After falling behind by five runs early in the game, the Cincinnati Reds chipped away and chipped away. They would score three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning, capped off by a long walk-off single by Matt McLain with the bases loaded to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to start off their 3-game series at Great American Ball Park.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers (35-26) |
8 | 8 | 2 |
| Cincinnati Reds (28-33) |
9 | 14 | 0 |
| W: Salazar (1-0) L: Ferguson (3-1) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Mookie Betts led off the game with an infield single and then Luke Weaver walked Freddie Freeman before a 1-out RBI double by Max Muncy, a sac fly from J.D. Martinez, and an RBI single by David Peralta made it 3-0 before the fans at Great American Ball Park could even get settled into their seats.
Cincinnati’s offense came out swinging in their half of the 1st. Jake Fraley and Matt McLain would single to start the inning, and then Elly De La Cruz worked a walk to load the bases with one out. Spencer Steer was hit by a pitch to bring in the first Reds run and make it 3-1. Tyler Stephenson then had a soft liner into center that plated McLain and De La Cruz to tie the game up.
Two innings later saw Elly De La Cruz back at the plate with one out, and after falling behind 0-2 he got an elevated fastball and lined it at 112 MPH into center field for his first big league hit – a double. Spencer Steer would follow with a walk, but both guys would be stranded as the game moved to the 4th inning still tied at 3-3.
J.D. Martinez gave the Dodgers the lead in the top of the 4th with a solo home run to kickstart the inning. Luke Weaver would give up two more singles before a walk that loaded the bases with two outs. That led to manager David Bell heading to the mound to make a pitching change and bring in Alex Young to face Freddie Freeman and try to get the platoon advantage with two outs and the bases juiced. The move went about as poorly as possible as Freeman hit a grand slam on an 0-2 change up to put Los Angeles up 8-3. A “Freeman-Freeman-Freeman” chant then broke out at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds tried to get things going in the bottom of the 5th. Jonathan India picked up a 1-out single and then Elly De La Cruz walked to put two men on base. Spencer Steer struck out and then David Bell got ejected for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout. That left things up to Tyler Stephenson to try and produce a run and he did that, but he got some help as he grounded to third but saw Max Muncy throw the ball by the 1st baseman and Jonathan India came around to score and make it an 8-4 game. That would be all that Cincinnati would get in the inning.
Alex Young walked the first two batters of the 6th inning and that led to a pitching change, with Fernando Cruz entering the game. But as he left the field, Young said something that got him tossed from the game. Freddie Freeman grounded into what seemed like a double play that ended the inning, but the Dodgers challenged the play and it was overturned and the Reds had to come back out of the dugout and try to record another out in the inning. Cruz did just that, getting a lazy fly out to center to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th inning the Reds got a walk from Stuart Fairchild to start the inning, but was erased on a double play. Jake Fraley, Matt McLain, and Jonathan India put together three consecutive singles to make it 8-5. That brought Elly De La Cruz to the plate with the crowd chanting his name. He got ahead 2-0 before taking a strike, but then hit a 109 MPH ground ball to second base to end the inning.
Spencer Steer led off the bottom of the 7th inning with a single. Tyler Stephenson followed up with his own to put two men on for the Reds. Kevin Newman grounded into a double play, but Steer moved up to third base on the play and he would score when Stuart Fairchild beat out an infield single, cutting the Dodgers lead to 8-6. Will Benson followed up with a line drive off of the wall in right field, just missing a game-tying 2-run homer. Jake Fraley grounded out to end the inning and strand runners on the corners.
After Ian Gibaut threw a shutout 8th inning, it was Eduardo Salazar out for the 9th inning and he threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Down two runs, the 5-6-7 hitters in the order were due up for Cincinnati. Spencer Steer began the inning with a walk and took third base when Tyler Stephenson singled into right field. TJ Hopkins came on to run for Stephenson. Kevin Newman popped up for the first out of the inning. Stuart Fairchild worked a walk to load the bases. Curt Casali followed with a walk of his own, bringing in a run and making it 8-7 and turning the lineup over and bringing Jake Fraley to the plate to face lefty Caleb Ferguson. The struggles continued for Ferguson as he hit Fraley to bring in the tying run.
The trainer went out to check on Fraley after he took a fastball on the wrist. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts walked to the mound at the same time to make a pitching change and bring in Shelby Miller to face Matt McLain with the game on the line. Fraley remained in the game and at first base. Two pitches later McLain hit a long single to the warning track in center field to complete a walk-off come from behind win.
Key Moment of the Game
Matt McLain’s walk-off hit in the bottom of the 9th.
Notes Worth Noting
Matt McLain’s hot start to his career continued. He had two hits before his walk-off and is now hitting .341 through the first 20 games of his career.
Reliever Eduardo Salazar was credited with the win. It’s the first win of his big league career.
Elly De La Cruz went 1-3 with two walks, a double, and a run scored in his debut in front of 22,602 fans who were chanting his name all night long.
Cincinnati #Reds 3B Elly De La Cruz makes history:
He hits a double for his first #MLB hit, 112-mph.
He becomes the youngest player in the last 100 years to produce an extra-base hit in the cleanup spot in his #MLB debut— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 7, 2023
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday June 7th, 7:10pm ET
Noah Syndergaard (1-4, 6.54 ERA) vs Brandon Williamson (0-0, 4.29 ERA)
And I’m going to do something I have not done all year. I’m going to give some credit to David Bell because I think that was a calculated move on his part to get tossed in that way and the fire up his team. The Umpire behind the plate was terrible all night long…had no idea where the strike zone was and Bella
was certainly justified, but I think he added some extra mustard on top with a purpose. He might have gotten them that run where the third baseman through it high…might have been a little unsettled watching Bell…and that started the comeback
This is a problem all over baseball this season seems worse than I can remember. Umps are throwing out managers and players really fast, and the strike zone all season has been so inconsistent. At this point I can’t wait for robo umps.
whole-heartedly agree @Jay. Balls and strikes need to be called by the automated system. The new umpires are worse than the older guys that have retired in droves the last 3 years. Very inconsistent or simply just not accurate.
If he’d only thrown first base. 🙂
Or pulled a McCledon and just taken 1st base into the clubhouse with him.
just have one thing to say
HELL YEAH!!!!!
Hated the dodgers ever since we were in the same division in the 80’s
And the 70s! 🙂
1960s also. I don’t hate anyone but LAD were big rivals in 1960s.
Reds offense has arrived in 23. Playoffs coming soon. Just need some starting pitching momentum.
