Reds March/April 2025 thread

[*bengalfan74*]

(03-31-2025, 02:10 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: Hays will be back shortly. Not concerned yet . . . and I still think Francona will force a move or possibly two well before the trade deadline, if needed.


I agree, and not only Arroyo, but some of the other Spring Training shortstops were playing well and hitting the ball hard.
Pitelli 4 for 13 and 2 HRs was at AA last year.
Stafura 3 for 6 with a homer. At single A last year.
Looking up their stats, I found this small Mark Sheldon article about them from last June including a bit on Blake Dunn.
https://www.mlb.com/news/dominic-pitelli-sammy-stafura-impressing-in-reds-minor-league-system
Former Reds SS prospect Jose Barrero hit .188 for the Texas Rangers AAA team last year and is now playing for the Cardinals AAA squad. There was a time where Barrero, Stephenson, Ervin and Senzel were going to save us.

My preferred field players when Steer is healthy
1B Encarnacion-Strand - this guy just oozes a quiet confidence that most young players don't possess
2B Lux/Espinal
3B Steer - it's where he came up as a rookie and he never looked overmatched
SS McLain
LF Hays
CF Friedl
RF De La Cruz

De La Cruz would be great in Centerfield, but, until they get a true gun in the outfield, his outstanding arm is needed for RF. If Hays has a strong arm, then move Elly to CF and Friedl to LF. TJ's arm is WAAAY too weak for RF.

I've been pounding the table to put Elly into RF or CF for a year now. It just makes perfect sense. Speed and range to track down fly balls, cannon arm to get ball back in the infield quick. I don't know but I'm assuming Elly is wanting to stay at SS. I figured Francona would move him first thing. All the errors

Perhaps Francona just wants to slowly adapt him out there so as not to upset the applecart so fast?