DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Eight years ago, when the Dayton Dragons began their first season, B.J. Hawes was the Opening Day shortstop.

My, how that important position has changed in the Cincinnati Reds organization — and with the Dragons — since then.

In high school, Hawes had been an outfielder and pitcher, but the Reds, who drafted him in the 19th round in 1999, thought he wouldn't hit enough to be a regular outfielder and didn't throw hard enough to be a pitcher.

He was athletic enough, the Reds decided, to be a shortstop.

Hawes wasn't the only mistake the Reds made at that position over the past eight seasons.

Only one shortstop they originally signed has made the majors during that time — free agent Rainer Olmedo, who has played in three other organizations since then and has never been a regular at the big-league level.

There's no need to go through all the names, but where once the Reds had no logical replacements for Barry Larkin — who retired three years ago — now, they have plenty.

"We recognized there was a weakness there," said Reds Director of Development Terry Reynolds, who was director of amateur scouting for the organization in 2004-05, when the Reds drafted shortstops Paul Janish and Adam Rosales, two prospects, even though Rosales has mostly moved to the corners, first and third.

"When you're drafting guys, you're usually just taking the best player that's available. A lot of times, a shortstop is the best athlete on the field. When you take them, you're not always sure they're going to remain shortstops, and they may not stay there, but they're good enough athletes to play there at one time."

The Reds not only have Janish and Rosales at Class AAA Louisville to begin this season, they have Chris Valaika (drafted 2006) at high Class A Sarasota, Todd Frazier ('07) with the Dragons and Zach Cozart ('07) ready to rejoin the Dragons as soon as the Reds are certain Cozart's surgically repaired right shoulder is ready for the grind.

Also tucked away in extended spring training is Neftali Soto, yet another shortstop drafted in 2007, and he's only 19.

Add to that list Jose Castro, obtained in a trade with the Mets. Castro is starting the season at Class AA Chattanooga. All, except for Soto and Castro, have already played for the Dragons.

Which one, if any, will end up with the Reds?

Since almost all of the Reds prospects make a stop with the Dragons, that's a nice place to start.

Frazier, the current Dayton shortstop, has heard the rumors he might be moved to third base and knows the organization is full of players at his position. He doesn't mind.

"For the most part, I just pay attention to what I'm doing," Frazier said. "If you hit, you'll move up, and if they feel I'll make the big leagues at a different position, that's OK.

"I always loved to set my goals high. If I set my goal at hitting .460, maybe I'll hit .320. That's an exceptional year."

With that kind of attitude, the Reds may soon have a home-grown shortstop again.

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