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CINCINNATI REDS (21-36 in 1877)
After a last-place finish in 1877, they are looking for some signs of improvement. They have added a handful of good players, but no gamebreakers - look for this club to improve slightly this season, but a winning record would be a major accomplishment.
8 C Dick Higham (0-19-.320-0) - He had a good first year in Cincinnati, and looks to be a solid contributor here for the foreseeable future.
12 1B Clipper Flynn (0-24-.290-4 with St. Louis; lifetime .311 hitter) - 1877 was probably the least productive season of his career, and it still would represent a significant upgrade for this club.
13 2B Bob "Magnet" Addy (0-22-.257-3) - This solid veteran is a very good infielder, although he had a down year at the plate last season with the Reds.
17 SS King Kelly (rookie) - This native of Troy, New York is supposedly one of the league's more promising young players. He is probably a better catcher and outfielder than he is at short, but this is where they need him.
34 3B Steve Bellan (1-36-.287-3 with Louisville; lifetime .288 hitter) - This fiery Cuban is no star, but he is a good fielder and has a reputation as a determined, scrappy player.
19 LF Steve King (0-6-.292-1) - This aging star was Cincinnati's big signing of 1877. He lasted all of six games before being lost for the season with an injury. They hope he regains his old form this season.
18 CF Jack Remsen (.206 hitter in 1876; lifetime .246 hitter) - They simply do not have any good answers in center field at this point, so Remsen will be used as a starter while they figure things out.
6 RF George Bechtel (0-34-.298-6) - He was a gamble that paid off for Cincinnati in 1877, as he was one of their best hitters. He is expected to be a big part of their attack in 1878 as well.
3 P Bobby Mitchell (20-28, 2.54) - He was Rookie of the Year in 1877, and has the talent to keep this club competitive this year if their hitting is strong enough.
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