The Cincinnati Reds have called up Major League Baseball’s top prospect Elly De La Cruz from Triple-A Louisville. He will be replacing Nick Senzel on the roster after he was placed on the injured list with a right knee injury.
The top prospect in all of baseball has been on an absolute tear over the last six weeks in Triple-A, making a mockery of much of the league’s pitching in the process.
After starting the season 1-21 with 11 strikeouts, the 21-year-old Elly De La Cruz has gone out and hit .336/.442/.715 for the Louisville Bats in 165 plate appearances. That’s come with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 12 home runs, and 10 stolen bases.
During his short time in Triple-A this season he’s gone from a player who had a so-so walk rate and a higher-than-you-would-like-to-see strikeout rate in the past to a 21-year-old who seemed to have a light switch go off when it comes to recognizing pitches better and being more selective in what he’s been swinging at. Despite being among the youngest players in all of Triple-A, De La Cruz has walked at Joey Votto levels over the last month and he’s cut his strikeout rate down in a big way after those first few games coming off of the injured list when he had 11 strikeouts in his first 21 plate appearances. Since May 9th he has 24 walks and 26 strikeouts in 114 plate appearances.
The things you hear about Elly De La Cruz almost aren’t believable. From his speed, which is among the best in all of baseball, to the 500-foot home runs, to the fact that in one game he had more batted balls of 116 MPH than any team has ever had in a game, to having the strongest infield arm in baseball – they are tall tales that if we told them even 10 years ago before all of these metrics were being tracked and logged, wouldn’t be believed and would be exaggerations. But instead we can actually look at them and say “holy moley, this is all true.”
Exactly where he will fit into the defensive alignment is a bit of a question. During his minor league career he’s spent most of his time at shortstop, but he has also seen some action at third base. Shortstop is the best position for him, though he’s a fine third baseman, too. When he joined Matt McLain in Double-A in the second half last year, and then again in Triple-A this season – they split the shortstop duties a bit, with McLain sliding to second base when De La Cruz was at short, and De La Cruz sliding to third when McLain was at short. With Jonathan India at second, that kind of splitting of duties seems unlikely at the onset.
Eventually something will have to give, though, because Joey Votto is going to come back and get time at first, and if it’s not him it’s going to be Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and that’s going to push Spencer Steer off of first where he’s currently playing, and create another log jam of players trying to get at-bats and playing time on the infield where there doesn’t quite seem to be enough room for everyone on a daily basis.
The Reds will figure it out, even if it’s going to lead to an uncomfortable conversation or two along the way with some players. For now we know that Cincinnati is adding the top prospect in baseball to their lineup, and one of the players with the best raw power in all of the sport to a lineup that has less home run power than just about any team in the league. Grab your popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, and cracker jacks, and enjoy the show.
He will prolly struggle the first week like he usually does at a next level and then be Elly.
Plus,… he’ll be facing a tough pitcher with a 1.77 ERA, I might add. It’ll be a challenging situation for a first game in the Bigs to go up against Gonsolin. But you got to get your feet wet, so I reckon it might as well be going up against an ace. Go Elly! Go Reds!!
And there likely will be no looking back …
And I just happen to have a ticket for tonight.
Lucky dog!
Got mine for June 30/July 1st games!!!!
My wife and I planned to go to tomorrow’s nice game but it looks like we are going tonight! Exciting!
Yeah , I was going to see Louisville tomorrow in Columbus.
I was about to head to Columbus for tonight’s game. Change of plans.
Hope you have a great time.
I need to get one. Too big to miss.
I’m curious what the attendance will be for tonight? 30,000?
In Cincinnati, on a week night? Not unless they are giving out bobbleheads.
+/- an additional 6000 tickets were sold for the game
From the AZL in June, 2021 to the ML’s in June, 2023, at ages 19-21, is quite the ascension.
