In 2019, when outfielder TJ Friedl was in his second season in Double-A in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, he stopped choking up on the bat, moved to an upright, open stance and started trying to hit the ball in the air more often.
He was trying to become a power hitter. But Friedl, who’s 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, didn’t have success when he tried to change who he was. He hit .235 with five home runs in 65 games in 2019, and he learned the lesson that helped get him to the big leagues.
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“I’m a guy who gets on base,” Friedl said. “This is the kind of player I am. There were times that I’d change my swing to try to be a different player. In reality, I needed to accept who I am as a player. I went through a pretty tough time trying to find myself. Once I did, it has been great.”
On Sunday, Friedl was the Reds’ leadoff hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Nick Senzel on the injured list, Friedl has received an opportunity to play every day for the first time in his young career.
He’s currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 30 prospect in the Reds organization, and Friedl is one of the only position player prospects the Reds currently have contributing at the Major League level.
Since David Bell became the Reds manager in 2019, Bell said Friedl has “grown on (him)” as much as any other player.
“He's not super flashy or anything, so I love that about him,” Bell said. “It just took a while to see the consistency and everything he does. That's why I said he grows on you over time. It's a very positive thing.”
This offseason, with Friedl right on the brink of breaking through as a consistent big leaguer, he didn’t search for a major adjustment at the plate. He had a good 2021 season in Triple-A, hitting .264 with 32 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases. Friedl made his big league debut last September and picked up nine hits in 31 at-bats.
Friedl said that stretch in the big leagues last season gave him even more confidence in his identity as a player.
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“Those guys behind me, I get on base so they can hit home runs,” Friedl said. “I score the runs. That’s the type of player I am. Mostly, it’s my hard work and my hustle on the field and off the field. Doing anything I can to help the team win. Whether it’s getting on base, stealing a base, laying a bunt down, knowing my role and my job, I want to get that job done to help the team win.”
Friedl said the play he took the most pride in during 2021 was a run he created on the bases. Last September against the Pirates, Aristides Aquino hit a ground ball that was bobbled by the second baseman. Friedl started the play on second base, and he saw the ball roll into the outfield. He sprinted home and slid around the catcher for the game-winning run.
Friedl was one of the best baserunners and defenders in the Reds’ minor league season, and he impressed Bell with his patient approach at the plate.
“(I needed) to see him over a long period of time to be able to really appreciate how good of a player he is, both in the field and the type of at-bats he takes to help you win games,” Bell said. “He grinds out at-bats, goes deep into counts. His ability to walk. He's got pop in his bat.”
Over the last year, Friedl said he has settled into the batting stance that he hopes to use for the rest of his career. Instead of trying to elevate the ball, Friedl is using a “no-stride, simple swing” that helps him get on base.
Friedl said he’s doing a better job “centering himself at the plate,” and the results helped get him the opportunity to hit leadoff for the Reds.
“There’s a lot of times you can put so much pressure on yourself, say that you’ve got to make the most of every opportunity and do everything you can,” Friedl said. “In all reality, you’ve just gotta play your game. I just have to know my role and what I do to help the team win. The big thing for me this year is to be who I am.”
ROSTER MOVES: Before Sunday’s game, the Reds designated right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger and selected reliever Joel Kuhnel’s contract from Triple-A.
The Reds had claimed Dugger earlier in the week, and he threw three innings in Saturday’s doubleheader. Kuhnel pitched for the Reds in 2019 and 2020 and then missed a year due to a shoulder injury, but he worked his way back to MLB.
“He’s had success here and pitched really well while he was here,” Bell said. “Then he had the injury, and it’s such a long road back. It was so nice to see. You could tell in spring training that he was back and was throwing well and healthy.”
PLAYER UPDATES: Reds reliever Justin Wilson is on the 10-day injured list with elbow soreness, and Bell said Wilson has not started throwing yet.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto and center fielder Nick Senzel remain on the COVID-19 IL, and Bell said they both will remain out for “some days.”
“I don’t know exactly how long,” Bell said.
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