With the Votto, Moose, and Griffey money coming off the books this offseason, the Reds can spend big on a starting pitcher if they want to.
Aaron Nola will be a free agent this offseason. He’s a bit older (30), but he could probably give the Reds a few more good years of middle-of-the rotation pitching. I’d see if he’d take 4 years, $80 million to come pitch in Cincinnati.
Green, Lodolo, Nola, Abbott, Ashcraft looks pretty good, on paper. Alternately or additionally, the Reds could try to swing a trade for a pitcher.
I also hope the Reds spend the offseason using some of that money to lock up their young players to team-friendly deals.
1.lefty Lodolo
2.righty Greene
3.lefty Williamson/Abbott
4.righty Ashcraft
5.lefty Abbott/Williamsen
WHY waste money on mid career has beens when we have this future!!! I mean, seriously!!
Why? That’s easy to answer. Look at all the starting pitching we’ve already used this year. We’re 2nd in the NL in runs allowed.
And no one wants a “mid career has been”. I’ve said this before – the Reds #1 need this offseason is a well above average starting pitcher to go with all our young pitchers next year. We have both the money and prospects, just get it done!
So the word out their must be that edlc will chase balls.
HA!
The high fastball was out of the zone, but appeared to be over the center of the plate.
Willie Mays would frequently chase high fastballs and sliders, because he knew he could hit them. Hit a lot of homers, etc., of high (out of the zone) pitches that were over the center of the plate.
EDLC is 6 ft 5 inches, and has long arms. He has incredible bat speed and can certainly hit a high fastball if it is over the center of the plate (and this pitch was 93 mph, which is not blazingly fast).
Youth and enthusiasm can go a long way in this league. I’ve been screaming for the kids to play with Roger Garrett since last year. Reds have the best record in the Central since late April and they still are missing guys like Freidl and McLain and EDLC just got here. CES should be here as well and this team will really take off. I’ll say it again .. Get those playoff tickets !! Not sure why people are writing this team off with 4 months to play. It’s anybody’s division.
Getting Friedl back should be huge
I agree.
Fraley 2H 1 HBP
McLain 3H
India 2H
EDLC 1H 2BB
Steer 1H 2BB
Stephenson 3H
1 through 6 batters on base 17 times!
Yep. It was the bottom of the order that was problematic. Perhaps not the case when Friedl and Senzel return.
The moves that are made when Friedl, Votto, Ramos, Senzel, Legumina, Myers and Law come off the injured list will be very interesting.
Now that they moved Steer to the OF, I don’t see Myers making it back to the Reds, and Ramos only gets recalled because of injury, imo
OF Fraley / Friedl / Hopkins / Steer / Benson
U Senzel
INF India / EDLC / McLain / CES / Votto
C Stephenson / Casali
I could see Newman over Hopkins also.
Benson had an absolutely great at bat tonight. He hit that ball hard but just didn’t get it up quite enough… easily could have been a two-run dinger
Yep, he’s looking much better since being called back up. Benson has a .333 BA, and .416 OBP since being recalled on the 26th.
Steer is not an OF. He played there tonight but won’t long term. He’s INF or DH. Fairchild better 4th or 5th OF than Hopkins. He can play 3 OF spots.
Senzel is not OF. He’s 3B or DH. Newman is UTIL.
CES and Votto will not be on the same Reds team.
Maile is the Reds best hitting C this year. Stephenson is 3rd C.
@OldT, I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Not only do we have a bunch of corner infielders who will likely make playing time an issue for all of them very soon, but Steer has been asking Bell to play OF. That’s what one of the game announcers said last night.
Steer is a baseball player. He’s the one I have expected to make the transition to the outfield. He has the speed and athleticism needed. He also has the mentality to make it happen.
Yup.
Agree Oldtimer, I am a big Votto fan but I think he might be done?
Trade Cassali and keep Maile. Will Meyers should not see the field again for the Reds. Trade Newman to free up a spot.
Elly looks like a good CF candidate. Steer can flat out hit and never looks over matched at the plate. Senzel or India on the trading block?
Friedl -> Hopkins sent down
Senzel -> Barrero sent down
Ramos -> Fairchild sent down
Legumina -> Salazar sent down
Law -> Cruz sent down
Votto -> Either Maile or Casali released (hopefully)
Myers -> Released (hopefully)
At this point in his career, Votto is no better of a hitter than Casali or Maile. And they provide more defensive value.
Releasing one of them for Votto does nothing to help the team in 2023.
AMDG, I know.
But you can’t always expect the Reds to do the right thing. If Votto is healthy, he’s going to be on the active roster. Releasing one of the catchers would be preferable to, say, sending EDLC back down.
Do you really want Ramos to replace Fairchild?
I agree with most of this with the exception of Salazar. I like how he pitches.
Wow, what an incredible comeback;
– complete team effort
– magnificent bullpen effort
– scored 9 runs with 14 hits, but only 1 extra base hit (by you know who)
Man, if this team could stay healthy and get some injured guys back it could actuallymake some noise this year. Get out there and go to a couple games folks!
Mostly magnificent pen…
Young gave up the slam to Freeman.
It’s ok Freeman is a darn good hitter.
Can’t let Freeman beat us. He’s a HOFer. Just a great hitter and player.
Also, I ‘ll say it again , The Dodgers bullpen is one of the worst in the league. Don’t turn the game off. The pitching staffs ERA is great at home but 29th on the road. The Reds are in it with their gritty play. Front office quit screwing around and get CES up here. Drop Kuhnel from the 40 and send down Barrero. Barrero sitting on the bench isn’t doing him any good.
Hopkins seems to be in a similar situation as Barerro but without the top prospect hype. The CES situation is interesting with Votto and Stephenson in the mix. We are carrying 3 catchers because of Stephenson’s regular DH role. If he would return to catching 5-6 games per week, we wouldn’t have the need for the 3rd catcher and roster spot therein. Doubt it though. We also have a zillion guys who can play first base as well as Stephenson, Votto, and CES. Probably no more than 1 available roster spot between CES and Votto.
CES is not on the 40 man roster yet…. it scrambles things up. I love Joey, but, I think we all know including himself that he is done. He is one of my all time favorite players and I appreciate like everyone else here what he has given to this organization. But, on another note, should have had Benson in Right and Fraley in left and Steer at first. Freeman has gotten too many starts recently and does not hit righties well. Fraley does not have a right fielder arm Benson does. That throw on the sac fly to right by dodgers last night tells you all you need to know, go back and watch it. talking about keeping Curt or Luke as second catcher, I think you have to keep curt b/c he is Green’s personal catcher or so it seems.