With all of the middle of who plays where aside, this is truly something to marvel (no pun intended). Elly De la Cruz, as one posted last month, ‘of the cross.’ Perhaps he is a Templar Knight?
So close… I would have seen him in Louisville a week from today. Happy for him and hope it works out for the Reds. Senzel on my bad list now!!
If he hits the ground running and quickly grabs a starting spot, there might be several players whose MLB career trajectory will change considerably, and not in the way they would like.
and here we go! My favorite Red of all time is Eric Davis, 44 .. and EDLC has the same number .. what do you know.
My favorite number was 20 and my favorite red wore it. Frank Robinson. His trade to the Orioles was the worst trade in reds history.
Probably the worst trade in MLB history!
Bad trade but not nearly as bad as Boston selling Ruth to the Yankees.
Worst than the Reds trading Robinson was them trading Christy Mathewson.
You hit it: the worst trade in Red’s history. I saw many a game with Frank Robinson and his friend, Vada Pinson, holding down the Reds outfield. As a lifetime fan, it’s taken me a long while to try and get over Frank Robinson to Baltimore? Plus, those were exciting days in baseball. And today is an exciting day with Elly de la Cruz being called up to the Reds.
Chris is correct, but who knew?
The Mathewson trade was prearranged, the only reason the Reds signed him was because whatever the rules of the day were the Giants were further down in the pecking order. John McGraw wanted him and made a deal a deal with his buddy Reds owner John Brush to sign him and trade him to the Reds. Shortly thereafter Brush sold the Reds and bought the Giants. So, Mathewson never pitched for the Reds before being traded.
In my mind Paul O’Neal for Roberto Kelly was a much worse deal. The Reds did get Alex Johnson, Clay Carroll, Woody Woodward and Tony Cloninger for the players acquired for Robinson; and a cornerback for Kelly.
The Reds got NOTHING for Chapman.
MK good points above.
Reds got Carroll, Woodward, and Cloninger for Pappas (and two others).
Reds got Johnson for Dick Simpson, then McGlothlin, Borbon, and Geishert (later traded with Dufft for George Foster) for Johnson and Ruiz. .
So BRM got Carroll, Borbon, Cloninger, Woodward, McGlothlin, and Foster for Robinson.
Reds got nothing for Jack Baldschun.
top 5 for me
1. Bench
2. Larkin
3. Davis
4. Votto
5. Concepcion
No Morgan?
He’s got to make it a top six, Melvin.
He reminds me of Eric Davis but he is bigger 3 inches taller and about 30 pouknds heavier. He looks to have more power and speed as well.
I never saw Morgan play for reds, saw him play for Giants and Astros
I’m confident if you did he’d probably make your top 5 somewhere.
It begins.
Great news, but what am I going to rage against if they bring up all the guys that should be brought up?
David Bell’s pitcher usage. The lineup order. The announcer saying something you didn’t understand, like, or agree with.
Lol!! Those are the popular comments.
Wait until Bell pinch hits Newman for him.
Batting Joey Votto fourth in the lineup.
That’s it? 🙂 inability to bunt is right up there for me
So true. Sadak has never heard the words, “silence is golden”. Not every second of air time has to be filled with some nonsensical non relevant statistic.
“Wait until Bell pinch hits Newman for him.”
hahaha If that actually happens…..
lol
Doug tracks them well. lol.. Don’t worry there will be plenty to talk about.
The Reds will never have “log jam” problems because various players will be injured at all times. This is something we can count on every season.
Wooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Headed to St. Louis to see the reds this weekend. So excited. Let’s GO REDS!
My feeling is that there is an expectation that maybe EDLC will have the impact of a rookie Dwight Gooden or Fernando Valenzuela (and yes, I know they are pitchers). 😉 I would love for that to happen, but I’m not expecting that. It’s asking too much, IMO.
If he could only have an Aquino-like start. Nevermind the rest of AA’s resume.
