Why hello Nation, Reds baseball is back! The Reds began their quest to the 2018 World Series championship with a resounding 6-4 Catcus League beatdown of the Cleveland Indians. Tucker Barnhart lead the Reds with a two-run bomb in his first plate appearance of the spring. The Reds had Sal Romano, Tyler Mahle, Jackson Sephens, Kevin Shackleford, Keury Mella, and Jimmy Herget make their spring debuts on the mound today.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (1-0) | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Cleveland Indians (0-1) | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| W: Romano (1-0) L: Otero (0-1) S: Herget (1) | |||
| Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Positives
Tucker Barnhart hit a two-run bomb to rightfield in the first inning. Barnhart didn’t hit a single home run in 35 at-bats last spring, so obviously this means he is due for a monster 2018.
Brandon Dixon hit a no-doubter bomb in the 6th inning. Dixon has some nice power, as he hit 16 home runs in 124 games at AAA in 2017 with a .783 OPS. He could be a guy to keep an eye on as the season goes along to possibly crack the Reds bench should they have injuries, poor performances, or make a trade. Dixon has played every position except SS and C in the minors.
Tayler Mahle pitched two solid innings: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 B, 2 K.
Negatives
Billy Hamilton is still batting leadoff. I have been pretty darn supportive of Bryan Price to this point, but if he has Hamilton batting leadoff on Opening Day 2018, he should be fired on the spot.
Jose Siri had to leave the game after crashing into the wall in CF. Siri of course set the Midwest League record with a 39 game hit streak with the Dayton Dragons last year.
Not so random thoughts…….
It’s the first day of spring training, but right off the bat you see a clear battle for the 5th rotation spot between Tyler Mahle and Sal Romano among others. Mahle won the battle today pitching two scoreless innings, while Romano allowed a home run.
Kevin Shackelford with a really impressive seventh inning. I think he has a great shot of making the #Reds bullpen. 3.64 xFIP and 28.3 K% last season.
— Matt Wilkes (@_MattWilkes) February 23, 2018
Jimmy Herget is now on the mound for the #Reds. Such an intriguing arm. Changes arm angles, changes his timing to the mound. Anywhere from 90-96, good breaking ball.
— Doug Gray (@dougdirt24) February 23, 2018
Our old friend Ryan Hanigan just threw out Scott Schebler trying to steal second base.
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) February 23, 2018
Up Next:ÂÂ
Rockies at Reds
Saturday, 3:05 PM
TV: None; Radio: 700 WLW
Michael Lorenzen vs Yency Almonte
Next TV game: Sunday at 3:05 PM on FSN-Ohio
All photos are used courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Sam Greene, and are used by permission.ÂÂ
Yeah, Billy Hamilton batting lead-off again. Who could imagine that? Well, Bryan Price for one.
It’s early. Let’s not condemn anyone just yet. Young guys looked kinda good. Especially Shackleford and Herget.
If that lineup was any indication of the OD lineup, I am alarmed more about the absence of WInker than I am about BH at leadoff. If Winker doesn’t start from day one, the Reds will be making a gross and indefensible mistake. Furthermore, that lineup today is pretty anemic. I don’t have high hopes for it.
Ethan,
Today’s lineup did reek of “75 wins or so”, barring a miraclous breakout by the starting pitching.
While not re-signing him seemed a prudent move because of age, that 5 WAR Cozart provided last season is a lot of production for the returning guys to additionally make up in 2018, or Winker/Senzel to off-set in rookie seasons.
Like the intro, Nick. To use an old phrase, growing up in a family full of shady card players,
“You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one.”
Regarding 5th SP slot “battle”….this really is taking Small Sample Size to a new level.
Was driving for work, listening to pre-game, and Price stated that the SP “competition” would not be fair. Basically, too many arms and not enough time for everyone to get a fair shake.
The 5th slot may very well already be settled in Price’s mind. If so, I hope he and Williams have figured out how to massage the egos of all those who have talked about being a starter, but won’t be, at least on Opening Day.
I have seen countless comments about an OF platoon that should get Winker 500 plus PA’ s keep Duvall from a second half swoon and give the Reds an excellent shot of having BH as a late inning PR or defensive replacement! These all in addition to these players facing favorable splits at the plate! I know they can’t manage by “sports radio” but these fans and contributors have a much better grip than the FO for the Reds! Hey Price try reading the Nation you might save your job! Lol
They didn’t sign Billy to the present contract so he could be a late inning defensive replacement and a pinch runner. He will start most games in centerfield, unless he gets hurt or is hitting abysmally bad. And likely lead off. Bob Castelini has spoken. Billy is great!
And again, barring injuries or a Spring Training trade of Schebler or Duvall (Billy is untouchable!), I would be surprised if Winker gets 300 AB’s. 500 AB’s?
With this team. and this management?
The Reds offense needs Votto and Winker regularly in the lineup for their on-base ability, but as many of my fellow bloggers and I have noted over and over, that’s probably not going to be the reality. Unless there is a change in management, I think Winker will eventually be included in a trade and the Reds can concentrate on the home run instead of OBP.
BP as Manager = BH leading off. I believe it was etched on the tablet Moses dropped.
I think the stone tablet was dropped on BP head!
They had the dh today and no winkler fire price now
Agree. The Fonz should be in the lineup every day.
Well, Dilson Herrera was the original DH. I think that’s ok. He needs to prove he belongs on the Big Club.
I wonder how many American League teams bat their dh ninth
What is with the total pitch counts for both teams? Around 65? Were both teams just swinging at the first or second pitch because of spring training, or were they practicing “speeding up the game”?
If those pitch counts are correct, then Billy flew out on the first pitch and bunted on the first pitch. I wish he would at least practice taking a pitch in spring training. Also noticed it was the usual suspects who took some pitches before swinging (Joey for one).
Okay, thanks for the explanation.