Best win of the young season? Kudos to middle relief and a persistent offense for this one. (Did Young really throw a change-up on an 0-2 count that ended up going yard for a grand salami? How did that happen? Live and learn, kid.) Newman 0-5? Agree with you guys – will be interesting with Friedl and Senzel back in the line-up. Fraley good at lead-off tonight. Has Stephenson risen from the dead? Great game, Reds!
Not as hard as it seems.
Friedl plays most every day.
Senzel play OF vs lefties…Fraley vs. righties
Senzel is not an OF. He is 3B or DH.
RLN doesn’t get to make those decisions. Senzel has been playing LF in preparation for Elly’s arrival.
Since the Boston series, Newman has started every game. He’s 2-21 since that series. Barrero was hitless in the last Boston game, following his previous game grand slam. He has not started, coming in as a pinch runner once and as a defensive replacement for one inning. Send Barrero to Louisville where he can play. He’s rotting in Cincinnati and at only 25yo, that is a stupid player development strategy. Unless as someone noted here in the last week or so, it’s a personal thing with Bell. Reminds me of Bell’s usage of Akiyama. Send him down or trade him. But don’t just mothball him.
LDS , you never stop. Let your infatuation with Barrero rest . It’s over! I can’t understand that if you care about him why not realize as more guys come up the deeper he’s gonna be on the bench. Better off at AAA to get it together. He’ ll never play short for the Reds. I mean geez, the best comeback of the year and your still complaining about Barrero’s playing time!
@Beaufort, numbers are numbers. I realize many of you here have written him off. Fine. It’s not infatuation with Barrero. It’s recognizing that NO ONE has the data to determine where his career ends up, or McLain, Steer, Friedl, or even EDLC’s. Everyone can point to their athletic talents, etc. But, it’s all a small sample size. They are all 400 ABs or less, not even a full season, despite the years on the roster. McLain doesn’t have 100 ABs yet. Aquino after 100 ABs was far ahead of anyone else since. Where is he now? Last year, Stephenson was being touted as the greatest thing since Johnny Bench. This year, half the folks here want to trade him. A few weeks ago, Senzel had finally turned the corner, the third baseman of the future. A couple of OF games, and he’s back to the IL. Bottom line, Reds fans, including many here, are impatient and fickle, jumping quickly from one hot player to the next. If there was a good team in the NL Central, we’d recognize that the Reds weren’t going to win it. But there isn’t. One other thing about Barrero’s playing time – if he isn’t going to play, you’re simply wasting a roster spot. BTW, the same is true of Hopkins who has mostly not played since his call up.
I agree with LDS. Jose Barrero is getting a raw deal from David Bell. It’s very odd. I think it’s something personal at this point. It just doesn’t make sense to start Jeff Newman every, single game.
As I have mentioned before, Newman has some value as a bench player, but certainly not as a starter. Even as a utility guy, Newman isn’t that valuable to the Reds. They have younger, cheaper options.
Agree LDS.
Barrero needs to play. Cincy or Louisville he needs to play every day. He’s still young enough and has enough talent to not be labeled a utility guy. Yet, he is being used that way. He may still be a very good starting shortstop in major league baseball. He won’t have that chance sitting on the bench anywhere.
He’s not even being used as a utility guy. He’s being used as a bench guy.
Beaufort correctly pointed out the negativity after a heckuva comeback and probably the biggest win of the season. Some of you on here are not fans but trolls. I would guess it’s less than 10% of RLN that wants Stephenson traded, most including me just want him at catcher only until his bat proves it’s worthiness to DH on a regular basis. Just trolls.
You know with the fact we have India, McClain, Steer, Votto eventually, Barrero might be part of a trade to help upgrade the pitching staff. I don’t think he has a ton of value though. We have to many guys who have already done more than Barrero has done at the MLB level.
100% agree.
David Bell, for whatever reason, personally does not like Barrero. He has always treated him with contempt for the 3 years Barrero has been in Cincinnati, and will not play him even if it helps the team. Barrero is absolutely a better hitter against RH pitchers than Newman, and with Barrero being younger, there is still room to potentially grow and become even better.
But I’ve resigned myself to the fact that Barrero’s days in Cincinnati are numbered. This very much reminds me of the Edwin Encarnacion/Jerry Narron situation, and it seems like Barrero will have to realize his potential on another team that will give him a chance. It’s just sad that the Reds allow a manager’s personal grudge against a player prevent that player from developing and potentially becoming an important piece of the future of the team. I guess some other team will reap the benefits of the Reds’ incompetence, just like with EE.
So, “it’s personal?” SMH
You guys are funny. Barrero is TERRIBLE. Bell probably wonders why he is even on his team. WORST HITTER IN THE GAME last season, and this season he is among the bottom 10%. STOP with this ridiculous Barrero addiction. The kid did not work out and he will never work out.
@BK
It’s not “now” it’s personal. I’ve been saying it’s obvious Bell personally does not like Barrero for 3 years. That’s pretty much the only explanation why Bell has treated him the way he has.
Or maybe it’s the fact he is barely ever hit above .220 or walked much. Even his defense this season has not been that great.
Totally agree on barerro. There is just no substitute for seeing live, in-game pitching- either in MLB or AAA. They may be working with him in the cage but it’s just not the same / just ask Joey Votto.
Barerro is simply too young and talented to give up on. Not nearly enough experience to say he can’t be a valuable member of the future. He is exactly the kind of player that would benefit from the automated strike zone.
@LDS, you’re right, Barrero should be sent to AAA to get everyday AB’s, and to play OF. He still has a good shot of sticking around with the Reds long term.
I will say this, you’re allowed to enjoy the W’s even if you don’t agree with all of the moves my the GM and Manager.
@MBS, I always enjoy wins against the Dodgers more than any other victory.
@LDS
LOL funny to see you to use the word data to defend Barrero but when Bell uses data to create lineups and pitching changes you never fail to criticize him when something goes wrong. And as for the data, Barrero 141 AB -.1 WAR, Newman 165 AB .4 WAR. I guess I’m not surprised that you are complaining about Bell playing the better player.
I wonder if the Reds are playing Newman so much because they hope to move him and pick up more young players? They did that with Tyler Naquin last year & got 2 minor league players – both are doing extremely well in A ball.
I agree Barrero should be sent to Louisville for some ABs – maybe he could be traded like Naquin was.
