Meet the 2009 Chattanooga Lookouts!
Well, it's hard to believe, but the 2009 season is upon us.  The Reds have some nice additions and a few losses to their roster this year, and here's an overview of the opening day roster.
OF 
Mike Matthews		 Matthews has undeachieved in a big way since being taken in the top 10 players picked in the 2007 draft.  Still a top prospect, Matthews will have to start performing better this season to stay on Cincinnati's radar screen despite his immense tools, which don't always translate well onto the field. 
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LHP
K.D. Akin
KD Akin, left handed sinkerball specialist has struggled a bit in his 3 years in the Reds' system.  He will at least start out 2009 at Chattanooga, where he needs to refine his pitching further.  He is expected to start putting things together in a big way at any time.  He amounts to the pitching equivalent of Matthews.
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Guerra absolutely mashed last year, posting 41 homers and 117 RBIs between A and AA.  If he continues to hit at the pace he showed last year he may find himself in the majors before too much longer.  A position change to 1B is in Guerra's future.
OF
Jimmy Guerra
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Quinn had a great 2008, his best season yet, 15 wins with a sub 3.5 ERA.  Its not expected that he will stay long with Chattanooga if he gets off to a good start.  Despite his good numbers last year, look for even better things from him in 2009.
RHP
Alex Quinn
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Thompson spent three years with the Reds' Rookie level affiliate, but has shown marked improvement each year on his rise to AA.  Despite his three years in the lower levels, Thompson is still only 21, and should get a nice shot at showing his AA worth pitching from the rotation.
LHP
Howie Thompson
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1B/2B
Rob Hess		 Hess was the league MVP last year in Billings.  A right handed hitter, he will be a nice compliment to lefty hitting Matthews and Guerra in this lineup.  Look for him to continue to rake with the best of them despite jumping a level.  Hess has future all-star written all over him. 
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Weber shows very advanced hitting skills, with a high average, good power and a spectacular batting eye.  130+ walks last year at Billings show what a mature hitter he is already.  His tremendous arm makes him a nice player at either 3B or catcher.
C/3B
Barton Weber
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Wayne had his best season yet last year for Chattanooga.  Despite spending two years here already, Xander will at least start 2009 at Chattanooga.  If he does well, a mid-season promotion should be in order.  Wayne hit .346 last year against right handers while struggling vs. southpaws.
IF/C Xander Wayne
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Martinez blew through his competition at both A and AA the last two years, and is poised to jump to AAA if he starts the season well.  Martinez features dominating stuff from the left side, with a great K:BB ratio.
LHP
Stan Martinez
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C/OF
Bryan McGeorge
McGeorge has great tools offensively.  While he probably won't hit for a high average, he brings other assets to the table, such as good power, a great arm and excellent speed.  Already a 20/20 man in the minors, he may challenge 30/30 before his career is over.  A conversion to catcher is underway.
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More Chattanooga Notes
Gone from the Lookouts this year are several players who had dominating years, and have bright futures.  RHPs Bots Vaughan and Charlie Garcia, LHPs David Chambers and Tom Farmer,  OF Hal Berry, C Lyle Wilson and 2B/3BPaul Leonelli all had great seasons for Chattanooga last year and will be on display for Louisville in 2009. Cincinnati's Chattanooga alumni include major leaguers Oris Graham, Sam Johnson, Geno Autry, Jack Saunders, Luis Estrella, Martire Franco, Reggie Grimes and Herm White.  Said GM Bill Akin, Sr. "We are very happy with our minor league system, and we are extremely homegrown oriented.  Only in special cases will we import talent from other teams.  Our philospohy is to develop players for our own use in the major leagues, and undoubtedly some of the names you see in Chattanooga this year will have productive careers with the Reds."
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