Reds' future on display at spring training

Having increased their supply of promising young players through trades, the amateur draft and the development of their own minor-leaguers, the Reds will enter camp in Sarasota, Fla., with more legitimate prospects joining established players than in any recent year.

“This spring training is a little bit different than the last 11 I've been to,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said Monday.

Cincinnati's pitchers, catchers and injured players given permission to participate early are due to report next Tuesday.

They'll undergo physical examinations Feb.14 and begin workouts Feb.15. Position players will report Feb.18, two days before the first full-squad workout Feb.20.

Typically, Bowden has filled the last spots on the 40-man roster with waiver pickups or six-year minor-league free agents. Occasionally such acquisitions prove valuable, such as right-hander Steve Parris, who was traded in November to Toronto. More often, they make modest contributions (such as first baseman-pinch-hitter D.T. Cromer) or none at all (such as outfielder Rod Myers or first baseman Ron Wright).

This year, the 40-man roster includes no such castoffs. Some of the roster's least accomplished players actually will be among the most closely watched, including 19-year-old infielder

David Espinosa, last year's first-round draft choice, and 21-year-old catcher Dane Sardinha, a second-round pick.

The 40-man roster includes 17 players age 25 or younger, reflecting the organization's stockpile of prospects — along with the massive payroll cut. Two other youngsters lead the group of 18 non-roster invitees: 20-year-old left fielder Austin Kearns, the Lexington, Ky., slugger who was the Reds' top minor-leaguer in 2000, and 19-year-old right-hander Dustin Moseley, the team's second overall selection in last year's draft.

“We have a lot of young players who have the chance to be All-Star caliber,” Bowden said. “When the big boys aren't playing, it's still going to be a tremendous opportunity for us to be watching and evaluating.”

Reds farm director Tim Naehring shares this enthusiasm but added a note of caution: Because many of these players are partici pating in a big-league camp a year or two ahead of schedule, they must continue to learn habits essential to their development and not cut corners, as some veterans can.

“These young guys need to put some effort into it and learn what they need to do to get ready for the season,” Naehring said. “Everybody can't approach it the way some superstars do. ... It's going to be a good experience, but we have to make sure (the young players) keep their ears open and realize that some guys may go about it a little differently because they've earned that right. It's my job to make sure that these guys approach this opportunity — and it is an opportunity — with the right frame of mind.”

Part of the 25-and-under contingent consists of already established Reds such as 1999 Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson (25), projected starting pitcher Rob Bell (24), left-hander Dennys Reyes (23) and right-hander John Riedling (25). Utilityman Donnie Sadler and outfielder Michael Coleman (both 25), obtained from Boston in November in the Chris Stynes trade, are leading candidates to win reserve roles. And Gookie Dawkins (21) has entrenched himself as a top infield prospect.

But the Reds have much to learn about others. They must gauge when some of the young pitchers who came in trades — such as Clayton Andrews (22), Seth Etherton (24), Brian Reith (22), Chris Reitsma (23) and Ed Yarnall (25) — might be ready to help.

They want to see whether outfielder Jackson Melian (21) — who came from the New York Yankees with Reith, Yarnall and two-sport star Drew Henson in the Denny Neagle deal — really is a five-tool player. Has outfielder Adam Dunn (21) refined his vast physical skills even more? Is third baseman Brandon Larson (24), the 1997 first-round draft choice, ready to step in if Aaron Boone falters in his recovery from knee surgery?

“It should be,” said Bowden, “a very exciting spring.”

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