Fairchild beating out that infield hit was huge and emblematic if this team’s gritty attitude.
The post game celebration around Lecureand company was 5 deep on a Tuesday night and the party was on! Relentless energy all night and edlc did not disappoint. 101 games left to play and the Reds are in the thick of it. Fun, fun, fun
https://twitter.com/MihirSinhasan/status/1666272602329870342
Saw this posted on twitter and can watch it over an over all night long…
Finally got one of these comebacks. They had a lot of dribblers and chip shots that fell in, but they also have alot of youth & speed that factors in as well. At some point Stephenson will be hitting 7th-8th and that’s when they’ll really take off offensively. I just hope we have some pitching by then
Newman left ten men on base during his plate appearances. That cannot continue to happen!!
Also, does the League office review their umpires? Are they disciplined for their performances? I have wondered about that over the years.
They are graded by the league, but rarely are they sanctioned or disciplined for their performance…and even when they are it is not made public information. If Angel Hernandez and CB Buckner (both of which are the worst rated umpires in the league and have been for years) can keep their jobs there is little-to-no hope of upgrading. There is a website (name escapes me) that lists the grades given to each umpire.
Carlos Torres is, I believe, one of the newer umpires that came up as replacements for retirees. He is not a good caller of strikes but, then again, name me an ump lately who is.
BTW, if Doug doesn’t mind me suggesting it, I recommend reading the ESPN article about “historic payroll disparity” in baseball posted today. Eye-opening for me.
I think I read that as well. As far as I am concerned it feels like historic payroll disparity for a long long time now. If baseball was not such a great game…
Man, I almost wish Reds would bring back Strickland as the RLN whipping boy. Literally every column/thread on this board – no matter the context, win or lose – turns into a Newman whipping.
If the Reds win, it’s despite of Newman. If the Reds lose, it’s because of Newman. As an avid reader of this board, I’m begging y’all to come up with new material. PLEASE!!??
Anyway, beautiful comeback win by the Reds, loved every minute of it!!
+1000
Like I said, the biggest comeback of the year and people are complaining about Newman playing and Barrero’s at bats. Holy Cow
Newman’s playing time may be a function, at least partly, of injuries. Friedl and Senzel are injured and the Reds are thin in the the OF so dominoes fall: Steer plays left, Newman plays first. If he’s getting a lot of playing time against righties when Friedl and Senzel return and, particularly after the arrivals of CES and/or Votto, we’d have a better discussion.
I can be thrilled that EDLC has arrived, exuberant about a fantastic win, and disappointed that Newman is still getting at bats despite an OPS+ and negative WAR, all at the same time. Last year Kyle Farmer made sense on this team. This year Kevin Newman does not. But FWIW I was rooting for him every time he came up tonight, and bummed he took an unlucky bounce to the face. Because he is still a Cincinnati Red.
I know that hurt. He’s tough.
Some people have problems with multi tasking. They don’t understand that several things can be true at the same time.
I’ll try to help those that don’t get it.
Newman…good vs lefties, and as a part time player.
also….
Newman …not good vs. righties, nor playing every day.
Been out of town the last few days. Relieved to see that they finally brought up EDLC. Great comeback win last night. Hope their slow roll of EDLC and the continued, ridiculous decision to not bring up CES, doesn’t comeback to haunt them. If the end up two games out of the playoffs, the horrible personnel decisions in May might end up being the difference. Hope not but it could very well end up being the case. bring up CES asap. The man can hit!
FWIW…
What new baseball geekspeak statistic is that? ??
@Brayan… not sure if you are joking but FWIW is just text abbreviation for the phrase “for what it’s worth”, not a stat.
Newman has not hit righties well and he’s got some company, but he has had some very good games prior to recent clunkers and he generally brings competent, heady defense to the game whether he’s hitting or not. I agree that he’s a utility player–albeit a useful one–and expect that that is largely what his role will be when guys return from the IL or are called up.
I like Newman on the Reds…as long as his role is off the bench. He’s versatile and has a great attitude. Good teams have guys like him on their BENCH.
Agree 100%
You want some new material? In a game where the Reds had 17 hits and scored 9 runs, Newman was 0-5 with 10 runners stranded on base. Let me say that again, he stranded TEN runners on base. You can brush that off if you want and claim people should shut up about Newman, but I don’t know what to say if you think that isn’t worth pointing out.
*14 hits
14 hits and only 1 extra base hit although McLain’s walk off would’ve been extra bases and Benson’s hit was a rocket as well.
Great win!
Welcome to the show Elly De La Cruz.
The youth movement is on.
Really good night for the bullpen (non-Young division).
Terrible strike zone – time to promote the robo ump from Louisville.
1-6 on base 16 times. That’s good, right?
I’ve been advocating for more playing time for Barrero, but it’s clear that Bell and/or Krall just won’t do it. Newman now 2-21 this homestand and Barrero can’t get in the game even when Kevin has a face full of baseball. Send him back to AAA – they need a SS now – so he can get at bats. A total and inexcusable development failure.
Huge turnaround – back to 5 under .500 in third, instead of 7 under in 4th. And now looking for a series win against the (recently) first place Dodgers. Go Reds!
Get Friedl, CES, and Votto back and you’ve got:
India – 3B
Friedl – CF
McLain – 2B
De La Cruz – SS
CES – 1B
Stephenson – C
Steer – RF
Votto – DH
Fraley – LF
Now THAT’S a lineup. 🙂
Fraley 9th? He is the original Viking that gave this team some juice. I like him leading off personally
Mix it around if you want. No biggie. Good lineup either way. 🙂
Sorry to disagree but Votto does not belong with this bunch of young players. I would rather have Benson and Hopkins.
I would like to see Votto play well and have fun with these young guys. He’s been through a lot of tough times with this team.
This is sort of Votto’s Spring Training. Let’s give the future HoF player a couple of weeks to catch up with the players that have been at it for a few months now.
Yeah He’s not striking out a lot to begin with. That’s a good start.
There may be a platoon role for Votto on this team. But with his lack of speed and lack of positional mobility, that is questionable. I can not foresee Stephenson being benched on the days he doesn’t catch. CES muddies the waters even more. Now if he hits 275 with some pop, that is a different story. He basically must provide more value than the other non regulars as Senzel, Fairchild, Barrero, Benson, and Newman who offer more speed, youth, and versatility. The $25M salary remains an elephant in the room though.
