Travis Wood

2013

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2012

When Wood struggled in 2011, frequently it would be when he couldn't throw his offspeed pitches for strikes or get opposing hitters to chase outside of the strike zone. If there was an umpire that wouldn't give him the marginal calls, he'd frequently fall behind, then have to challenge hitters in the strike zone with his 89-90 mph fastball. That, and his propensity to give up flyballs in a ballpark that doesn't reward flyball pitchers made for a pretty bad combination. If Wood can get back to throwing his breaking pitches for strikes, he has a future as a starter. That opportunity should be easier to come by following the Reds' decision to trade him to the Cubs as part of the Sean Marshall deal in December.

2011

Wood lost out on the fifth starter's job to Mike Leake in spring training, but didn't let that deter him from building off of a strong 2009 season. Once he made it to the Reds, he was extremely reliable for two months before slowing down in September. However, a strong relief outing against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS loss in the Roy Halladay no-hitter game reminded Reds fans of his potential. That said, his spot in the starting rotation to begin 2011 isn't secure. Either he, Homer Bailey or Mike Leake will be on the outside looking in. The guess here is that Wood wins the spot ahead of Leake.

2010

At the time of his promotion from Double-A Carolina to Triple-A Louisville in July, Wood led all qualifying minor league pitchers with a 1.21 ERA in 119 innings. He was a second-round pick in 2005, but a shoulder injury in 2007 scuttled his progress as a prospect, and it looked as if he had hit a wall last year at Double-A. But now that he's fully healthy again, he's established himself as a legitimate prospect, albeit one that needs some time to acclimate to each step up the ladder. He'll begin 2010 at Louisville, but don't be surprised if he gets a midseason callup.

2007

Wood did well to hold his own as a 19-year-old for low-A Dayton this year, after getting drafted in the second round in 2005. All the usual caveats about young pitching prospects apply with Wood, but at the very least the Reds have another pitcher worth tracking in their system.

2006

Taken in the second round of the 2005 draft, Wood dominated rookie ball right out of the box, striking out 45 batters in 24 innings in the Gulf Coast League. It's a long trek from rookie ball to the major leagues, particularly for a 19-year old, so keep your expectations in check, but also follow his progress closely as he advances up the farm system.