CHICAGO – Shogo Akiyama has remained upbeat and professional as he spends most games on the bench, but there is nothing easy about it.
Akiyama has started only five games since he was activated from the injured list on May 7, the odd man out among the outfielders.
This is a player who was the Cincinnati Reds’ most consistent hitter last September when they made their playoff push. He started 825 consecutive games in Japan before signing with the Reds, so it’s an unfamiliar position.
He’s behind Tyler Naquin on the depth chart for center field as Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker start in the corners. He understands it, but he’s a competitor, too.
“As a player, I have to be playing every day,” Akiyama said, according to team interpreter Luke Shinoda. “But asking myself, looking at the performances that all three outfielders are doing, I wouldn’t even be sure if I would use myself too for starting every day. That’s just the reality and that’s the situation we’re stuck in right now.”
The tough part for Akiyama is that he’s had moments where he played well. In a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies, Akiyama had six hits in 13 at-bats with two runs and two RBI.
More:Amir Garrett after Cincinnati Reds slide in standings: 'We'll be all right'
After the series finale against the Rockies – when Akiyama produced the first three-hit game of his career – he’s garnered 13 plate appearances in 12 games.
When he works on his swing in batting practice and in the cages, he doesn’t know whether a certain tweak will lead to sustained success at the plate until he can play regularly.
“It’s more noticeable playing in the game and seeing those results,” Akiyama said. “Right now, it’s just hard to see that."
Akiyama missed the first month of the season after he injured his hamstring in spring training. He returned to a crowded outfield. Nick Senzel, when he was healthy, was already beginning to spend more time in the infield to accommodate Naquin in center.
Naquin provides some much-needed power in the middle of the lineup with Senzel, Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas on the injured list.
“Shogo’s just working really hard to stay ready,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s never been in this role before, and he’s finding ways during this time when he’s not starting games to get better as a player. You’re not going to see it in one game here and there. It’s going to take more consistent playing time. I know that’s going to come for Shogo.”
Akiyama entered Sunday with only 188 career at-bats. He’s still adjusting to Major League pitching. Changing when he picked up his front foot in the batter’s box, a timing adjustment, led to his improvement last September.
He drilled a double to the left-field wall at Great American Ball Park during a pinch-hit at-bat last week, which was encouraging for a guy who didn’t show much power last year.
“The ballpark is small, honestly,” Akiyama deadpanned, showcasing his self-deprecating humor. “I think the main thing is that even if I do get a good hit there, the next at-bat is a couple of days later. Even if I am going into a good direction, I don’t even know if I am able to keep that or if I am going in a bad direction. Going back to my point earlier, it’s just me getting those at-bats.”
More:'Just me being comfortable': Why Nick Castellanos wants to emulate old-school stars
Akiyama, the first Japanese-born player in Reds history, knows he needs to be ready for his next chance at extended playing time. He’s active with his pre-game work, taking live reads in the outfield and running the bases during batting practice.
He’ll take more swings after games because he’s “filled with energy left in the tank.” It’s hard to force his way into the lineup when he’s primarily pinch-hitting, but that’s his focus.
“I just hope,” Akiyama said, “this becomes a good experience that I could use later on.”
Source link
