The Cincinnati Reds have a leadoff problem, and they’re well aware of it.
As TJ Friedl struggled through one of the worst stretches of his (or anyone’s) career, we watched as manager Terry Francona lightly shuffled his lineup over the weekend as the Reds eschewed their recent 8-game losing streak and managed to win the series over Houston on Sunday. Will Benson, who has been hot enough to carve out a more permanent role in the lineup against RHP, was moved to the top of the order, and Spencer Steer
– himelf on a heater since a slow start – jumped up to hit 2nd.
Right now, Reds leadoff hitters own just a 65 wRC+ collectively this season. That’s the worst mark among leadoff hitters in the sport. They rank last in slugging (.272) and last in OPS (.576), too.
It’s an especially impermissable problem given that the last few weeks have seemingly unlocked several hitters who profile as guys who could actually drive some guys in, if given the chance. Steer has hit .274/.346/.504 (.850) since a brutal 5-game stretch to start the season. Nate Lowe stepped in and showed that his bat simply has to be in the lineup against RHP, and the back of his baseball card over the last 8 years show that, too. Geno Suarez was brought in for big hits in big spots, and he’ll be back within a week if all things go according to plan on his rehab stint. And, there’s Sal Stewart, who despite his recent slump remains a bat you simply dream about having up with runners on base and in position to score.
Benson may be fine as a mix and match guy up top for the time being. He’s been prone to streakiness, and when he’s hot he’s as hot as anyone, and riding that right now may not be the worst decision of all time. However, I just can’t get over the fact that the Reds, right now, have a 24 year old star with 40/80 upside, elite speed when given the chance to run, and an on-base percentage that’s above league average who they just…won’t…give the most PA possible.
When Mike Trout first cut into the big leagues, he was a leadoff hitter, once stealing 49 bags while also swatting 30 homers – he also twice got over 700+ PA in those early years. It was a similar story with Hanley Ramirez when he first broke in with the Marlins, twice swiping 50+ bags in 700+ PA seasons, with one featuring an elite 145 OPS+. As early as tomorrow, the Atlanta Braves are going to activate Ronald Acuña, Jr. off the injured list, and when they do, they’re going to the originator of the 40/70 club in his customary spot atop the order.
Elite power/speed guys simply do not show up often. We’ve seen enough of Elly through his early career to know exactly how devastating he can be when he gets on base, especially when there’s a lineup behind him capable of buying him time to get to 2B. He can score from anywhere, as the Milwaukee Brewers well know, and other teams across the baseball landscape sure seem to be emphasizing that those skills deserve as many chances as they can get each and every day. After all, the top spot in the lineup comes to the plate a good number of times more often over the course of a full season than does the #3 spot.
The Reds offense needs a spark in the worst of ways. They’ll get a little of that when Geno gets back, surely, assuming Francona doesn’t bottle it by giving too many PA to others across the infield. In Elly, they’ve got the single biggest spark in the game…if they could just figure out how best to deploy him.
Right up top, I say. Hit Elly De La Cruz in the leadoff spot.
