Jonathan India is the favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year, but he’s proven he deserves consideration for the most valuable player on the Cincinnati Reds’ roster.
He’s failed to reach base in 11 games since he was moved to the leadoff spot on June 5. The Reds are 4-7 in those games and averaging only 2.45 runs.
More:'Our goal is to get him healthy': Nick Senzel returned to the injured list after demotion
“I love that feeling where my team depends on me,” India said. “If I get on, we’re going to win. It’s a good, good feeling. It doesn’t put pressure on me. it makes me feel more confident at the plate. It makes me feel like I’m a big part of this team.”
India is batting .294 with a .410 on-base percentage in 66 games as the Reds’ leadoff hitter. He’s scored an MLB-high 59 runs – one of only two players with more than 50 runs scored since June 5 – and he ranks fourth in OBP behind Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper.
When India went hitless in the final two games against the Chicago Cubs earlier this week, the Reds were held to one run in each loss.
“I’m learning those 0-for games really don’t matter,” India said. “To me, if they really mattered, I wouldn’t be playing well. If they were stuck in my head, I wouldn't be who I am right now.
More:'Oh, there's Joey again': Joey Votto powers Cincinnati Reds to a win with another homer
“I kind of just move on really quickly and step into the box again and start over. That’s kind of how I look at it. The 0-for games happen to the best. It’s just part of the game, so I just move on.”
India owns a .426 on-base percentage when he’s leading off an inning, which is critical when he has players like Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos and Joey Votto hitting behind him.
He reached base three times Thursday and scored twice in the Reds’ 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins.
“What more can you say about Jonathan?” Reds manager David Bell said. “He's so tough.”
FIELD OF DREAMS: Major League Baseball formally announced the Reds will play the Chicago Cubs in next year’s Field of Dreams game on Aug. 11, 2022 in Dyersville, Iowa. It will be nationally televised on FOX.
More:Reds notes: Jesse Winker may be out until September with injury
“The Cincinnati Reds are excited to be part of MLB at Field of Dreams in 2022,” Reds president Phil Castellini said. “Following the outstanding presentation of last week’s inaugural game between the White Sox and Yankees, it’s an honor to represent Reds Country as the home team in next year’s game.”
BACK SOON: Tejay Antone pitched in back-to-back games on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and Thursday. The next step is another rehab appearance Sunday and then rejoining the Reds’ bullpen for Tuesday’s series opener in Milwaukee.
Recovering from a forearm strain, Antone has yielded four hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight and walking three. He surrendered a home run during his outing Thursday.
More:Series Wrap: What should the Cincinnati Reds do with Eugenio Suárez?
“He was actually as sharp as he’s been from a pitching standpoint (Thursday),” Bell said.” He came out of it healthy. I believe it was a changeup he was working on. The guy hit the home run, but other than that, he felt really good pitching, and looked good.”
THE BIG APPLE: Former Reds reliever Heath Hembree, the team’s leader in saves, was claimed by the New York Mets on Friday.
Hembree was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Reds promoted reliever Tony Santillan to the bullpen. Hembree had a 6.38 ERA in 45 relief appearances, striking out 68 and walking 19 in 42 1/3 innings while converting eight of his 10 save chances.
More:Paul Daugherty: Joey Votto's resurgence brings fascinating Hall of Fame case
INJURY UPDATE: Reds reliever Brad Brach just began throwing in the last day or two after he went on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.
“He has a little bit of a ways to go, but he’s healed up,” Bell said. “A much-needed break to let his arm, his shoulder heal. Pretty good chance he’ll be back pitching, for sure, by the end of the year, hopefully soon. But he’s just now starting the throwing program.”
Brach had a 5.59 ERA in 33 relief appearances, seemingly fatigued after a strong stretch in June.
SETTING THE MARKET? Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud signed a two-year, $16 million contract extension Friday with an $8 million club option for 2024, which keeps him off the free-agent market this winter.
It has some implications in Cincinnati because the Reds must decide what to do with Tucker Barnhart’s contract at the beginning of the offseason. The Reds hold a $7.5 million club option in Barnhart’s contract for the 2022 season with a $500,000 buyout.
More:The winding journey of Nick Senzel's career with the Cincinnati Reds
Barnhart, a two-time Gold Glove winner, deserves credit for his work with the Reds’ pitching staff. Barnhart is two years younger than d’Arnaud and their career offensive numbers compare well to each other. Barnhart has a career .250/.327/.378 slash line compared to d’Arnaud’s .251/.312/.420 slash line, though d’Arnaud won a Silver Slugger last year after breakout numbers in the shortened 2020 season.
Tyler Stephenson looks ready for an everyday role, which will factor in the Reds’ decision this offseason, but the Reds could have more options if the designated hitter is adopted in the National League before the 2022 season, which is widely expected.
Source link