Oh come on. Joey deserves the chance to be on this team. You have to see what his performance is like before we play Benson or Hopkins over him, a possilbe future hall of famer. Come on.
I’ve been looking at that lineup in my dreams for two months now.
Imagine Joey V hitting out of the 8 hole… NONE of those nine deserve to hit in the 9 hole, anyway
Votto is really struggling in AAA. Watching his at-bats last night he is back to the chopping-controlled swing again that has not been successful the last couple of years. There is a lot of young positive energy with the team right now and just would hate to take a roster spot (40 or 26) for someone who is part of the past and not the future. At some point someone needs to have a sit down with him, plan a graceful respectful endgame and move on.
I would agree sans rotate CES and Steer at 1b and DH and put Benson in RF. Not sure Steer is going to be long term fit in OF and do not need him on IL pulling a hammy doing something he is not used to doing. Also I do not know the facts on this, but, there is a lot of chatter that India does not have arm strength for 3b
Maybe move everyone down one spot except India. I like him leading off better and have Frailey bat 2nd. Yes, that means Votto bats 9th. Wow never thought I would say that.
What a game! What a win! The future looks good for the Reds. Some credit for David Bell tonight; he looked like an oldtime manager with that dramatic argument. That’s a quality I’ve often thought missing from DB as manager. Tonight also brought back memories of those intense Reds/Dodgers games during the BRM era when the Reds were somehow in the NL Western Division.
Yes it does. My Dad hated the Dodgers. I was right there with him.
Worse, Atlanta was in west. Crazy times!
Not only the Dodgers, but a lot of exciting games with the Braves back in BRM days.
Reds never seem to perform well against the Braves. Atlanta is my least favorite team in baseball including the Cardinals and Yankees.
Since Benson’s last call up he’s 7-21 with some absolutely blistered baseballs and has 3 walks to only 4 strikeouts. Also swiped 3 bags. Good for a 115 wRC+ in that period before tonight’s line drive single off the wall
He or Hopkins should be starting every day in the OF.
VaRedsFan, before you start ridiculing messages maybe you should realize that multitasking isn’t the ability to think or have several ideas at once, it is
A. the performance of more than one task at the same time
B. the execution by a computer of more than one program or task simultaneously
Although it may seem at times that thinking seems to be a task on this board, I would like to think that’s more the exception than the rule 🙂
Great win, so much fun to watch. McLain so far has been a wonder. Looks like a seasoned vet in the field and at the plate. EDLC did not disappoint and much like Mclain looked very comfortable and dealing with the excitement and pressure quite well especially laying off those off speed pitches in the dirt. Without being Captain Obvious too much, Reds can not expect to get down so many runs and win a many of those games. I will be fascinating to see at the trade deadline if the Reds can somehow hang on and are indeed well in contention for a playoff berth if management will make a significant trade or two for competent starting pitchers. It would mean having to dig into our minors because will not get too much for Fairchild, Newman, Myers and Casali if indeed they are traded.
I will say again, if the Reds can add on the edges this year to win a weak Central, then great. But it would be a terrible idea to trade any of the high end young guys in the system (from CES all the way down to the new Korean addition) to buy a rental for 2023.
They have tons of money to spend this winter and can solidify what is already here for a multiyear opportunity to win the World Series by adding everything they need (quality starting pitcher, high end outfield bat, and a couple of good relievers). They could be scary good.
Please don’t stray from the plan.
Agree 100%, no rentals for 2023. However, I would be in favor of trading for a very good starting pitcher with a few years of control. It’s far and away the #1 need for next year.
Exactly!
Hey GR. I was not advocating making trades just pondering a question. I tend to agree with you but it will be interesting to see what the Reds actually end up doing. If the are really in it and do nothing and fall short of the division crown or wild card then I wonder how the fan base at large will react? That would be a lot of pressure on ownership/mgmt.
+1000
Greinke and Chapman from KC would be a nice target. Neither will cost a lot in terms of prospects or money, and both would help this team out. You don’t get anything for free, but prospects are prospects. If you look at the trade calculators we wouldn’t need to trade anything in our top 15 prospects. 2 solid prospects in the 16 – 30 range plus another piece or 2 should do it.
Also why wait, make the move early, the longer you wait the harder it will be to comeback. 5 games on 5/7 is easier to comeback from than 5 games on 7/7.
It takes two to make a trade. The Royals would want to wait to keep butts in seats and to maximize trade value with contenders in July,
A lot of young guys in the Reds system outside of the Top 15 I don’t want them to trade.
They can buy what they need this winter… and we should hold them to it.
“… Why wait?”
Exactly the mindset that leads to peaks and valleys for small-market teams. Yes, the prospects in the minors are just prospects. But the talent at the A/Rookie levels is what we will need to augment, replenish and supplement the roster in 2025 and 2026.
The Reds have clearly demonstrated that waffling between strategies leads to occasional above average performance. Let’s try sticking with the strategy of building from within. That means you don’t trade quality prospects for short term gain, especially for a below .500 team.
Agree BK. The rest of base all has got to be noticing what’s happening in Cincinnati. Not Just ELDC, McClain, Abbott, and Steer, but the 3 pitchers last year, and India and Stephenson in 21. And the Reds have more of them who will be arriving in waves. Everybody knows and everybody wants their grubby fingers in the pie. Just say no.
The dynamic has changed. Yeah they want the money, but the best free agents want to win too. The writing is on the wall. The Reds can be dominant. Do not trade any young talent… not Hector, Acosta, Stewart or any of them.
@BK were in a valley, and that was made by trading away MLB players, and not signing FA to replace them. I don’t want to be the Rays, but even they trade from depth.
@Greenfield “Do not trade any young talent… not Hector, Acosta, Stewart or any of them.” prepare yourself for disappointment. A good A ball player doesn’t mean a good MLB player.
MBS, if you have 2 or 3 times more good A ball players than you need in the majors, then if only 1 out of every 2 or 3 truly pan out, you have one heck of a good ML roster.
There are as many guys in the minors who were high draft picks or expensive signings who’ve done nothing in the minors. Hendrick, Hines, Valdez, just to name a few who appear to have made no progress and will eventually be let go. For each of those if you have an Abbott, McClain, or ELDC, you are more than good.
That’s exactly my point, they don’t all pan out, so don’t hoard them.
I don’t think were going to see eye to eye on this. You never know when you have an opportunity at a playoff, so when you can realistically make a run, take it. I also am not endorsing moving pivotal pieces, but some nice long shots that a team would take for the last few months of a MLB’ers contract.
