26-year old lefty swinging 1B Joey Votto has been outstanding this season for the Reds. He has played in 126 games for the Reds this season and he is 144 for 452 (.319 avg, .972 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 24 homers and 81 RBIs. The Reds do need Votto to stay focused next season as he missed a lot of games due to depression. The Reds want to build the team around Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto so they need him to play all year long in 2010.

22-year old lefty swinging 1B Yonder Alonso is on the fast track to the majors. He was the Reds’ top prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Alonso played in 84 games in Rookie+A+AA ball this season and he was 86 for 295 (.292 avg, .838 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 9 homers and 52 RBIs. He also has solid plate discipline walking 41 times and whiffing 46 times this year.

39-year old lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes has pitched well this season for the Reds. In 65 games out of the bullpen Rhodes is 1-1 with a 2.58 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has only allowed 37 hits in 52 1/3 innings this season for the Reds while he has whiffed 47 batters. The Reds were smart to resist trading Rhodes to a contender as he should help them again in 2010.

The Reds are giving 24-year old righty swinging outfielder Drew Stubbs a long look and he’s making a good first impression for the team. Stubbs was the Reds’ #3 rated prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Stubbs has played in 32 games for the Reds this season and he is 36 for 136 (.265 avg, .793 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 8 homers, 15 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He could easily win a job in the Reds’ outfield next season if he finishes the year strong.

28-year old righty swinging 2B Brandon Phillips was the best player again on the Reds this season. He has played in 136 games for the Reds this season and he is 142 for 515 (.276 avg, .784 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 20 homers, 89 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. This now makes three straight seasons that Phillips has been a 20/20 man (homers, steals) for the Reds and there’s no sign that he will be slowing down any time soon.