Cincinnati Reds Unsung Heroes Continue to Produce

The Reds are chalk-full of talent.

Sure they have a possible Triple Crown candidate in Joey Votto—and fellow All-Stars Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen. The pitching staff has been solid if not spectacular, lead by the most consistent pitcher in the majors: Bronson Arroyo.

But the glue that keeps this team together is the bench. They are unsung heroes that have proven to be the WD-40 to the Reds machine when it gets a bit rusty. The players that were expected to be after thoughts have instead been essential to the Reds success.

Dusty Baker has told media members that the team would be lost without them. Votto calls them "essential" to the team’s good fortunes. Here are the unsung heroes of the 2010 Reds:

Paul Janish

Janish is known for his spectacular defense. He has incredible range and could perform a mean two-step with the incredible footwork is posses. He also has a cannon for an arm and has shown in the past that no play is out of his reach.

The issue has always been his bat. The concern was horrific enough that the Reds had to sign Orlando Cabrera over the winter. Right as Janish was preparing for his first season as a starter, the Reds scooped up a new guy. So Janish returned to a familiar place—the bench.

Once Cabrera went to the DL it was finally his time to show he indeed can carry a decent stick. He's played everyday for a month and has produced a .286 average and a .366 OPS. He has collected 10 RBI in the eight spot in the lineup. He had the game tying single in the wacky 12-11 win over the Giants on Wednesday.

I'd argue he should stay in the starting lineup when Cabrera and his .260 average, .302 OBP and limited range at short return. Tough decision for Dusty.

Ryan Hanigan

Being the backup catcher isn't quite a glamorous job. But Hannigan has looked oh-so smooth doing it. The 30 year-old has produced a .282 batting average in 52 games. He has knocked in 32 RBI, tripling his previous career high, and has solidified the bottom of the order.

Hannigan is the personal catcher of Arroyo, but has hit his way into playing more than just every fifth day. The reliable "Hanny" has been a key tool on the Reds belt.

Chris Heisey

Heisey was brought up in early May to make his major league debut. So far, so good for the 25 year-old out of Lancaster Pennsylvania, he has been invaluable as a late game replacement. He has blasted three pinch-hit homeruns in the eighth inning of later.

He provides stellar defense wherever you put him in the outfield. He hit .323 in the month of July with a .364 OBP. He has turned into one of Dusty's top pinch hitters in the late innings.

The strikeouts need to be cut down (34 K's and only 15 walks), and the .186 August average indicates he hasn't completely figured out how to hit major league pitching.

As September approaches, the Reds will need Heisey to make the necessary adjustments to continue to be the feared bat he has been off the bench.

Logan Ondrusek

Ondrusek is another rookie, whom has come out of nowhere to be a consistent contributor out of the Reds bullpen. He went 20 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. The 25 year-old Texas native has a nasty sinker that has stunning movement.

He's 3-0 and has been the go to pitcher in the seventh inning lately for Dusty. Expect him to be placed in some huge situations over the next two months.

Jordan Smith

Yet an additional rookie, Smith didn't come to the big club until the middle of June. Since then he has been back-and-forth between Cincinnati and Louisville like a yo-yo.

He allowed only a single run in his first 8.2 innings pitched. He has excelled in his role as a long reliever or situational pitcher. His location has been terrific, allowing only six walks compared to 21 Ks. The 3.67 ERA is a little misleading due to a few bad outings, but this kid has late inning potential.

It will be interesting to watch his progress amidst a pennant race that's getting hotter than black concrete in August,

Miguel Cairo

The biggest unsung hero of them all? Cairo has been invaluable to the Reds with his ability to play anywhere on the field and provide timely hitting.

Spring Training was a last ditch effort for Cairo to hang on with a team. The journeyman made a bet with his daughter he would make the squad—even she thought his career was over.

Fast forward six moths and the Reds would not be in first with out him. After sitting next to a box of Dusty toothpicks until June, his number was called and he delivered.

He has .287 average and .353 OBP, but the stats only tell half the story. Cairo is seeing the ball better than ever in his career. His 8.1 percent walk rate is a career high. He has a 27 percent rate of scorching a line-drive—much better than the league average.

The 36 year-old Cairo also brings to the table a strong veteran presence amongst all the young Reds players. He has teamed with Rolen, Cabrera and Rhodes to show this team how to win and keep winning.

Playing for the veteran’s minimum, Cairo is a steal and a valuable piece of the '10 puzzle. A crucial ninth inning AB awaits and Reds fans can feel safe with him at the plate.

What Should the Cincinnati Reds Do With Drew Stubbs?

The Reds are starting to get to the end of the bat stub with their starting center fielder. Drew Stubbs is currently going through the worst stretch of his short major league career. In his last 36 at bats, he has just one hit and 17 strike-outs. Ewww...

That's a monster-sized slump that can't be tolerated on a team in a pennant race. Going back even further, in 52 games since June 1st, he's sporting these numbers: .222 BA/.271 OBP/.634 OPS with seven HR, 24 RBI and 58 K.

Bottom line, a .229 overall batting average is not going to cut it for a team 12 games above .500.

But it's not as if Stubbs is completely useless. He plays a great center field and has 18 stolen bases. Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman called him the fastest player he's seen in his 20 years covering the game.

The speedster has pop as well. Stubbs has 13 home-runs and 49 RBI. Hitting out of the seven-hole, 49 RBI isn't shabby.

The problem? There is another option down in the farm system. His name? Chris Dickerson.

Dickerson is on fire at AAA. He collected three more hits last night. He's hitting .421 in 12 games on his rehab assignment. He's drawing walks (.511 OBP) and stealing bases (five of six). Remember, he was the guy patrolling CF on Opening Day.

His wrist is healed and he is ready to go. What's the harm in sending Stubbs down to AAA for a few weeks and letting him get his stroke/confidence back? A fresh Dickerson, along with Chris Heisey, can man the CF spot for the next month and allow Stubbs a chance to clear his head.

Normally, the Reds wouldn't touch Stubbs during this time of year. "Give the young guy reps" is always the mantra when a team is well out of the play-off race.

This year is different. The margin for error is very slim when the competition (St. Louis) is much more experience in a pennant race. The Reds can't afford the young Stubbs time to work out the kinks in his swing.

For now, why not roll the dice and see what Dickerson can do in pressure ABs? The oft-injured California kid has never had this opportunity in three big league seasons. If he doesn't work out, Stubbs can be vaulted right back up to the Reds line-up.

But for now, Dusty Baker needs to do something. Shake up the order a bit and let Stubbs figure his swing out at the AAA level, not for a team trying to make the post-season for the first time since '95.