1.lefty Lodolo
2.righty Greene
3.lefty Williamson/Abbott
4.righty Ashcraft
5.lefty Abbott/Williamsen
WHY waste money on mid career has beens when we have this future!!! I mean, seriously!!
Because we still don’t know what we really have in our rotation. Ashcraft has had really high peaks and really low valleys. Lodolo has not had enough time in the big leagues to know for sure that we have with him. Greene might be the only guy I feel comfortable saying is a good MLB starting pitcher and even he has some flaws still. Abbott has one start in can’t measure that really, and Williamson seems like a #4 or 5 at best. We could use two good reliable starting pitchers.
CES is next. He’s just toying with AAA pitching. If they’re going to pitch EDLC like that then we need to give him protection. Maybe Fraley behind him when Freidl is back.
Terrible outing for Weaver considering the strike zone was huge with this ump. They can’t produce enough offense to cover these starters as is. They’ve got to improve. I think Lively atleast has a great baseball IQ if his command is on, but asking him to be your #3 and Abbott to be your #2 is a lot.
With the players currently on the team, this would be my lineup most nights:
2B India
RF Benson
SS McLain
3B EDLC
1B Steer
DH Fraley
C Stephenson
LF Hopkins
CF Fairchild (should be Barrero, but I doubt he’s ever going to play for the Reds again)
Once Friedl and Senzel are back and CES is up, then you run with this:
2B India
CF Friedl
SS McLain
3B EDLC
DH CES
LF Fraley/Senzel
1B Steer
C Stephenson
RF Benson
Weaver was consistently not getting calls on the first base side of the plate that were being called strikes for LA. Pretty sure that’s why Bell was so fired up over the strike Steer got.
Yeah, it was a tale of two cities (players) last night at AAA Bats. For one guy it was the best of times and for the other the worst of times. CES came up just a 3b short of a cycle and added in a BB with 0 Ks on the night. JoeyV was 0 for 5 but at least had only 1 K. Ramos hit the 2nd HR of his rehab. Also, Matt Reynolds and Chuckie had 2 hits each.
I am pulling for Joey; and, the Reds need a LH hitting power bat. However, I have a feeling he may be bringing a knife to gunfight compared to CES or even Ramos right now.
This team was already exciting to watch/follow/ As they are not bad. In saying that calling up the young players has a certain energy that I haven’t seen in awhile and that includes the 2020 and 2021 season.
Look at the O’s from last season with all their young talent, they almost made playoffs and this season are a very good baseball team. That is who the reds remind me of at this moment.
With the young core here and coming up I think you sign India to a extension and Stepheson as well. They in my opinion are the leaders and need to be with the Reds.
What a fun game lastnight
You have to remember the O’s moved their fences back 40 feet. Keeps the other guys in the ballpark and encourages your starters not to nibble.
Ah yes that is correct. Still they are fun to follow with their young talent.
I kinda wish reds would move fences back just a tad
@Kevin H, I am with you I would not mind if maybe they cut off 3 or 4 rows. Still hitter friendly but not most hitter friendly in the game.
Like most on here I watch the games every night. While Newman hasn’t got on base a bunch this home stand he has hit into some tough luck. He has hit quite a few at em balls lately and he gives you quality at bats. Was disappointed he didn’t get the run in last night with a guy on third and less then / outs. He has a role on this team, that being veteran utility guy.
Also I guess I’m a bit old school but if Barrera wants to see more PT then quit chasing curve balls a foot off the plate and quit getting yourself out when you get an opportunity. Playing time is not given it’s earned.
How is Barrero supposed to learn to quit chasing curveballs if he’s not given consistent ABs? That’s how you learn, by doing.
Professional sports are result driven. He should have learned a good portion of that in minor leagues. Players are paid to perform.if you don’t you’re replaced. You don’t get to blame the manager if you can’t stop swinging at bad pitches. In my opinion he has been given many opportunities to improve. He now is being bypassed by other prospects. Like many I would like to see him succeed. It hasn’t happened
He takes BP everyday. If he was capable of improving, he would have. Send him down and he can swing at balls in dirt all day. He is now third on SS depth card anyways.
@DK
Batting practice is no substitute for live pitching in a game. Just ask Joey Votto.
It could just be an attitude thing with JB, he may be sulking, or complaining, or any number of things. Those kind of things do not go over well well in a clubhouse, especially with coaches. He could also see all this young talent coming up behind him and be pressing, we do not know what is going on, but, a team sport based on individual achievment is a hard thing and you need all 25 guys working towards the same goal. As much as we would like to believe every team has every player doing that, it is not always the case. Sometimes, they are just trying to do too much, sometimes they are Tommy Pham.
Exciting! Is the Weaver start flying under the radar though? Is this or isn’t this a playoff contender in the weak Division? We currently have a rough starting pitching situation that in addition to the Ls is placing a terrible burden on the bullpen that doesn’t seem sustainable to me. Do we intend to address it or just ride it out and hope for improvement?
Hey Rob. Most posters in here I’ve read are opposed to making any kind of trades from our minors to get pitching help this year. So basically the question as I see is, if we lose out on the playoffs this year because our pitching staff fizzles out by years end was it worth it not to make any trades for decent pitching help? Will the fan base be okay with it? Just a quick count, may have left someone off but I see Reds SP as 10-13 in the W/L column. The team ERA ranks 27th out of 30. One of our best three is on the 60 day IL. A second seems to be coming off the rails leaving only Hunter Greene, Abbott, Williamson, Lively and Weaver. I am NOT advocating making trades just doing a little digging and posing an interesting question.
I am not one of these people that doesn’t want to trade some of our huge number of infielders in order to get some starting pitching help or even bullpen upgrades. You have to give up something good to get something good.
A really huge impressive win. Remember they’re playing one of the best team in baseball. One thing as interesting detail is that the group of McLain, EDLC, Abbott, even Hopkins have been recently playing in winner teams and they could carry that to the Reds.
By the way, McLain, Steer,Stephenson and EDLC with their performaces avoided the fact that Kevin Newman was really a game killer against the Reds so he had 5 ABs always with runners on base and he stranded all of them going 0-5 including a double-play.
I am really sore from an operation right now. So, all I can stand to type right now is. . .
How did they do that?
Heal well and quickly, Steve.
As to the “why” it’s a minor miracle. Persistence, some plate discipline, and Dodger pitchers who couldn’t find the strike zone with both hands, a flashlight, and a map.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
How? They kept getting on base and chipping away. One run per inning at a time. It was that simple. It allowed them to be within reach for a very exciting 9th.
