I Was Wrong

A couple weeks ago I gave my predictions for how the National League would play out, including how the Cincinnati Reds would be throughout the season. I said that they would finish above .500 and compete for one of the playoff wildcards, and how did they respond to my predictions? By getting off to the worst start since Hoover was president. The team that has so much young talent has come out flat and listless with a 2-13 record. This week I plan on discussing the ways I feel they can right the ship and where they can still end up at season’s end.

They have struggled with a little of everything in the first couple weeks but the part that worries me is their offense. The team that surprised a lot of people last year with the effectiveness of their offense has come out very lackluster hitting just .228 as a team. The only thing keeping the lineup from being dominant last year is the lack of pitching but both seem to be failing this very young team. The loss of Suarez to the lineup cannot be an omen of good things for the team, but it could potentially allow us to see the heralded third baseman Nick Senzel from the University of Tennessee. This kid was drafted number 2nd overall in 2016 and can be a major player for the Reds. At the time of the blog publication, the rumors are circulating that the call-up is coming.

Even with the possible addition of Senzel, for the Reds to be where they should be the lineup needs a recharge. Allowing Votto and Duvall to be effective with runners on base is major in helping give the offense a jolt. Scooter Gennett has been great in the role he has taken on since coming over from the Brewers and can really be of great help if allowed to be. Gennett is leading the team in hitting with a .317 average currently. Billy Hamilton has greatly underperformed in the early weeks of the season and has to be a vital part of the offense getting back on track. His speed and baserunning can change outcomes of games, but for him to do that he has to be getting on base regularly. Hamilton’s role from the 9th spot in the order is to help get more opportunities for the middle of the order guys but he has to cut down the strikeouts. Hamilton currently has 16 strikeouts in 44 at-bats which is way too high for a hitter who uses speed to be effective.

This season is far from over by any means but if the Reds continue the trend of which they are currently on then it could mean an ugly personnel change offseason. Manager Bryan Price may be lucky to finish out the month if improvement cannot be seen and that would mean a complete change in coaches something that has honestly been overdue for Cincinnati. However, they can still right the ship and compete for the National League wildcard the direction Cincinnati is headed breeds no confidence here.