Luke Hudson throws in spring training.(Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        So, Tim Naehring, which minor-leaguer do you want to talk about this week?

        “Luke Hudson,” Naehring said.

        Hudson is the 24-year-old right-hander the Reds got in the Pokey Reese trade with Colorado. He is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. But it's not his numbers that have Naehring, the Reds' player development director excited.

        “We have a lot of guys in our system with what we call "pitchability,'” Naehring said. “That means they have the ability to throw multiple pitches in the strike zone consistently. Then there are the guys who have the great stuff. Hudson is one of the few who has explosive major-league stuff. I had the opportunity to see him the other night. He was throwing 93, 94 (mph). His ball had life in the strike zone.”

        The night Naehring saw him, Hudson's “pitchability” was good also. When that is the case consistently, he'll probably be in the Reds rotation.

        “He's a guy who has a chance to be the No.1 or 2 starter,” Naehring said.

        Naehring said he thinks you could see Hudson up with the Reds.

        “I do,” Naehring said. “His changeup is a hair hard. He needs to work on that. But (minor-league pitching coordinator) Sam my Ellis is pleased with the way (Hudson's) repeating his delivery. That's key to command.”

        HOWINGTON UPDATE: Left-hander Ty Howington, the No.1 pick in 1999, is rehabilitating his shoulder in Cincinnati. He has tendinitis. He's on a program similar to the one Lance Davis was on, but the injury is not as serious.

        “We're really careful with these minor-league guys,” Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “(Howington) had a great year last year. We want him to have a great year this year.”

        If Howington had his druthers, he'd still be pitching.

        “It's not that bad — to me,” he said. “But it's been fun being here and working out here.”

        LARSON'S HOT: Brandon Larson, the 1998 No.1 pick, has put himself back on the Reds' radar with a strong start at Triple-A Louisville. Larson entered Friday hitting .404, second in the International League, with four home runs and 12RBI.

        “We're extremely pleased,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “Not only with his numbers, but he's showing the ability to make adjustments. We're hoping he's following the path of (San Diego third baseman) Phil Nevin. Nevin was a high draft pick who it took awhile to adjust.”

        Larson will be called up only in the event of an injury.

        “It's best for his development to play every day,” Bowden said. “He has the potential to hit 30, 40 home runs.”

        NOT WEE WILY: Bowden is never one who is shy about touting his players. (See Greene, Willie.)

        So it's easy to dismiss him saying the Wily Mo Pena trade will go down as his best ever. Until you see Pena take batting practice. One session tells you Pena's power is off the charts.

        Pena, the 20-year-old outfielder the Reds got from the Yankees for Drew Henson and Michael Coleman, is on the fast track. He has to make the team next year or the Reds risk losing him because he's on a major-league contract.

        Pena has played four games above the Single-A level, but Naehring can see Pena making the jump to the bigs next year.

        “He's got tremendous talent,” Naehring said. “It's not a secret. He has to learn to pick up the spin on the ball sooner. He's not comfortable hitting against the breaking ball. That causes all his strikeouts.”

        Naehring said Pena's attitude and work ethic are such that you could throw him into the majors right now.

        “He loves to play,” Naehring said. “... He'd find a way to compete.”

Rijo, Reds win again Reds box, runs Rijo's return 'a miracle,' but so is rest of his story SULLIVAN: Rijo enjoying it while arm lasts DAUGHERTY: Rijo keeps 'em guessing Reds Notebook: Chemistry, fun abound Reds swing well in rain Reds Minor League Report Reds Q&A with John Fay Reds Chatter Boston's Lowe gets season's first no-hitter Mariners 1, Yankees 0 Angels 11, Blue Jays 4 Rangers 4, Indians 2

Bengals' Jones took unusual path to NFL
Munoz takes back seat to Jones
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Guidugli finds his touch in spring game
Different paths led to UC track
Just how big is the Flying Pig?
Where the Flying Pig ranks
Derby should have full field
Defense rules OSU spring game
Enquirer power rankings
Thorpe tops list of Kroger commitments
Coming up this week
High School Insider
St. Xavier wins tennis classic
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results

• Return to Reds front page...