroyo had his best season since signing with Cincy in 2006 posting an ERA of 3.84 and winning 15 games. At this point I would like to thank the Red Sox for giving us a consistent starter and general good guy in exchange for Willy Mo-Bacon-Please Pena. With 3 complete games and 2 shutouts last season Arroyo showed he can be an excellent number 2.
Now we look at the "young talent" section of the starting rotation. Or as they call it the joven sección de talento. Johnny Cueto posted an 11-11 record with a 4.41 ERA in his second season with the Reds. What Cueto possesses in a live arm he lacks in a steady motion. Much like many other Dominican pitchers, Cueto can absolutely bring it when he wants to. Mix in that speed with plenty of action on his other pitches and the skills and talent are there to be an ace. The real question is not whether he can do it, but rather how often and consistently he can. If Queto can become a pitcher rather than a thrower than the Reds have a serious gem in the middle of their rotation.
Okay now reread the previous paragraph but substitute "Johnny" with "Edinson" and "Cueto" with "Volquez." Unfortunately for the Reds I'd guess that about half a season is all they will get out of Volquez as he isn't expected to return until around the All-Star break at best. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last August, Volquez has been rehabbing and trying to treat what has officially been called "elbow inflammation." Anyone who knows baseball knows that Tommy John surgery is a serious procedure. While more pitchers have undergone it than you can count, many of them have never returned to their previous form. In the case of Volquez that form was a 17-6 season with a 3.21 ERA in 2008. Consider him pitcher 1a when healthy.I am not posting a picture of Homer Bailey because I do not like him. So there. I've been hearing about him being "the next big thing" for what has to be the better part of a decade and frankly I don't care anymore. This is the season for Bailey to either put up or shut up. Bailey did show the potential everyone has been seeing for years toward the end of last season. Starting on August 18th he pitched 9 games in a row where he improved his ERA each outing taking it from a 7.53 down to a 4.53. If he can put those type of performances together for an entire season he will earn a picture in a Cintucky Blog.
As for the rest of the staff, you've already heard about recent addition Aroldis Chapman who I think will pitch in the majors sometime this season, just not anytime soon. Other options for the 5th starting spot until Volquez returns are 32 year old journey man Justin Lehr, or lefty Matt Maloney who in 7 starts with the Reds last year posted a 2-4 record with a 4.87 ERA.
I expect Maloney to be the 5th starter when the season begins and that does worry me a bit, but looking at the rest of the rotation it is easy to see the ability is there. If everyone pitches to their potential this staff can lead the team to the playoffs. With Harang and Arroyo out in front, and the young guns improving as they should the Reds appear to have a pitching staff that could and should be the backbone of the 2010 team.
Stay tuned for a look into the Reds outfielders....
Brian "not even going to acknowledge the ridiculousness of trading Harang" Reinhart
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