1. RHP Aaron Harang

2. RHP Edinson Volquez

3. RHP Bronson Arroyo

4. RHP Johnny Cueto

5. RHP Micah Owings

ROTATION ANALYSIS: The rotation is solid, so good that RHP Homer Bailey couldn't push his way in despite a 2.45 ERA in five appearances this spring.

BULLPEN:

RHP Francisco Cordero (closer)

RHP David Weathers

LHP Arthur Rhodes

RHP Jared Burton

RHP Mike Lincoln

LHP Bill Bray

RHP Nick Masset

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The unit is bolstered by experience, led by Cordero and two 39-year-old setup guys, both with closing experience, Weathers and Rhodes.

LINEUP:

1. CF Willy Taveras

2. LF Jerry Hairston Jr.

3. 1B Joey Votto

4. 2B Brandon Phillips

5. RF Jay Bruce

6. 3B Edwin Encarnacion

7. C Ramon Hernandez

8. SS Alex Gonzalez

LINEUP ANALYSIS: The offense is built for speed, with Taveras at the top after stealing 68 bases last year, but his on-base percentage of .302 needs to improve. The team will have to get its power from second-year players Votto and Bruce, with some help from Edwin Encarnacion.

RESERVES:

C Ryan Hanigan

OF Jonny Gomes

OF Chris Dickerson

INF Jeff Keppinger

INF Laynce Nix

RESERVES ANALYSIS: The bench is not strong and is heavily right-handed. If Dickerson is platooned in left field, when he plays, only Nix is left-handed off the bench.

ROOKIE WATCH: SS Paul Janish continued to flash leather in spring training, but he still hadn't found a way to hit minor league pitching, let alone major league pitching. OF Drew Stubbs, a first-round draft pick in 2006, showed signs of future stardom in a brief look early this spring, but he will start his season at Class AAA Louisville.

MEDICAL WATCH:

SS Alex Gonzalez (compression fracture of left knee) missed all of last season, but he was given clearance to participate 100 percent in spring training. That didn't happen, and he was held back two weeks, then when he played, he strained his right hamstring. He was sidelined as of March 27.