June 19, 2012

Overthinking It

The Cincinnati Reds and the Benefits of Being Homegrown

by Ben Lindbergh

Well, homegrown’s all right with me
Homegrown is the way it should be
Homegrown is a good thing
Plant that bell and let it ring.
-Neil Young, “Homegrown”

Take a look at the Reds’ lineup from last night:

Notice anything? Actually, you might notice a few things. Scott Rolen isn’t on the disabled list. It’s not often you can say that. Brandon Phillips is the only player who gets to have his first initial in the box score, maybe so the parents of Zach Phillips, who pitched 2/3 of any inning for the Orioles in May, won’t wonder why their son switched positions and got traded without telling them. Ryan Hanigan is an underrated offensive catcher. Joey Votto really doesn’t make many outs. Cincinnati’s lineup as a whole had a heck of a night, as it has on a lot of nights lately (though on this one, it wasn’t enough—the Indians won 10-9.)

But I’m talking about who the batters were and where they came from, not what they did. Let’s look at the lineup another way:

Player

Origin

The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers. Not a subscriber? Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web. Cancel anytime. That's a 33% savings over the monthly price! That's a 33% savings over the monthly price! Already a subscriber? Click here and use the blue login bar to log in. 11 comments have been left for this article. BP Comment Quick Links code of conduct maphal (21015) What is mildly worrisome is the complete lack of talent/production at AAA Louisville right now. http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=416&stn=true&sid=t416 Having traded Grandal, Alonso, and Boxberger for Latos, the Reds must have expected more from him than they've received so far. Jun 19, 2012 07:04 AM link rating: 0   reds1869 (47286) The best talent coming through the system is in the lower minors right now. It will get to Cincinnati when it is needed. AAA is weak because the Reds used AAA to beef up the major league club. It is a temporary problem. Jun 19, 2012 08:33 AM link rating: 2   steve.k (20200) great neil young song, by the way. on the American Stars and Bars album, circa 1977. One of his last top shelf albums. Jun 19, 2012 09:35 AM link rating: 0   Ben Lindbergh BP staff (37618) "Homegrown" is great. I think I'd put at least four of his albums after that above American Stars 'N Bars, though. That one was a little unfocused. Jun 19, 2012 13:58 PM link   tullythomas (42096) I was trying to focus on Billy Hamilton as the next in the wave of Reds' homegrown talent, but I see only a blur. Jun 19, 2012 10:30 AM link rating: 5   SaberTJ (10045) Really good writing Ben. I enjoyed this a lot. Jun 19, 2012 13:05 PM link rating: 1   Ben Lindbergh BP staff (37618) Thank you, sir. Jun 19, 2012 13:55 PM link   R.A.Wagman (32721) Ben - regarding your table in the middle - do the percentages refer to players as homegrown only considering their MLB service time, or does it delve into which organization made the guy a professional? In either event, good stuff here. Jun 19, 2012 14:16 PM link rating: 0   Ben Lindbergh BP staff (37618) Thanks. It only considers major-league service time--see my note about Kristopher Negron. Jun 19, 2012 14:18 PM link   Alexander (30882) Great article. I was just talking about this with a friend from my fantasy league--it seems like being home grown is paying off for a lot of teams, like the Mets and Nationals, too. Is there someplace where I can find a full list of homegrown percentages? Jun 20, 2012 09:39 AM link rating: 0   Ben Lindbergh BP staff (37618) Alexander, the spreadsheet is here. Those numbers are as of Monday. Two sheets, hitting and pitching. Jun 20, 2012 10:19 AM link   Sorry, fantasy subscribers cannot comment on exclusive premium content. << Previous Article Western Front: Angels ... (06/19) << Previous Column Overthinking It: Who I... (06/13) Next Column >> Overthinking It: Melky... (06/21) Next Article >> Baseball ProGUESTus: S... (06/19) RECENTLY AT BASEBALL PROSPECTUS Daily Hit List: Wednesday, May 22 Scouting the Draft: Center Fielders to Know Skewed Left: A Somewhat Happy 40th for the I... The Lineup Card: 7 Baseball Firsts We Expect... What You Need to Know: The No-Name O's Raising Aces: This Justin Overthinking It: Better in Baltimore MORE FROM JUNE 19, 2012 Prospects Will Break Your Heart: Bring Me th... Baseball ProGUESTus: See the Ball, Hit the B... Western Front: Angels Rush in Where Rangers ... Painting the Black: Evaluating Colletti Value Picks: First, Third, and DH for 6/18/1... Daily Hit List: Tuesday, June 19 Collateral Damage Daily: Tuesday, June 19 MORE BY BEN LINDBERGH 2012-06-21 - Overthinking It: Melky Cabrera and the Mythi... 2012-06-21 - BP Unfiltered: Baseball News is Hard 2012-06-20 - BP Unfiltered: Yankees Fans Gloating About H... 2012-06-19 - Overthinking It: The Cincinnati Reds and the... 2012-06-17 - BP Unfiltered: Interleague Play is Confusing 2012-06-16 - BP Unfiltered: How to Get Bryce Harper Out E... 2012-06-13 - Overthinking It: Who Is the Best Umpire? More... MORE OVERTHINKING IT 2012-06-29 - Overthinking It: Why Some Pitchers Don't Get... 2012-06-25 - Overthinking It: What Does Everyone Have Aga... 2012-06-21 - Overthinking It: Melky Cabrera and the Mythi... 2012-06-19 - Overthinking It: The Cincinnati Reds and the... 2012-06-13 - Overthinking It: Who Is the Best Umpire? 2012-06-12 - Overthinking It: Ten Reasons the Astros Aren... 2012-06-07 - Overthinking It: Slow and Steady Wins Some R... More... Baseball Prospectus Home  |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Customer Service  |  Newsletter  |  Masthead  |  Glossary  |  Contact Us Copyright © 1996-2013 Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC.            Surprise Me!