For most teams, getting catchers to hit for .220 anymore is highly unlikely. Production at the plate from the catching position is harder and harder to find. However, Cincinnati is not having this problem by any means. Jose Trevino is batting .318 and an OPS of .875. Austin Wynns is batting .455 with 2 homeruns, 9 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.227. The Reds at the catcher position rank 1st in batting average in the league, 2nd in OBP, and 2nd in OPS. This is all without our starting catcher, Tyler Stephenson yet to join the team. I never would’ve imagined this to occur to begin the season. I think I am okay with losing Fernando Cruz now, props to Krall.Â
Have to Get Above .500
Year after year, this team seems to find themselves hovering .500, but fail to make the leap over. For Cincinnati to make the playoffs, they have to find a way to stop battling from behind in the record column. At 11-11 currently with the Marlins and Rockies upcoming, now is the time to get above .500 and to move up in the standings. The pitching for this team is far too good to play mediocre baseball and with Abbott now on the roster, this team has a chance to win night in and night out. Consistency is key in baseball and this team seems to be finding that behind the plate as of recent, a complete swing from early on this season.
What Would You Do Different?
If you were Terry Francona, what would you do different right now? It’s a good thing I am not the manager, as I would’ve sent Fraley down before he started getting hot at the plate. However, I do believe it is time for Candelario to take an IL stint. AT .130 and -0.5 WAR, it’s time to give Marte more time at the plate. While you hate to admit a bad signing, he’s had enough time to prove himself and it simply isn’t working. This team needs him and needs him to produce, but you can’t let this go on forever.
If Martinez continues to get hit hard 2nd and 3rd time through the order, how long until you decide to get him back into a middle relief role once Lowder or Miley are healthy? Do you continue to allow Benson to get zero major league at-bats while Blake Dunn stays on the roster at .188? I’d have a short leash with Dunn and I think Benson has proven that he deserves more than one game to go off of to decide if he can hit at this level again.
Leaders Nearly a Month into the Season
- BA: Gavin Lux – .319
- HR: Elly De La Cruz – 5
- RBI: Elly De La Cruz – 22
- OBP: Gavin Lux – .427
- Hits: TJ Friedl – 24
- Strikeouts: Hunter Greene – 35
- Saves: Emilio Pagan – 4
- Holds: Tony Santillan – 5