thin reds line

Cincinnati needs a shortstop. Paul Janish currently is penciled in there for 2010, but according to Baseball America reports, former Ole Miss standout Zack Cozart could make a push for the job by midseason. And if Cozart doesn’t work out, there’s ex-Taylorsville High star Billy Hamilton farther down the line. Cozart and Hamilton were the subject of a recent BA story about the Reds’ shortstop job, which hasn’t been adequately filled since the days of Barry Larkin. Cozart, 24, who played at Double-A Carolina in the Southern League in 2009, is rated Cincy’s No. 10 prospect. His defense is considered good enough for the big leagues, and he hit .262 with 10 homers last season — and indication that his bat is coming on. Hamilton, the first Mississippian picked in the June draft, batted just .205 with 14 stolen bases in a short rookie league tour. “He’s very crude as far as baseball,” Reds farm director Terry Reynolds told BA. Hamilton was a great multi-sport athlete at Taylorsville, but he needs to bulk up from his listed 160 pounds.