Sunday, January 09, 2000
Young eager to play wherever they say
REDS INSIDER
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The offseason's potential brushback pitches haven't shaken Dmitri Young.
The Reds switch-hitter doesn't know what position he'll play. His name appeared in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade rumors. He faces possible salary arbitration.
Any of these events and non-events might upset many players. Young, however, sounded as calm and good-natured as ever when he addressed his situation recently.
Though Young will occupy an outfield corner, his position probably will be determined by Dante Bichette's defensive aptitude. If manager Jack McKeon decides that Bichette can perform suitably in right field, which interests the new cleanup hitter, Young will play left, a spot he held in 1998. Should Bichette feel more comfortable in left, Young will return to right, where he started 67 games last year.
Said Young jokingly, “I'm the guy that gets shifted around. I feel like one of those chess pieces. One day I will be king.”
Turning serious, Young said that his position isn't an issue. This is the same player who moved among first base, third base and the outfield while developing in the St. Louis Cardinals system.
“That's one good thing about me. I'm versatile,” said Young, who committed only four outfield errors last season after being charged with 10 in 1998.
Young also accepted the speculation that he would be tucked in the package of Reds that the Seattle Mariners would receive in exchange for Griffey.
“You know what? It didn't bother me at all,” Young said. “It's nice to feel important enough to be mentioned as part of a big deal.”
Young reasoned that joining the Mariners wouldn't have been so disastrous. The southern California native would have returned to the West Coast. He also would have relished playing at brand-new Safeco Field.
But Young shares the enthusiasm that binds the Reds' youthful nucleus.
“The organization here is great,” said Young, 26. “Coming into the millenium, this team can really do some things in years to come if we can keep the same core of guys intact.”
That core will grow in value this year as nine Reds, including Young, become eligible for salary arbitration, the process that assures hefty raises. Averaging .306 with 78 doubles in the last two seasons has enhanced Young's earning potential.
But he remained focused on what enriches players the most.
“I'm not concerned about the dollars,” Young said. “That's going to come, as long as we win.”
FUTURES MARKET: Hardcore fans revel in the annual projections for hitters and pitchers that appear in STATS Inc.'s Major League Handbook. The tea leaves predict mixed results for the Reds.
STATS believed Sean Casey will continue his ascent to stardom, forecasting a .330 season with 40 doubles, 22 homers and 109 RBI from the first baseman.
But STATS envisioned stagnant years from other Reds, including Aaron Boone (.264, 11 homers, 56 RBI), Mike Cameron (.250, 21 homers, 71 RBI), Barry Larkin (.289, 14 homers, 64 RBI), Pokey Reese (.250, eight homers, 51 RBI), Eddie Taubensee (.278, 15 homers, 69 RBI) and Dmitri Young (.291, 14 homers, 63 RBI).
Pete Harnisch will lead the Reds in victories for the third year in a row, STATS proclaimed. The book said that Harnisch will finish 13-11 with a 3.92 ERA.
The numbers-crunchers were lukewarm about Cincinnati's other pitchers, including Denny Neagle (11-9, 3.93 ERA), Brett Tomko (11-10, 4.09), Ron Villone (9-8, 3.84) and Danny Graves (3-5, 3.83, 23 saves).
LEARN TO PITCH: Reds television commentator Chris Welsh will conduct his second pitching workshop next Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Regal Hotel in downtown Cincinnati.
The four-hour program is designed for high school, college and amateur coaches and the parents of aspiring pitchers. Each attendee will receive a course study guide and may bring a pitcher, free of charge, to participate in the workshop.
Welsh, who pitched for four major-league teams, will present instructional videos and computer analyses in his course. Excerpts from interviews with top pitchers such as Greg Maddux, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine also will be included.
The fee is $50. For more information, contact Jim MacFarland at (513) 752-3193 or write to 3544 Turnberry, Amelia, Ohio, 45102.
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