Greetings from Goodyear!

View from the Outfield in Goodyear Ballpark

What up ya'll! It's bright, sunny, and a comfortable 77 degrees out here in Goodyear, Arizona, where I have the great pleasure of seeing the Reds play for four days, and catch a game between the Rangers and the Athletics. Hopefully it isn't too cold back in the Midwest, but I will be back to the daily grind of school soon enough, unfortunately. Over the course of my days out here, I'll give a quick rundown of each ballgame, with some observations, and maybe some other spring training stuff. Other than this week, I will not cover any more spring training games, I promise. If I do, I feel I'll only be wasting everyone's time, since this is definitely not the regular season, as evidenced by Sunday's game. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying this out here.

Johnny Cueto

On Sunday, Johnny Cueto looked like he was in mid-season form, easily mowing through the Chicago Cubs' lineup. Granted, this is spring, and the Cubs had a split squad day, but they still had five of their every day starters in there. He allowed only an infield hit and a walk in three innings of work, and never seemed to struggle with his command. Once again, it's only spring, but Cueto looked very much determined to not let his brand new contract hang over his head.

Francisco Cordero

As for those who followed Cueto, they did their jobs as well. Combined, they only gave up one more hit in the final six innings. So, the Reds held the Cubs to a total of 2 hits in a 10-0 rout. Francisco Cordero looked excellent in his perfect inning of work, with a nasty slider and a fastball that had the catcher's glove popping. Jared Burton followed with a perfect inning of work in his attempt to make the club again. Remember, a few years ago, he was a dominant setup man for David Weathers, before suffering a series of lat injuries that left him unable to find control of his cutter. Daniel Ray Herrera and Carlos Fisher both pitched perfect innings, too, in their bids to make the club in what is a deep and competitive group for the bullpen. Daryl Thompson also worked an inning, and struggled with his command. Maybe one day he can find the stuff that made him look so promising in that start against the Yankees in New York. Rounding out the pitching staff was young lefty Donnie Joseph, who throws in the mid-90's with good offspeed stuff and could be a closer in the future.

Miguel Cairo digs in for an at bat

As for the offense, there was plenty of it, starting at the top of the lineup. Edgar Renteria went 2 for 3 and scored two runs while filling in for Brandon Phillips at second base. Paul Janish, who is trying to fight off Renteria for the shortstop job, went 2 for 2 and drilled a pair of singles to center and right center. The ball sounded great coming of his bat, and he looks like he may be able to nail down the job in the spring. If he hits .260+, then there is no reason that Renteria should start over him. Dave Sappelt, who I mentioned back in November here, is now hitting a robust .462 after another single. This guy may very well win a spot on the club, and is likely the replacement for Jonny Gomes next year. Juan Francisco, who is fighting to be Scott Rolen's backup, drilled a double and drove in three runs. Lastly, Zack Cozart looked strong again in his bid to make the club, and possibly even supplant Janish as shortstop, with a big homer to left. He's hitting .455 this spring and, if he doesn't make the club, will be up this year at some point.

Today, I'll be checking out the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark. Homer Bailey is on tap to start against Yovani Gallardo, with Mike Leake, Nick Masset, Bill Bray, and Aroldis Chapman all to follow. Hopefully Votto, Rolen, Gomes, Stubbs, Bruce, and Phillips will all be in the lineup tomorrow. The game is on Fox Sports Ohio at 3:05 ET, so check it out if you get the chance! Should be a good ball game. Hopefully we will see many post-game celebrations like the following in the year to come.