05-28-2023, 11:20 AM
(05-28-2023, 08:10 AM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: I've said, since India's rookie year, he's a #2 or #3 hitter, not a leadoff hitter. He didn't "take off" his rookie year because Bell inserted him at lead off . . . he "took off" because Max Schrock was in the process of taking his job from him. He was about to be sent down because he was still way too cautious at the plate when Schrock had calf issues. So he stayed up and Bell moved him to leadoff. After watching Max Schrock successfully attack pitches early in the count, India started getting more aggressive and much more confident at the plate and the rest is history.
Friedl is awesome as a leadoff hitter. He should be batting leadoff everyday, not just against righties. Bell drives me crazy with that shit. I get the righty/lefty thing, but show some feel for the game once in awhile. Have faith in your guys to buck a trend every now and then.
BUT . . . this may come as a shock to all of you . . . I will give Bell credit, yes, credit, for a couple of things. Putting McClain in the starting lineup on day 1 and also for putting him right in at #2 in the batting order. Screw that #7 or #8 in the order until you show me that you can play in this league . . . show me right now that we can rely on you. Good move by Bell. One of the announcers mentioned McClain reminds them of Jose Altuve . . . yep. That is exactly who I think of when watching him at the plate. They both have a "Bring it, *****" approach to the at bat.
I was really, REALLY happy for Casali for getting some RBI hits the last two games. I hope that the Reds don't screw up and dump him because of his bat. He's too valuable for this team. He caught Hunter's great game and Williamson's third start. With this very young pitching staff, he's just too damn important right now. Stephenson is too green to handle them and Maile's pretty good, but Casali seems to keep things calm and in control better than both. Great sacrifice bunt, too.
Does anybody really want Joey Votto back at this point? Steer and Stephenson are playing just fine at first base and I'm more interested in watching both of them bat than I am about watching Votto. A lot of guys are looking more comfortable at the plate but those at bats are going to dry up. Votto's return and the soon to arrive rookies are going to lead to a crowded outfield. Ramos, Fairchild, Benson, Myers and Newman are going to be on the outside looking in or DFA'd . . . De La Cruz and CES aren't going to be bit players. They're going to be starting and Marte' might not be far behind. Senzel and India might be heading to the outfield and Senzel's 3rd base play might just be for showcasing him for a trade for pitching. Fraley might be another player on the move to make room for the kids. They need at least one set up man and getting two solid late inning relievers would do a lot for this young team that's about to get younger.
I think a Votto return threatens Stephenson more than anyone. TySteve hasn't regained his pop after the shoulder injury, and he's not on Casali's level when it comes to handling pitchers. The difference when Casali is in there is pretty amazing. He doesn't hit much, but what he provides for the young staff might be more important.
Stephenson loses even more value when you put him at first or DH. He's a plus-hitting catcher when he's whole, but he's not that special as a DH or 1B. If both Votto and CES come to Cincinnati ready to play, it would be damn near criminal to take time away from Steer. He's quietly putting together one of the better rookie campaigns in MLB. He should hit cleanup daily until he gives a reason not to.
Also hate to move Senzel from 3rd. They may have to, but he's been a revelation there.
If EDLC and CES came to the big league club, there will be a lot of decisions to make. Votto is even more of a wild card. I'm okay with giving him a victory lap, but iff they hang around and contend for the division, he needs to be hitting to stay in there.
All that said, this is an amazingly good situation to be in for this team. We're seriously talking about them having too many good position players in a year that some thought would be a near 100 loss season. Krall might have actually done this rebuild the right way. If the talent in the minors continues to live up to hype, then this rebuild is a lot less Pittsburgh and a lot more Houston.
