Red Reposter - 3/16/09

Priming the pump for your St. Patty's pre-party:

• Johnny Cueto is happy to be back in camp, saying "This is fun, this feels better...There was a lot of pressure (at the World Baseball Classic), especially on the pitchers. For the Dominicans there was a lot of pressure to win."  Glad to have you back Johnny.
• Billy Bray seems A-OK after mending a tender hamstring for a few days.  He's had trouble staying off the DL the past few years, so let's hope he keeps pitching without incident.  I think he's gonna be a big deal out of the 'pen for us this year.
• Speaking of the bullpen, Dusty is not worried about the recent struggles of Jared Burton.  Prior to Saturday's perfect inning, he had given up 5 runs in his last 2 innings.  Dusty also coined the best nickname I've heard so far for him, saying, "Burton is very athletic and has great deception...You watch when he spreads out. He throws that glove at you and he looks like Rodan."

• JC Sulbaran, 30th round pick of the Reds last June, pitched against the USA last night for the Dutch team.  Doug takes a look at his performance with Pitch F/X.  If you didnt see it last night yourself, I can tell you the 19-year-old looks like he has a pretty bright future. 
  
• Paul Janish is looking to catch on with the Big League club this spring, even though his prospects are looking pretty dim.  He currently stands 4th on the shortstop depth chart, but all 3 guys ahead of him  (Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Keppinger, and Jerry Hairston) missed significant time last year due to injury.  If he could swing the bat just a little bit (he hit .180/.270/.250 last season in 80 ABs) I think his stellar glove would make him an average overall shortstop.  Dusty says he's been working on his hand and forearm strength to increase his bat speed.  He's probably just a utility guy in the mold of Juan Castro, but maybe he can turn into something more.  This team needs a long-term shortstop something awful.
• This survey determined that Cincinnati is the 4th Manliest city in the US.  Yawn.  How many coneys can Nashville eat at once?  Hattip to RedlegNation.
• Shysterball has an article about the A's struggles to get a new ballpark.  Apparently Oakland has stonewalled them thus far, and they are taking a peek at moving to Las Vegas.  I dont know about that.