An Aquino-like start that is maintained over time would be great. 🙂
AS not doing very well in Japan.
AA not aAS
Yeah, been checking on him, not doing well at all over there. What a shame.
I agree, Tom. I think it is important to manage expectations and the expectations for De La Cruz are exceedingly great There have been many a high ranking MLB prospect who has been promoted to the show only to turn in a mediocre career. I am not suggesting that happens here, but previous performance does not always insure success. I am cautiously optimistic.
Yes, I believe that what many forget is that there is absolutely no guarantee that he becomes the next big thing. Those who have watched him play at Louisville will disagree with me, I’m sure. What I am hoping is that they waited this long to promote him for him to address major hitting issues such as strikeout percentage. This is a complete hunch on my part, but when EDLC went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts a few days back, that may have pulled the plug on a move that could have happened before the Milwaukee series.
@Tom>> I was thinking something 180 degrees about the platinum sombrero. I wondered if he had caught a sniff that he might be brought up for the Brewers and then found out it wasn’t happening and just went through the motions that night. He was certainly right back on the horse the next night and the remaining two games of the series.
However, I also believe this call up has earmarks of being premediated and that Senzel’s knee just made him the guy to the IL versus someone being sent down to enable it.
Tom, you nailed it. Before the season, I had him at .234/.295/.425 13 HR 43 RBI. If he does that, I will be happy. Asking for an .800+ OPS is tough.
How long you been sitting on the article 80% done Doug waiting and waiting? LOL
Abbott and EDLC back to back nights?
Here’s my guess tonight with India removed last night early from the lineup with the caveat 7-9 dont matter
India DH
McLain 2b
EDLC SS
Fraley RF
Steer 1b
Stephenson C
Newman 3b
Fairchild CF
Benson LF
Doug probably did what the news organizations do when they know that something is going to happen. You have it all written up and ready to go, with maybe a few places to fill in time-sensitive info. And if he didn’t do that — wow! Great job cranking that out in no time!
Having logjams at positions at the major league level is exactly what you want, as long as the players involved are productive. It will all work itself out somehow.
Jim Bowden reported on Twitter that Krall told him this morning that EDLC will play some shortstop and some third base.
Exactly, logjam is a poor fitting metaphor for what in reality is improving depth.
Exciting news! He’s as likely to struggle at first as he is to excel, but I’m eager to see how it goes. On a related note, I know Senzel is out but can we please not post lineups suggesting that Kevin Newman should start? Surely between EDLC, McLain, India, Steer and Barrero the Reds can field an infield without Newman. This is supposed to be another step in the development of prospects and the start of a new future for the Reds, right? Now when’s that first pitch? Can’t wait.
I really don’t understand the Newman hate. Objectively, he’s one of the best performers on this team. He is absolutely ideal at the role of utility infielder, and has another year of team control, so he will be around. He’s not going anywhere. You’re not going to have one of the youngsters put into that role, at least not yet.
Newman has been outstanding for the Reds. He’s probably not an ideal starter, but man, what a great second option bench guy who can certainly perform when called upon.
Also, he controls the mail… And when you control the mail, you control…INFORMATION!
Couldn’t agree more. He also provides a veterans perspective on the team which I think can help the young players
Again the word hate. Smh.
I feel like it’s vuja de all over again.
Wasn’t this exact conversation happening about Farmer last year?
And the rationale for playing The Chad so much in ST.
Nothing is ‘wrong’ with Newman besides him taking ABs from others whose development is of long term better focus.
With Bell, he will continue to do.
Is he so productive?
Barrero must clearly be in Bell’s doghouse.
So who does Newman take ABs from next? EDLC? Steer? McLain? India?
Now talking about keeping him around next year, too?
I expect Barrero to get shopped at trade time before Newman or Millstone Meyers.
Another Didi G in the making on a club that will support him.
With more guidance and patience than RLN.
