Ok, so not quite but the Sarasota Reds are putting up some impressive team numbers. They are currently tied for first place in the league at 14-11. On the hitting side as a team they lead the league in runs, hits, doubles, RBI, slugging percentage and OPS. They are second in steals and on base percentage. As a team they have 30 steals and just 3 caught stealings. Thats incredible.

As for individual guys on the team, they have 3 of the top 4 batting average leaders in the league with (Photo: Jerry Hale) Chris Valaika (.389), Justin Turner (.384) and Drew Stubbs (.348). Stubbs leads the league in runs scored and Chris Heisey is just 1 behind him. Juan Francisco, Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey all rank in the top 5 in doubles in the league. Chris Valaika and Juan Francisco both are in the top 5 in the league in HR’s and they rank 1 and 2 in RBI. Drew Stubbs leads the league in steals. Justin Turner and Drew Stubbs are both in the top 5 in on base percentage. Chris Valaika and Drew Stubbs both rank in the top 5 in the league in slugging percentage and rank first and second in OPS.

The pitching staff on the flip side isn’t the best around. They rank in the top 5 in the league categories in just strikeouts. Hmmm maybe that Big Red Machine thing does stick a little bit. Jordan Smith and Travis Wood have pitched fine out of the rotation for the Reds. Smith ranks in the top 5 in the league in wins and innings. Wood ranks 7th in the league in strikeouts and both have ERA’s under 2.70. Out of the bullpen Ramon Geronimo has been absolutely dominant. He has pitched 13.2 innings and allowed just 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 18 batters and not allowing a run yet. Robert Manuel has also pitched well. He has thrown 7.2 innings, struck out 11 without allowing a run and posted a WHIP of 1.04.

High A roster is out now, leaving just the Bats left for the Reds to go.  Here are the guys starting out in Sarasota:

Pitchers

• Misael DeJesus
• Ramon Geronimo
• Daniel Guerrero
• Kevin Gunter
• Robert Manuel
• Ruben Medina
• Alexander Smit
• Jordan Smith
• Lee Tabor
• Camilo Vazquez
• Sean Watson
• Travis Wood

Catchers

• Chris Denove
• Eddy Rodriguez

Infielders

• Michael DeJesus
• Juan Francisco
• Jason Louwsma
• Justin Tordi
• Justin Turner
• Chris Valaika

Outfielder

• Chris Heisey
• Sean Henry
• Carson Kainer
• Luis Soto
• Drew Stubbs

Roster Make up

It has its share of expected guys, but notably missing are Rafael Gonzalez and Travis Webb. Looks like Chris Valaika is heading back over to SS after playing 2B in Hawaii. Several high draft picks on the team led by Drew Stubbs. Sean Watson and Travis Wood are both 2nd round picks, while Chris Valaika was a 3rd rounder. It will be interesting to see who gets the playing time in the outfield. Lots of competition out there for now.

Players to watch

Pitcher - Travis Wood

Coming off an arm injury last year he has been pitching very well in spring and is feeling healthy this year. He has been working on a slider as well as his curveball. He could earn a quick promotion if he shows success in Sarasota early on. Health is a concern, but all reports indicate he is feeling great. Easily the best pitching prospect on the team.

Hitter - Drew Stubbs

It was tough to not go with Francisco here, who needs to work on some big parts of his plate approach but Stubbs is the guy I went with. The FSL is known for eating hitters alive at times and Stubbs has gotten his share of flack for his professional career so far (although not from me). Last year he turned it on in the second half as he hit .303/.394/.517 over his final 250 PA. Couple that with his turf toe surgery this offseason that has him healthy for the first time in two years and I really think Stubbs could have a breakout year this season.

The rosters aren’t close to being out yet, so this is all assumption on my part on who will be on the roster. I am going to list 4 players to watch for each team (assuming they are assigned where I believe they will be assigned) and give a quick reason or two to really watch this guy.

1. Travis Wood - LHP 

Reason to watch -  Coming into 2007, Wood was one of the Reds top ranked prospects after having a successful season in Dayton. He however ran into arm problems during the season and was shut down. He is back and pitching well this spring. If Wood can pitch to his potential, he will be one more reason that the Reds can claim to have lots of depth in one of the better systems in all of baseball.

2. Todd Frazier - SS 

Reason to watch - Frazier was taken in last years supplemental first round and came onto the scene just hitting like we expected in Billings. He brings an advanced approach to the plate and should be able to handle the jump from Billings to Sarasota just fine. He won’t likely stick at SS, but will play there for now.

3. Scott Carroll - RHP

Reason to watch - Last years 3rd round pick was taken care of with kid gloves last year after being drafted. He only pitched 15 innings in Billings. He will be 23 years old this season but has quality stuff and it will be his first real test of pro ball.

4. Juan Francisco - 3B 

Reason to watch - Francisco has plenty of power at the plate and he plays a solid 3B, but there are some questions about his plate discipline and his strikeouts. If he doesn’t get his walk rate up some and try to cut down on his strikeouts, his development will be slowed. Sarasota is a big step for him, lets hope his aggressiveness has calmed a little bit and hopefully it will lead to a big season.

Yesterday I covered the Dayton Dragons and tomorrow I will cover the Chattanooga Lookouts.