Alex has been cleared to play at UC. I'm a bit torn on the decision. If he did what he did to my daughter and then was able to continue with little trouble to play major college football, I'd be up in arms. But, everyone deserves a second chance. It comes down to one thing for me. Does a single night of misbehavior warrent a lifetime suspension and limiting this young mans options as he goes forward.

Lastly, way to go Nancy Zimpher. Uphold those high moral standards when it's a Huggins recruit. If it's your own people doing the recruiting, bend the rules if it suits your purposes. I can't stand her.

Now that Daryl Thompson is pitching in the majors, it's time once again to nominate the next big thing in the Reds organization...  Do we as reds fans skip a few qualified players and look to the likes of Yonder Alonso.  Is Todd Frazier the next in line to receive praise so high no rookie can live up to them. Is Chris Valakia the chosen one that will lead our once great franchise to world series victory. 

I having no inside knowledge to draw upon but think the youth movement has run its course for the year.  I believe that Drew Stubbs gets a long look during next year's spring training and has an outside chance of making the ball club.  He's got great speed, can certainly play a major league caliber CF, and is a right handed bat.  

Any players i've forgotten, please let me know...

Daryl Thompson threw seven innings, allowed four hits and no earned runs while striking out six and walking two yesterday versus the Triple A Columbus Clippers.  I'm going to go out on a limb and nominate Daryl for the next minor league player we all want to see play.  With Homer continuing to struggle mightily at Triple-A, Daryl is the natural choice to over-hype.  Thoughts or suggestions other then Daryl are always welcome.

Let us all remember that Jay Bruce is Human.  The reds are not going to instantly become contenders because he's playing in Cincinnati instead of Louisville.  

He isn't walking across the beautiful Ohio river, as C. Trent likes to remind us.  I just hope this works out similar to milwaukee's Ryan Braun. Braun played 113 games for the brewers last year, 324 avg, 34 HR and 97 rbis.  I don't expect that kind of HR total, but I'd love to see that average and runs batted in.