POS

Brent has made outstanding progress since joining the Reds in 1997. Possesses good range and a powerful arm that allows him to play the left side of the infield. Tends to overthrow when he pitches, but when he hones his control, he'll be very tough to hit. Brent's hitting has seen a tremendous improvement this season. Has an excellent approach at the plate and looks to punish any ball in the strikezone. He combines this with a good eye, and is on base constantly, where he can use his good speed and judgement. Still the most intense player on the team. It's a good thing we don't have water coolers in the dugout. Member of the York Pioneers rep team. Would play 24 hours a day if we let him. On the field: Derek Jeter - New York Yankees/Todd Stottlemyre - Arizona Diamondbacks In the dugout: Paul O'Neill - New York Yankees AKA - "The Big Show" Batted - .258 (8-31)

Chantal

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

One of several rookies on the 1999 Reds, Chantal is a graduate of Rookie Ball, where a pitching machine is used in place of a pitcher. Chantal possesses fairly good physical skills. She fields grounders pretty well, and will become a good hitter in time if she swings the bat more. Chantal's throwing arm is a trifle erratic, but has shown improvement since the spring. Chantal's biggest challenge will be her concentration, which is often on everything but baseball. Also gets discouraged quickly when things don't go well for her. Needs some time to mature. Jacob Brumfield - Toronto Blue Jays AKA - "The Cannon" Batted - .042 (1-24)

Cindy

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

In her second season as a Red, Cindy has taken to pummelling the ball all over the field. One of the most feared hitters in the league, she hits often and with power. Combines that with solid defence at first base, and has begun to take a turn behind the plate as well. Cindy has a good arm and has pitched a few innings, but is somewhat inconsistent in her delivery. Cindy has an outstanding attitude. This spring, Cindy successfully tried out for the York Pioneers all-star team. Jeff Bagwell - Houston Astros AKA - "The Franchise" Batted - .395 (17-43)

Dasvinder

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

As a Giant last season, Dasvinder ended a playoff game and our season by tagging Brent out at third base. We've since forgiven him. Dasvinder is a well-rounded and capable player. He makes a lot of contact at the plate and has enough speed to leg out infield hits. Dasvinder has a strong arm, and can combine good velocity and control, making him an effective pitcher. However, his concentration is not always there, on the mound or in the field, and so consistency can be a problem. Clever, but sometimes too smart for his own good, as he is often too worried about what he's saying to hear anyone else. Leads the league in talking. On the bases, Dasvinder is fast, and steals a lot of bases, but often does so without heeding his basecoaches. Dasvinder will move to Pee Wee in 2000. Tony Fernandez - Toronto Blue Jays AKA - "Crazylegs" Batted - .310 (9-29)

Elvis

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Diminutive rookie with some decent skills. As a fielder, Elvis is mobile and has pretty good range, although his inexperience makes it tough for him to read plays, especially fly balls. Elvis is becoming a good hitter as he becomes more aggressive, and still draws a large number of walks. Elvis has good speed, and listens to his basecoaches. Elvis' 8 lb attack poodle "Mitch" has provided some comedic distractions at practice, having invaded the infield on occasion. Elvis does not own blue suede spikes. He will move to Pee Wee in 2000. Rickey Henderson - New York Mets AKA - "Late As Usual" Batted - .045 (1-22)

Jake

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

An ex-Philly, Jake's made rapid progress since the spring. Quickly becoming a regular second baseman, and developing a good grasp of the fundamentals, such as backing up throws and being an effective cutoff man. Heady player, will look before he makes a play, and generally makes good decisions. Appears to have attended the Dasvinder School of Baserunning as he gave himself the green light early in the year, but has been heeding his coaches recently. Gained confidence at the plate all season long and was rewarded with some late season hits. Swung the bat very well in the playoffs. Tony Womack - Arizona Diamondbacks Batted - .138 (4-29)

Joseph

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Joseph's steady progress at the plate continued in his third season as a Red. Where once he would bail out of the batter's box on almost every pitch, he has settled down and started to take his cuts. The results have been numerous quality at-bats. Now fights off pitches, and has started to deliver base hits. Rarely swings out of the strikezone. In his last at-bat with the Reds, Joseph commemorated the occasion with a ball he smoked to the fence in right field. Worked hard and became a solid hitter. Not lightning fast, but smart on the basepaths. Provides solid glovework at third base. Quiet and unassuming. Outstanding attitude. Co-winner of the 1999 Coaches Choice Award. Will move to Pee Wee in 2000. Ron Coomer - Minnesota Twins Batted - .143 (5-35)

Julian

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

POS

The YBA's Rookie of the Year in 1999, Julian has picked up where he left off last season. Takes ill-advised Ken Griffey-like cuts sometimes, but is uncanny in his ability to dump the ball into left field, or chop out base hits. Outstanding baserunner, very fast and picks his spots well. Slick fielder at shortstop and becoming a good receiver behind the plate. Julian has struggled on the mound this season, but the coaching staff is confident that he will come around by playoff time. Intelligent player, always gives an excellent effort. A member of the York Pioneers rep squad. Also a star soccer player. Omar Vizquel - Cleveland Indians/Kelvim Escobar - Toronto Blue Jays AKA - "The People's Shortstop" Batted - .654 (17-26)

