2007 Reds Projected Lineup

2007 Cincinnati Reds

Batting Order

1. RF Ryan Freel
2. 2B Brandon Phillips
3. CF Ken Griffey Jr.
4. LF Adam Dunn
5. 3B Edwin Encarnacion
6. 1B Scott Hatteberg/Jeff Conine
7. C David Ross
8. SS Alex Gonzalez

Barring Freel somehow losing his job to Josh Hamilton, the top of Cincinnati's order seems set. Griffey will almost surely hold on to the third spot despite looking more like a fifth- or sixth-place hitter last year, when he batted .252. The possibility exists that Encarnacion will hit fourth ahead of Dunn, separating the left-handed hitters. If that happens, Hatteberg would probably be dropped below Ross. Griffey's hand and wrist are still bothering him even though he's now 11 weeks removed from suffering the break. He'll be in the lineup on Opening Day, but little should be expected early on. Let someone else take a chance on him.

Rotation

1. Bronson Arroyo
2. Aaron Harang
3. Eric Milton
4. Kyle Lohse

5th spot battle:

Elizardo Ramirez is the leader for No. 5, but not a lock. He will be tested by Kirk Saarloos, Matt Belisle, Paul Wilson, Bobby Livingston and rookie Homer Bailey.

Closer: David Weathers, Mike Stanton

The Reds don't have a clear-cut closer and appear to be leaning towards using a committee. Eddie Guardado, last year's closer who underwent "Tommy John" elbow surgery, won't be back until midseason. That means a closer must be found among Weathers, Todd Coffey, Stanton and Bill Bray.