The Reds seemingly have a very young 40 man roster.  Currently 7 members of the 40 man roster have not seen the light of chartered flights.  These players include LeCure, Manual, Fisher, Maloney, Tantum, Alonso, and Francisco.  

Of the players listed about probably Fisher, and Maloney have the best chance of being called up next year, and maybe Lecure.

We all know Maloney's story he could be the next Tom Glavine or Jimmy Anderson, although will likely fall somewhere in between.  He has decent minor league numbers, but weak stuff, and a fastball that couldn't have knock down Pope John Paul in 2003. 

Fisher is a hard throwing righty.  He put up good numbers as a starter in the low minor leagues, but struggled some in AA, was converted to a reliever, promoted to AAA, and posted a 1.04 ERA in 17 AAA innings, including a pedestrian WHIP of 1.33, 21 K's, and 9 BB's, but he also did not give up a home run.  He has given up 23 home runs in 426 professional innings, one every 18.1 innings, that will serve him well in Great American.  His career walk rate is probably about average to above average he walks a hitter every 3.15 innings.  Plus his K rate has gone up with the move to the bullpen, (small sample size). If he stays healthy and some of the guys in Cincinnati falter or get hurt Fisher could help out in mid summer.

Sam Lecure is a 24 year old starter, who spent all of last year in AA.  He had a rough start but ended up putting up a 3.42 ERA over 155 innings in 27 starts.  He struck out 128 men and walked 58 last season, which is a nice clip.  He may be a nice mid level starting pitcher in a couple of years, but he stands to spend his 25th summer in Louisville, and maybe could be a late season call up if there are injuries, or trades (I could see Harang and/or Arroyo leaving if next year is a bust but they are performing well).  Lecure will start the year in AAA.

Robert Manuel is a 24 year old reliever, who spent most of last season in Chattanooga.  He also threw 4 games in Sarasota and once in Louisville.  I honestly had know idea who he was until I looked over the 40 man roster, I see he started professional baseball in the Mets organization in 2005, and he came to Cincinnati at some point in that off season.  I have no idea how.  Doug Grey seems to think highly of Manuel, giving him the relief pitcher of the month award for both June and July of 2008.  In AA he threw 77 innings over 47 appearances, posted an ERA of 1.40 and a WHIP of .81.  He struck out 92 batters and only walked 15.  That is pretty impressive.  He also only allowed 2 home runs.  In his 302 career innings he has only walked 50 men, and has struck out 290 and allowed 16 home runs.  I am assuming he is a power pitcher, perhaps a power sinker-baller, but I am not privy to his ground ball numbers, and I have not seen him pitch, or heard of him until well now.  He will start 2009 in AAA, and could be in the same boat as Fisher, but may have a higher ceiling, he numbers are pretty impressive, and his age is average for his level.

Edit-The Reds got Manuel for Dave Williams.

Craig Tatum is 25 year old catcher who spent the balk of last season in AA where he posted an OPS of .715 but in 10 AAA games he only posted an OPS of .354 (small sample size).  He seems to be ticketed as a back up catcher if he makes it to the big leagues, he hopefully won't be a major factor next year.

No need to write about Alonso or Francisco.

The Reds also have about 8 or 9 (if you count Bailey) players with very limited major league experience and are still unknown quantities.  Herrera, Ramirez, Roenickie, Thompson, Castillo, Hanigan, Janish, Rosales, and Dickerson and saw some time in Cincinnati last year.

The players listed all could contribute something, but a few of them probably will be out of baseball in a few years.

Herrera has great minor league numbers and struggled in Cincinnati.  He is a screwball artist if I am not mistaken.  My bet is he never really makes anything of his limited abilities and is a AAAA player, but he was very kind to give an RR interview and I am pulling for him.

Ramon Ramirez was an interesting case.  He looked pretty good in his 27 late season innings, but it is a small sample size.  He made his professional debut at age 21, and has put up solid but not eye popping numbers throughout his whole pro career.  His stuff isn't great, but it isn't bad, he could make a decent middle relief, or if he hits his ceiling a solid low-mid rotation type.  He is a "polished pitcher who just knows how to pitch".

Roenicke has a great arm, and could be an excellent reliever.  He is a little old, but he didn't make his professional debut until he was 23.  Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto aren't even 23 yet.

Thompson is a guy Bowden though he was tricking Cincinnati into taking.  He came as a rehab case, and his shown plus stuff, but needs more polish.  I am not sure if he will make it as a starter with his history of shoulder problems but he could become an excellent reliever.

Castillo was a part of the Dunn trade.  There isn't really much to see here.

Rosales is a career utility man.  He is an okay hitter, but will never but anything more, maybe in a best case scenario he is the next Lenny Harris.

Paul Janish is a slick fielding shortstop, who just can't hit.  He is a defensive replacement.

There is really no need to discuss Dickerson or Hanigan.  I think Dickerson will be a solid outfielder, and could be a stop gap for a few years.

In conclussion I am impressed with the young relievers on the roster, and not all that impressed with the positions who aren't Alonso, Francisco, or Dickerson.