Katherine

Bats: Right

Throws: Left

POS

Another rookie-ball graduate, Katherine is in her first season with the Reds. As with many young players, her hitting took a step back when she was hit by a pitch. She's regaining her confidence slowly, but has made encouraging progress in practice off live pitching. Certainly has the tools to be a good hitter. Alert in the outfield, Katherine gets to the ball and relays it quickly. Has a strong arm, although her throwing mechanics aren't consistent, a trait which seems to be common among southpaws. Katherine is a good baserunner and has very good speed. Smart, good attitude. The first Red ever to dabble in ballet. Will look for her first hit in 2000. Mark Kotsay - Florida Marlins AKA - "The Big Kat"

Kevin

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Kevin may be the most improved player on the team. Now rifles the ball, whether across the infield or over the plate. Kevin's glovework has become rock-solid, as he ranges everywhere to come up with the ball. At the plate, Kevin has started to turn the choppers that he beat out last season into line drives and extra base hits. On the mound, Kevin's control has come a long way since 1998 and he has emerged as one of our top starters. Heady baserunner with good wheels. Still heads to his weekend retreat regularly, which led to Joel dubbing him "Kottage Boy" at last year's trophy ceremony. (Yeah, we know it's spelled with a C. It's an alliteration thing.) Co-winner of the 1999 Coaches Choice Award. Will move to Pee Wee in 2000. John Smoltz - Atlanta Braves/Nomar Garciaparra - Boston Red Sox Batted - .590 (23-39)

Mike

Bats:

Throws:

POS

Mike's made steady improvements in his second year with the team. A good fielder who is seeing more of the infield this season, Mike brings a positive attitude and a willingness to learn with him to the park. Could stand to be more aggressive at the plate, but has started to swing more regularly, and as a result, he makes more contact. Is also a standout hockey player. F.P. Santangelo - San Francisco Giants Batted - .133 (2-15)

Mike

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

A fine player in just his sophomore season with the team. Has become an excellent defensive catcher. Blocks a ton of balls and prevents opposing runners from moving up. Also wields a great arm, and has disappointed many a would-be base stealer. Has impressed especially by squeezing the ball and making tags at the plate, a tough skill for young players. As a hitter, Mike has a great deal of potential, and has power to right field, but hasn't found consistency yet this season. He's still swinging away, so it's only a matter of time. Has pitched a few innings, and not looked out of place. Great attitude. Jim Leyritz - San Diego Padres AKA - "Hitman" Batted - .406 (13-32)

Mike

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

The third in our Mike-triumvirate, this Mike is also in his second year with the Reds. Best asset is an outstanding throwing arm. Solid glovework allows him to play second base. As a hitter, Mike has gotten used to taking a boatload of walks, which he does, but the coaching staff would like him to swing more. Once he's on base, he may be our fastest player and is smart, so he doesn't make many mistakes. (Although there was that one time he missed home plate and third base on the same play.) Will move to Pee Wee in 2000. Chad Curtis - New York Yankees Batted - .059 (1-17)

Raja

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

A rookie outfielder who had never picked up a glove prior to this season, Raja has made decent progress this season. His catching ability is pretty good, as he was partnered early in the year with some of our harder throwers, and thus learned to catch for the sake of self preservation. Raja's throwing needs work, but is fairly accurate. At the plate, Raja is inconsistent, but has looked great at times, taking good cuts and fouling a few pitches off. Suffers from occasional lapses in concentration. Jacob Brumfield - Toronto Blue Jays AKA - "Spaceman" Batted - .050 (1-20)

Rakib

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Another young and inexperienced player who has improved steadily since the spring. Rakib's glovework has progressed to the point where he will begin to see time in the infield. Although he hasn't been rewarded by making contact yet, Rakib takes a good approach at the plate and is unafraid to swing the bat. Has a good throwing arm, but seems unwilling to let loose, preferring instead to soft-toss the ball. Has a good deal of potential and takes instruction well. After collecting one hit in the regular season, Rakib lit up Mets pitching in the playoffs, going 3-5 with 3 big RBIs. Jose Guillen - Pittsburgh Pirates AKA - "The Rocket" Batted - .056 (1-18)

Robin

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

POS

Yet another raw rookie, Robin has surprised this season, making some fine plays in the field and hitting well above expectations. Has the ability to make the throw from third base, and has made great improvements on his fielding of ground balls, so he may start to see some innings there. Had a big two-hit performance against the Mets and should show some power once he starts to hit regularly. Will move to Pee Wee in 2000. Shane Spencer - New York Yankees AKA - "The Rock" Batted - .227 (5-22)

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