I agree Tom. I don’t mind Jeff Newman as a utility infielder. I don’t think however, in any universe, Jeff Newman should be leading off against a right handed pitcher. Nor do I believe he should be starting most games. However, as a bench player, yes he has value.
I also don’t get to upset about the Newman situation , he will likely be somewhere else in a month or two.
Also, I disagree Jeff Newman will be here next season. The Reds are not going to pay him $2.5 million dollars, when they have a glut of young infielders making league minimum.
“Also, I disagree Jeff Newman will be here next season. The Reds are not going to pay him $2.5 million dollars, when they have a glut of young infielders making league minimum.”
Especially when Lopez can play pretty much the same places as Newman plus the outfield while providing just as much with the bat from both sides of the plate….as a true backup.
Newman “hate”?
The Reds are rebuilding.
A rebuilding team needs to provide plenty of playing time for the young players who are part of the rebuild.
There is nothing wrong with these mediocre vets like Newman et al, but they are not part of the future which the team is rebuilding towards.
Therefore, when Bell continually plays guys like Newman over the young players who are part of that future, he is wasting developmental opportunities.
On a rebuilding team who is not a serious contender, that is just unexcusable. And that is where the frustration resides.
“Again the word hate. Smh.”
Yeah I know. To me the word hate is a strong word that’s used frequently when it shouldn’t be. A better way would be to say, “Gets criticized or dislike”. I can think of no one I actually hate. Nothing against Tom. I know he’s a good guy. Just a general comment.
Harry – I don’t know what’s going on with Barrero. He needs ABs somewhere. The lineup tonight, especially facing a RH pitcher, could have easily been shifted around to where Steer was at 1B, Barrero in CF, and Fairchild in LF. Maybe they’re trying hard to showcase Newman for a trade that they want badly.
It’s difficult to get the young guys OJT when you’re still in the division race. There has to be a mix. Look at McClain and Barrero. One has contributed immediately to the team’s success, the other not so. Newman isn’t go anywhere.
Is this real life???
Is this just fantasy?
🙂
Caught in a landslide?
(Howdy Duke! Long time.)
Oh, escape from reality
This is a nice “gift” on this – our 36th wedding anniversary.
I tend to be overly optimistic at times; but I think we’ll look back later and see this as a turning point for the organization.
Happy anniversary!
ThanksTom! If I remember correctly – aren’t you originally from Carroll County?
Forgive my previous question – confusing you with Dennis lol.
Happy anniversary!!
Thanks Jim! I like to be involved in multiple Titantic Struggles.
Happy Anniversary!!
Thanks Brother!
Happy Anniversary Ghost Runner! (Great handle by the way)
i trust Steer at first base from a defensive standpoint. I think of all the question marks about the future of who plays where, unless Steer has a major regression at the plate he is our future first basemen.
I think CES is our future first baseman/DH and Steer is our future first baseman/DH/outfielder.
Defensively CES is not.
Well if he is you then get to find another DH and the lineup is even better. Or you can earmark a young player a defensive liability without barely seeing him play. Seems pretty obvious to me.
It’s about time! The EDLC era begins!
(This Week) 1B Steer 2B McLain SS De La Cruz 3B India C Casali Maile DH Stephenson LF Fraley CF Benson Barrero RF Fairchild INF Newman.
Let’s hope Krall has told Bell that like McLain, EDLC plays everyday. None of this Newman BS. Newman can DH against LHers until hopefully traded
Since you think Krall tells Bell who to play, how do you know Newman’s playing time isn’t Krall’s fault?
Lol. Krill must have told him to play Steer as well.
You’ll have to forgive LDS. He is a longtime fan but he can’t forgive Bell for pissing in his Cheerios.
That is a joke LDS. I love your passion for the team
Krall doesn’t set the lineup obviously. But Krall telling Bell that McLain plays wouldn’t surprise me. Newman is the type of player Bell can relate to. EDLC is not.