Considering EDLC had a great debut, is it safe to say Bell will bench him in favor of Newman?
FWIW, if Bell was managing the 86 Reds, Larkin would likely have lost significant playing time to Tom Runnells…
He needed Steer or McClain or India. Your theory may need a bit of work.
He didn’t bench , correction to my post above. Sorry
Management or organization it doesn’t matter. Bell makes the lineup card and I’ve seen those guys thrive.
As a squadron commander I was in charge of recognizing talent and promote. You don’t produce you don’t get called on It’s about production.
Sorry that was for AMDG
I guess if you gonna blame Bell for Barrero’s development your have to give him credit for McClain, EDLC , Steer, Fraley, Friedl, Williamson and Abbot. I could even add India and Diaz. Even Benson is coming around. Like Jim t said it’s a results game and all these guys grabbed the opportunity and succeeded.
If a CEO gets placed into a leadership role of a successful company I’m not sure they get credit for developing it and building it from the ground up.
But if a CEO takes over a failing company and turns them around, then they do get credit for developing the company.
Many of the guys you mention (EDLC, Barrero, McLain, Abbott, etc.) came to Cincy after they were dominating AAA. So I’m not sure how Bell would get credit for inheriting guys who already developing?
Baseball isn’t the military and any analogies to our retired professions should be taken with a huge grain of salt.
It is a business, but it is nothing like any business some RLN wonks like to tout their own expertise in.
Making a correlation with poor personnel management by Bell (eg Barrero, Strickland, Newman, Farmer) and the positive performances of more gifted/prepared players is not the kind of ‘expertise’ we should see in the military or a successful startup.
Baseball is a game of constant development, regression, recovery, growth.
There’s nine guys on the team pulling for and with each other.
If the players read much of what is written here about “Performance!”
and “When I was leading……” they wouldn’t stop laughing.
I doubt that a MLB manager has much to do with player development. I also doubt that Bell or any other manager would be allowed to bury a young player unless the organization doesn’t consider him to be part of their plans. I doubt these things, but I don’t know them, just as nobody else here knows why Barrero’s situation is as it is.
Barrero should be sent down to get everyday playing time while CES must be brought up this week now that Steer is playing LF. Ultimately the line up should feature an OF of Steer, Friedl, and Fraley or Benson alternating as the DH/RF. Fairchild can alternate with Friedl. Senzel and Newman are extra infielders and both are trade bait for a starting pitcher along with Fairchild and possibly Barrero.
Infield settles with India at 3B, EDLC at SS, McClain at 2B and CES at 1B while Stephenson and Maille alternate at C.
Really not sure how Votto fits into this mix. If he cannot produce at a high level at AAA then I am not sure he will not hang it up. Ramos remains at AAA for now.
Legumina should replace Herget in the BP.
+1
Worth hanging in there to see the guys claw back into it. Taking advantage of the Dodgers is always fun to watch.
Got to win the first before you win them all, right?
https://twitter.com/i/events/1642430965711552514
https://twitter.com/i/events/1642430965711552514
A couple of nice clips of the walk-off last night. One the broadcast and one from the field….
Amazing energy in the ballpark last night. The core of the next great Reds team is nearly in place and I’m stoked. Nick Krall and company have without question nailed the rebuild……and frankly after a decade of losing my fandom was contingent on them getting this right. This team is entering a 5+ year competitive window given the controllable years of this core. Still on the to-do list:
1. Rearrange the infield–India to third, MM to 2b, EDLC at SS.
2. Call up CES to play 1b/DH.
3. Get Noelvi to Louisville, get him reps in RF.
4. Start handing out extensions like Halloween candy.
Freddie Freeman makes 27mil a year and if my calculations are correct the reds 26 active players salaries for this year total 27.3 million dollars.
Regarding the Freeman slam. My problem was with the pitch itself. Was it a terrible pitch? YES! First two pitches were not strikes and he flailed at them. 0-2, that pitch should not have been hit with a boat oar. This staff makes more 0-2 bad pitches than other teams in recent memory. If he makes that pitch on a 2-1 or 3-2 count, then I’d say it was not a bad pitch. But with that count – horrible.
I’d say never make that pitch ever to Freeman. Down and in to leftys are a no-no. That pitch was perfect for Freeman’s uppercut swing path.
In general you never want to throw lefties anything down and in.
I have said most left-handers keep the pitches up, most right-handers keep the pitches low.
Melvin, I like your lineup but I would have votto at first and CES would mostly be the DH. From what I saw he was not very good defensively in ST. But who cares. Let the man DH. We need power!
If not for some Dodgers miscues and Dodger manager pulling a Bell and sending out a lefthander to face three righthanders we probably don’t win the game.Great win anyway.
Any word on Fraley after the HBP? We can’t afford to be down another outfielder. I didn’t see any post-game updates on him.
Idk, I haven’t seen any updates. Would hate to lose him to the IL or worse have him not on the IL but unavailable for a few days. I despise the team’s willingness to play short.
Was wondering that. It wasn’t down at the carpal joints, but it hit him HARD. Not a whole lot of meat there to absorb it.
Just rewatched the 9th inning comeback recap. Sadak about lost his mind 😀
Still can’t believe we filled in that hole we dug. I was almost at Clete when Freddie hit the Slam.
I likely would have been, but I stuck around to watch more De La Cruz at bats. Thank goodness I did.
+500 the exact same reason I stuck it out. Didn’t even end up moving it back to the small screen on mute.
WKUCHAD …same. I was ready to leave after freeman’s grand slam. But I splurged for decent seats and didn’t want to waste the money. So glad I stayed.
With these comeback kids cleteing should only be allowed when down 8+ with 3 innings left. Make it so!
+500 I’d be in with a “rule” such as that
How bout an outfield tonight of Fraley, Benson, and Fairchild. Give Newman a night off for God’s sake.
Agree completely on Barrero. Let him get going vs diluted AAA pitching and build up trade value. As for trades, forget getting a starter. Too expensive and too hard to find. A versatile lefty reliever and/or a real setup man like Kendall Graveman could really help. The problem is only about 4-5 teams are actually out of it
I’d like Graveman, but like you said CWSox aren’t throwing in the towel yet.
Any word in Fraley, that hit by pitch looked painful. Hopefully it’s not a IL stint.
Lot of back and forth on Barrero v Newman. That was then, this is now.
