Shogo Akiyama and Shohei Ohtani Square Off As Reds Look at Young Players.

Shogo Akiyama and Shohei Ohtani were in the same game a novelty that won't occur during the regular season but may in a World Series should both teams have hot seasons.  The Reds went down to defeat 7-3 but more important was getting a look at young players in new positions. 

The Reds got a look at Jose De Leon, who was once a top pitching prospect for the Dodgers and then the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The Reds spent little to acquire the 27-year old.  They sent cash and a player to be named to Tampa Bay this winter, hours before the Rule V draft.

The Reds are looking at him as a starter in Louisville or for a longer relief bullpen role in Cincinnati.

De Leon went 806 calendar days between May 2017 and August 2019 between appearances.  He had a lat problem in in Los Angeles and "Tommy John" surgery in March 2018 and didn't return until August.  He made three appearances for the Rays last season.

De Leon faced a star-studded lineup featuring Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

He gave up singles to Rendon and Pujols in his 2/3 innings.  He walked Trout after getting him to swing and miss early in the count.  He hit Ohtani in front of Pujols' two-run single.

Results for the inning wasn't a concern for De Leon.

"My arm feels amazing; to be honest." De L:eon said.  "It's February 25th.  I couldn't elevate the fastball enought to put away guys.  It was good to get out there for my first start with the Reds.  I awa getting strikes early in the count. I couldn't execute the put away pitch.  I will work on that."

Itr was his first game with the Reds and he faced a tough lineup.

"If you think about the lineup and who they are before you go out there, you have no chance," De Leon said.  "It doesn't matter who steps up, you have to execute pitches."

The Angels scored two runs on the board in the second and third innings. A miscommuication between Ariseteds Auino in center field and Akiyama in left put runners on base, who scored when Scott Schebler over ran a fly to right by Rendon that fell for a two-run single.

"Ohtani is a Japanese player who had success,: Akiyama said through interpreter Luke Shondin.

The Reds want to take a good look at De Leon.

"He's got good stuff.  He's talented. It is not like he came out of nowhere.  He's done it before," David Bell said.  "We're lucky to have him."

David Bell wanted to see Akiyama in left and Aquino in right.  Last year he didn't want to confuse Aquino who gained confidence the last two months of 2019.  It has been awhile since Akiyama played in left field.  The miscommunication is something that can be ironed out in spring training.

"It was a great experience," Akiyama said.  "We used routine tactics. He (Aquino) called the ball first. I didn't play left a lot, hardly any.  It is really different."

"They both need to get some time out there.  Shogo has played some in left but it's been awhile. The same for Aquino, he needs more time in center.  He got a couple good breaks on balls.  He needs more time."

Jose Garcia hit two home runs for the Reds.  The shortstop hit two balls over 400 ft.

Garcia, 21, was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2017 as a 19-year old.  He's pleyed two years in the organization.  He hit .280 with eight home runs and 37 doubles last year in Daytona.  He was named the Reds' minor league hitter of the year. Garcia is a non-roster player who they want to take a good look at this spring.

"He's fun to watch.  He's a talented young player," Bell said.  "We will make sure he gets plenty of time this spring.