@JimT, don’t like Cheerios either. Yes a long time fan as in 60+. But my opinion of Bell is based on my career not fandom. As I’ve said, I’ve fired better managers
Yeah, will be interesting to see how Bell relates to EDLC.
I hope India and McLain and Fraley take him in.
Who else can he talk with? Barrero?
I was touting Bell to learn some Spanish here last year and got shouted down.
Lasorda spoke fluent Spanish with Valenzuela. FV said it made a big difference in feeling comfortable.
@LDS like you I’m in management. My issue with the reds is ownership. Bell is part of their team no doubt and firing him in my mind does very little for me considering I want a World Series winner. That is something this ownership has not committed to. The top of the ladder sets the tone.
Yeah @Harry it would help as would the players learning English. Bell doesn’t strike me as someone worried about communicating directly with non-English players. Working with other cultures is an adjustment that some folks never get comfortable with
LDS, does career fandom make you some sort of Guru. Went to my first game in 1960. Does that make me the Dali Lama of RBN? That I know is not the case.
@BeaufortRed, as I said, my views on Bell have nothing to do with baseball fandom. I don’t claim to be a baseball guru. But I do know bad management when I see it. Nothing more complicated than that.
LOL the projection, wow. Arrogance abound.
He thinks a sport is corporate America, and he’ll be sure to let you know what his career was along the way.
@2020, you’re a hoot. You and many others mistakenly believe that management in sports follows different rules than management in the corporate world. The team skill sets are obviously different, but human psychology isn’t. That some of us “only” managed in corporate America doesn’t make us arrogant or wrong.
IfI had a dollar for every time you’ve brought up you managed a fortune 500 company or in corporate America I’d have enough money to buy a house in Hawaii on the beach.
@Frankie, And I could buy two for every comment about it not being Bell, that he has non
-public data guiding his decisions, that he is analytics driven, or that baseball is different. I guess some here are just more comfortable with mediocrity than I
I don’t expect that much. Maybe hit the Toyota or score from 2nd on a foulout to the catcher
Wish he would have been here for last weekend but better late then never. As for Senzel the poor guy lasted longer than I thought he would. Wish him good health.
Yes Senzel having a solid year. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious. Meanwhile let’s Go De La Cruz!!!!!
We all knew if Senzel went back to the OF, the IL wouldn’t be far away
I’ve been saying that for years.
People here rave about Senzel’s D at 3B.
Barrero seems to taking to CF more smoothly but still crashes into people.
But it is wasting his talent.
Keep EDLC out of CF.
poor Nick. His body will simply not allow him to play the outfield. Too bad, as that’s just about the only at-bats left for him now. I was hoping he would have some trade value in July because there is no way Nick Krall is paying an oft-injured utility player 3.5$M that can’t hit right handed pitching.
So far two for two on rookie call ups impressing with Mclain and Abbott. Here is hoping it’s three for three. Wish we had another hot pitching prospect to call up though. Ashcraft seems to have become predictable with his pitches and hope he can learn a new pitch somehow and that’s no easy task. I can’t remember another year when the Reds front office had so many decisions to make over a course of a year. As mentioned once Friedl, Senzel, Votto, Myers get off the IL and CES is brought up it will really force managements hand. I think Fairchild and Newman are traded if they can get enough value for them if not send them back to AAA as depth. Looks like Myers will get DFA’d unless he is somehow able to stay healthy, get solid playing time and produce.
Pat Kelly louisvillebats manager is incredible. He has a odd but funny way of letting De La Cruz know he is going to cincinnati.
On reds twitter feed
Well, it finally here, EDLC joins the show. Will see, and infusion of youth, talent, and passion. Hopefully, a changing of the guard for the better. Next up, CES…
I think CES’s MLB trajectory is very intertwined with Joe Votto’s recovery/ rehab. One of them is going to be on the 26 man MLB active roster as a result of Votto’s rehab. What Votto does in the rehab will decide which one. The only thing likely to change this is if Steer falls off a performance cliff or goes down with an injury.
