The Reds will need an outfielder to replace Chris Heisey, who strained his left oblique.
Hermida has the most experience and nearly made the team out of spring training as the left handed bat off the bench. He had very good numbers at Louisville mid season. He has tapered off some but can hit with power. He is not a great fielder but is competent.
Dave Sappelt could also get the call he was a low draft choice from Coastal Carolina but has plenty of speed and surprising punch for a little guy. He is about 5'9". He reminded Dusty Baker of Jimmy Wynn the Taft High School star from the 60's. Baker also compared him to Larvell "Sugar Bear" Blanks.
Sappelt had a great spring after tearing through the Reds organization while being named minor league "Hitter of the Year." He hit .564 with pop. Sappelt could be the leadoff hitter the Reds need. He needed a year at Triple A to work on defense and baserunning. His baserunning judgement is suspect in spite of his speed. He doesn't have a great arm and needed to learn how to take better routes to the baseball.
Sappelt was hitting in the .340 range early in the season for the Louisville Bats but spent time on the DL and is hitting .313 now.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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