All off-season and the first 8 weeks of the season, they were competing for and sharing SS. That ended when McLain was called up and now that EDLC is here, it’s gone forever. Barrero is not the Franchise SS. He is a Centerfielder against lefties. The Reds face Kershaw Thursday and Montgomery Friday. I suspect he will be in there. Newman is the infield utility guy and with Senzel on the IL and Votto and CES in AAA, he’s getting a long run to up his trade value. Newman likely will be traded art the deadline. He was brought here as filler at SS and that is now over.
Old friend Jose Siri hit a monster HR last night for the 44-19 Rays, who are the best team in baseball. Siri has 11 HR this year and OPS over .850 and still has great speed and great CF defense. Barrero is just 25 and has all the tools to be a good CF. Someone mentioned the Reds dont want to burn his last option, but if they wont play him in CF with Friedl hurt against any righties, just let him learn cF in AAA every day.
This. (Anyone need any Jose Garcia baseball cards – all auto lol?)
The thing is, though, Barrero has reverse splits. He hits better against RH pitching than he does against LH pitching.
I’m pretty sure Bell knows that, and I’m pretty sure that’s why Bell keeps throwing him out against lefties but won’t let him hit against righties. He’s setting him up to fail.
Now I’m dreaming. REALLY DREAMING. If Joe Burrow is thinking of taking less money to keep his arsenal in tact, I wonder if these young Reds would go to management and say “We want to stay together for ten years and we’ll take less than market value to win as much as possible. Together.”
Maybe Joey B, JaMarr, Tee, Sam and some other young Bengals should invite the Reds Kiddie Korps over for a Let’s Make Cincinnati Great Again Bar-B-Que….
I know, I know, but I can dream, can’t I?
Glad to see De La Cruz on the field. Go Reds!
Would you forgoe a raise so your coworker could have job security when your company is raking in the profits? That’s what you’re asking the players to do.
Regarding Barrero, it’s quite the conundrum for the Reds. The potential is evident, as is his improvement. Sending him to Louisville seems like the obvious solution, but he only has one option remaining. Thus, burning it this year could force a decision at the end of Spring Training, something the Reds likely want to avoid.
One solution would be to option him and recall him before he hits the 20-day mark. A player has to spend 20 days in the minors to “burn” an option. This tactic would allow him to get regular at bats for seventeen games in the minors.
Fairchild is in the same boat with only one option remaining, but he producing at a level commensurate with a good fourth outfielder. Both players offer quality depth for a good team; thus, there’s value in preserving their remaining options. Barrero offers a ceiling of an average to above average ML player at premium defensive positions (SS or CF).
I want both Barrero and Fairchild on my bench next year. Fairchild as #4ish outfielder and Barrero as a supersub.
I missed most of the game last night. Did Steer have any chances in left field? If so, how did he look?
He had one chance on a line drive and looked fine. I would say a moderate level of effort was required.
Thank you.
I would agree. He looked fine out there.
Oakland ahead of Pittsburgh 7-1 in the third inning today.
Haven’t heard or seen anything definitive… can anyone say if it is just a planned skip of Greene in the rotation?
He was skipped on Monday for Abbott with a tight hip muscle and delayed till this Sunday to give him time. Bell said they would have a 6 man rotation at least twice.
Thanks
Line up is out. Frayley is playing batting 1st.
EDLC is playing SS with McClain D/H and Newman playing 3rd
Barrero still in the dog house. It’s not like David Bell to leave anyone on the bench this long no matter how bad they’re hitting. He’s played some hitting a lot worse.
Speculation but wonder if Barrero refused to play cf? I have no clue or anything, however it is odd he is just not playing
Was at the game in Section 113 along the 3B line. Electric and fun atmosphere. They’ll sell some tickets if the Redfs keep running out the youngsters
Barrero not in the line up again. Makes one wonder what is up. Could be alot of things, but to simply stop playing Barrero is odd to me.
Something must have happened behind the scenes. Something personal. Objectively, there is simply no reason to sit Barrero on the bench for a whole week.
Barrero has a grand total of 6 ABs in the month of June, and the month is about 1/4 over now. Bell has always treated Barrero poorly, but this is a new low even for him.
We may disagree at times, however your spot on. It goes against the norm of the beginning of the year, heck even into mid May.
Makes no sense at this point.
Right wrong or indifferent, Bell sticks to his methods and makes his lineups out ahead and handedness is in his DNA for some playersJose Barrero is the Centerfielder against left handed pitching and is no longer a shortstop or plays against RH pitching. Dem’s Bell’s rules. Reds havent faced a lefty since Chris Sale, the last time barrero was in the lineup. Reds face back to back lefties tomorrow and Friday in Kershaw and Montgomery and Barrero will be in the line up in CF and Fraley and Benson will not.
There’s nothing personal and Barrero didnt do anything.
I’m willing to bet you’re wrong.
When Barrero is on the bench tomorrow against Kershaw, what will the reason be then?
Then I would be incorrect.
Except Barrero is actually a better hitter against right-handers than left-handers and he is better against righties than Newman. So, if that is the theory, then Bell’s supposed use of analytics (which I don’t believe based on how he manages) takes another hit.
Bell has never paid much (if any) attention to the stats that actually matter most. The stats that matter most to him are whether a guy is left handed or right handed, and how much money a guy is being paid. After carefully considering those two stats he thinks about other stats, but they’re all of relatively little importance.
Hopkins isn’t in the lineup. Why call him up if he isn’t going to play. Ugh
That has been a pattern in the past. Maybe it’s HDTBell’s “hand fetish” which probably makes sense given Benson and Fraley are at the corners and the 14-year-old is in CF.
Its a funny thing w/Fairchild. Some on RLN want him DFA while others commend Senzel for having such a solid season. They’ve got the same #s basically?
Stewie has 216 at-bats as a Red, hitting .250 (.352 obp) with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 hrs, 25 walks, 9 hbp, and 7 steals. He also was the fastest Red until EDLC. Idk? He Ks way too much, but I like him for some reason
@ Indy…you nailed Adam Duvall so gotta give you that. Fairchild is a solid back up 4th/5th OF. Hes not an everyday guy. The fact his splits are equal harms him, not helps him. That just spells mediocrity to slightly below avg. Hes fine in 2023 on this Reds team when Senzel is hurt again, Myers is hurt and stinks, Benson had a horrific spring, Fraley cant hit lefties and friedl is hurt. At some point though, you need a regular 4 man OF with big time power at the corners and elite speed and athleticism in CF
Well, he is now because Fraley got scratched due to the wrist