I agree with this Jim. If Votto is healthy, he is up. If he is not, CES is up. They essentially need the same at bats (DH with occasional 1B). 1 more difference is the team is deficient in left handed hitting and Votto is very good at that – when healthy.
That is starting to look like a really nice lineup. It’s nice not having three or four strikeouts lined up in a row. Btw 118 mph translates very nicely to any level. Makes me glad I’m not pitching against him.
Alot of young talent in this organization! Obviously not every prospect with put up numbers, but I expect them to atleast win the division 3 times by 2028. Nobody else looks that impressive.
If it works out maybe we can call this lineup “De La Crucible”
Terrible day…..for Louisville fans!
I have one word about EDLC being called up:
YIPPPEE!!!!!
Lineup tonight:
Jake Fraley (L) RF
Matt McLain (R) SS
Jonathan India (R) 2B
Elly De La Cruz (S) 3B
Spencer Steer (R) LF
Tyler Stephenson (R) DH
Kevin Newman (R) 1B
Stuart Fairchild (R) CF
Luke Maile (R) C
Saw that posted. Interesting to see Steer put in LF. I know he said he was willing to play anywhere the team needed him. We shall see how it plays out tonight.
Your impression’s of Hopkins? I was hoping he would be inserted into the lineup more so. I also realize he just arrived a few days ago.
Jury’s still out. He got called up mostly out of need. That’s how I see it. He does appear to be a “hungry young buck” type of player.
Guess India is not ready for 3B quite yet.
Plus EDLC and MattyMc probably need a little bit of practice to sync back up. Not sure if they did the SS/2B thing at AAA or not.
Just hope India’s back is OK.
Yeah. They played there quite often together.
Some hot takes in the lineup today
Steer in LF
Newman at 1B
And Barrero still can’t buy a start
Barrero = Dog House
Barreo = struggling to hit, probably shouldn’t start at mlb has had some chances just has not clicked go to AAA get it together be ready for next chance
Yeah. If he’s not going to play put him in AAA. He’s learning NOTHING at the moment. Development is stagnant. David Bell rarely gives ANYONE this much time off without a start.
I know they wanted the three catchers on roster. Does anyone know if that is still set in stone? I for one hope they get rid of the three catcher idea. With the players coming back and CES still waiting to be called up that extra spot on the roster should be a position player not a 3rd catcher
As I’ve said before the only good thing about three catchers is that David Bell won’t use one of them more often making playing time for the young guys even harder.
Frustrating for sure.
Replacing one of he three catchers with CES is okay with me.
My thinking as well in regards to CES
This is a great day in Cincinnati.
First Steer, then McLain and now Abbott and EDLC on back to back days.
The impact of this is that, assuming Votto is eventually called up this month, Senzel becomes a weak side platoon with Fraley when he returns or Myers is released. Maybe the Reds do both and call up CES. This may be a reach but 2024 could look like this:
C: Stephenson
1B: Steer
2B: McLain
3B: Marte
SS: EDLC
LF: Fraley/Senzel platoon
CF: Friedl/Barrero platoon
RF: India (or if traded: Benson/Hopkins platoon)
DH: CES
Bench: Newman and Maile
Senzel and Barrero provide a lot of flexibility for the Reds.
I’m taking Steer in LF today as he’s the first one that they see ending up in the OF, not India. Just my take
No idea how that reshuffles the lineup though
I am good with Steer in LF and India at 1B
Friedl’s L/R splits are .333/.325. He doesn’t need a platoon partner. Newman, if the Reds are going to keep him, should be Fraley’s platoon partner. The lineup is out today and Bell moved Steer to LF so that he can start Newman at 1B. And by what “analytics” metric is leading off with your RBI leader a logical move. McLain, India, and Steer all have better OBP than Fraley. Hopkins, Barrero, Benson, and Casali make up today’s bench. Hopkins and Barrero need to return to Louisville to play every day. Benson maybe to Chattanooga. The Reds will have Ramos and Votto to clog up the works shortly. Send them down to develop.
