A Review in June of the Cincinnati Reds

Although its only June 10, its not too early to talk about the performance of the Cincinnati Reds so far in the season.
  With having reigning NL MVP Joey Votto, a more developed pitching rotation, and the addition of Edgar Renteria, the Reds were predicted by many to win the NL Central for the second year in a row. The Reds might not have lived up those expectations yet, but the team looks like it could contend for the playoffs come September.
    Cincinnati is currently 33-31 and is five games back behind St. Louis for the lead in the NL Central.
   The first player that comes to mind when thinking about the Reds is obviously Votto Although he has not consistently shown the home run power that he had last year, Votto is still having a stellar season. With 77 hits and a batting average of .336, he is proving that last year was not a fluke. For Cincinnati to be more of a threat forever, Votto has to show his power hitting ability frequently.
    Second baseman Brandon Phillips is also having a strong season in both aspects of the game. Phillips has 68 hits with a batting average of .286, but its his fielding that receives more attention. Anything hit to Phillips could be an out, and he will do whatever it takes to make that possible. Dive in the dirt, leap in the air, or even scoop up a grounder and toss it between it legs, if its a possible play Phillips can do it, which is why he is a strong candidate for a golden glove at the second baseman position. Phillips is also leading all NL second baseman in all-star voting.
    If any Reds player is having a dominant season, it is definitely right fielder Jay Bruce. Bruce has been a monster for Cincinnati which is why he was voted NL Player of the Month in May. With a batting average of .295, 70 hits, and 17 home runs, Bruce could quite possibly be an NL MVP Candidate if he continues this type of season. For the Reds to be successful, he too has to play tough and healthy for the whole season.
    The obvious weakness about Cincinnati is its pitching. The team has no ace, and is extremely inconsistent in all parts of its pitching roster.
   Johnny Cueto is the only starting pitching who has an ERA less than three (1.93), but has a record of 3-2. Mike Leake is too busy stealing clothes from Macy's to be focused on his pitching. Although he does have a respectable record of 5-2, his ERA is still 4.63. Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez, and Travis Wood also could be solid pitchers, but one outing they look great, and others they look worse than a little leaguer. For the Reds to win games, dependable starting pitching is a must, and this is something that the team lacks.
   Relief and closing pitching for the team also has been disappointing. Aroldis Chapman might have the fastest pitch ever in the MLB (106 mph) but he still lacks control and cannot be counted on day in and out. Closer Francisco Cordero still blows saves time to time (remember the Chicago Cubs game?) and Carlos Fisher is flat out terrible in both his pitching and throwing the ball to second base. If any relief pitcher has looked good, it has to be Logan Ondrusek who has been the most consistent so far in this season.
    The Cincinnati Reds have great bats, but its pitching is what makes the team just an average team. For Cincinnati to be that playoff team it was last year, its pitching has to improve.