Diversification The Key To Reds Roster Improvement

  

Both general manager Nick Krall and manager David Bell are proponents of moving players to different positions to get bats in the lineup.

The Reds recent history has shown that the outfield is a solution to position gluts like the Reds are experiencing in the infield.

Nick Senzel was moved from his college position at third base to second base and ultimately to center field to help him crack the lineup.  Jose Barrero was moved to center field as well.  Even Jonathan India was moved from his natural position of third base to second base to put him in position to become the Rookie of the Year in 2021. 

Now through trades, India is one of the crowded infield which has too much offensive talent to be "type cast" by their current defensive position. 

Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand joined India, Spencer Steer, Senzel, moved back to third base and Barrero, who played 26 games at shortstop before being sent to Louisville. It is believed by some in the Reds' organization that Steer's best position is second base. Highly regarded Edwin Arroyo is waiting in the wings.

Both Steer and Encarnacion-Strand appeared at third base and first base. Newcomer Jeimer Candelario played 115 games at third base and 26 at first base last season.

Steer played 47 games in the outfield last season and 16 at second base.

Elly De La Cruz at 6'5" doesn't have the body type of a typical shortstop.  His speed and arm, with throws clocked at over 100 mph, make him an intriguing choice to move to the outfield, following the precedent of Billy Hamilton. India could also handle the transition.

We will see this spring training in Goodyear, Arizona what the Reds have in mind. Spring training is obviously the best place to experiment with new positions.  Senzel has moved on to ease the glut somewhat but the infield remains crowded. Another trade is possible too. India has been named in trade talks for months.

Right now the outfield is in good hands too.

Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Wil Benson and Stuart Fairchild played well during the 2023 season. Rece Hinds, Nick Martini and Jacob Hurtubise are on the 40-man roster. Alan Cerda in addition to minor league player of the year Blake Dunn and 2020 first round pick Austin Hendrick are also knocking on the door.

The Reds have a pleasant problem with an abundance of talent among its position players. The DH and diversification is the key to getting productive offensive players on the field.

Brent Suter Returns Home To Help Reds Moeller HS Grad Extends Legacy

  

Brent Suter would make the short drive from his east side, Cincinnati suburb to cheer on his hometown Reds.

The Moeller High School star had dreams of playing for the Reds like fellow grad Ken Griffey Jt.  Although he was born too late to play alongside the Hall of Fame, Suter is going to Goodyear, Arizona to play for yet another Moeller grad, David Bell, the Reds' manager.

If and when he makes an appearance for the Reds, Suter will be the seventh Moeller Crusader to play for the Reds, joining Griffey Jr, Buddy Bell and Mike Bell, Barry Larkin and Stephen Larkin, and most recently Philip Diehl.

Two others, Andrew Brackman and Adam Hyzdu played in the Reds organization. Five others have played in major league games.

Moeller has nine Ohio State Division One championships. The won the state title in 1972, 1989 with David Bell, 1993 with Mike Bell, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2023.

Suter was on the 2008 team that lost in the state semi-finals.

"It is a dream come true to pitch for the Reds," Suter told the press when he signed on January 13 for one season and a club option for 2025.

Suter, 34, is expected to make an impact on the Reds' 2024 bullpen as a left handed pitcher, who gets weak contact with his location and mastery of off speed pitches.

The former Crusader was a 31st round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of Harvard University.

In seven seasons with the Brewers, Suter won 36 games and lost 19 in 196 games, starting 39 of them.  He has one save to his credit and has averaged just shy of two innings per appearance (1.8) with a 3.49 ERA.

He has racked up 393 strikeouts (7.6 per 9 innings) with just 123 walks (2.4 per 9 innings).  Just as important for pitching in the launch site at Great American Ball Park he has allowed 55 home runs over 464 innings of work. Toss out the 2018 season in which he made 18 starts and pitched a career-high 101 1/3 innings, and the lefty has allowed just 37 home runs or .01 per nine innings.

Last season in hitter haven Coors Field, the new Red, allowed three home runs in 69 1/3 innings. He was 4-3 and made two starts over 57 appearances with a 3.39 ERA.

Suter will compete with fellow southpaws Sam Moll and Alex Young to pitch out of the Reds' bullpen. 

Suter is not just a baseball player. He is a community leader, who was the Brewers nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for philanthropic and humanitarian efforts from 2020 to 2022.

He supports the Urban Ecology Center, Eco Athletes, Players for the Planet and the Outrider Foundation.  Suter helped start Sidelining Carbon which has a goal of offsetting sports related carbon emissions in 2020.

The 6'4", 228 pound Harvard grad has a degree in environmental science and public policy

He has written a children's book "The Binky Bandit" which is based on his dog, Wally, who had a bad habit of stealing his baby's pacifier.

Suter's father, Mike, was a safety on Penn State's 1982 national championship team. His mother Shirley earned four letters on the Nittany Lions' swimming team.

As a hitter Suter owns a home run, hit off Corey Kluber of Cleveland on May 8, 2018.