Benson has been playing well though since being recalled. Last 15 days batting 300 and OPS of 791.
I do agree though Fraley batting lead off is a head scratcher.
Yep, and yet Benson isn’t starting today. So Newman can. And since he’s had like one hit in 4 games, it’s hardly a showcase
I agree LDS. But in spite of this he is platooning this year
LDS: Do Friedl’s splits represent a significant number of AB’s against lefties? I’m asking, by the way, not baiting you. I don’t know the answer to my question.
“Do Friedl’s splits represent a significant number of AB’s against lefties?
Significant enough. 🙂
@Greenmtred, not enough ABs vs. LH to be statistically relevant, but enough to find out. In truth, one could probably argue that he doesn’t have enough ABs to draw conclusions about his career trajectory at all. Same as Barrero, roughly the same number of PAs.
I wouldn’t overlook the other rookie starters yet either. Williamson is improving and Lively – even though an older rookie, looks like he can be an adequate 5th starter.
After reading a good article over on the Athletic yesterday about 2024 pitching injuries, I think we need to be more content with our starting pitching if Williamson and Lively can just stay off the DL. That article was eye opening; ~ 50% more pitching injuries in 2023 compared to same time in 2022.
*2023 pitching injuries
However the positions get divvied up, it’s gonna be exciting baseball in Cincy for no less than the next 7 years!
The ripple effect should mean Marte gets promoted to AAA.
Put Friedl,Marte, and CES in that lineup and good young “nuclear” offense OD 2024
Or use an asset of that bunch (along with a lower level high leverage prospect) to get some young, controllable starting pitching either at the deadline or offseason.
Marte is hurt. On 7 day injured list. Blake Dunn got promoted to the Lookouts.
Newman plays short and McLain replaces him. Newman plays third and EDLC replaces him. Newman plays first and ?
CES replaces him
I hope that move for Steer is permanent. Otherwise, moving long-term assets for journeymen like Newman is indefensible.
I tend to agree. Honestly I don’t see why Steer can’t play 1st today and put Hopkins in LF.
Agree. This has to be a directive from management to try to showcase Newman for a trade. No other justification for it. Problem is that they will never get the value back that they traded to get him to begin with.
I’ve never had a question about calling someone up. My only questions were like:
– Are they ready? Most important
– Where to play them? Something I still think is important.
With who the Reds have right now, I still foresee position changes or actual team moves, maybe even trades.
Like with DLC, they have him at 3rd tonight. But, he’s only played 30% of his games at 3rd. Is he going to be able to field it? Is he going to be “serviceable” with his defense there? Or, is he going to be Edwin Encarnacion, where he couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with a baseball from 90 feet?
I still think, with all of these young guys we have, DH is going to be a big reality for us. Like tonight, I don’t catch Maile and DH Stephenson. I would think it’s better to catch Stephenson then Ella can DH.
I love the line up sans Newman. He shouldn’t start against a good right hand pitcher,
Reporter: “For fans who haven’t seen you play how would you describe your game”?
De La Cruz: “Electric”!
Steer in LF and Newman at 1B suggests there’s a CES-sized hole to be filled in that lineup.
Maybe tomorrow? 🙂
“1B suggests there’s a CES-sized hole” That would be great! I like Steer in the OF as a long term solution for him.
You think maybe it’s for Joey?
Williamson has been a big addition also. I believe he was mostly omitted from most comments. It’s been exciting with each call up. The youngest lineup I’ve witnessed and I sure am happy about it! Fan since 1965, first time commenting.
Wow!
If he doesn’t hit four grand slams I will be oh so disappointed.
Ok, I don’t mean that, I am jealous of all those who can go to the game tonight.