The Reds announced Thursday that they’ve signed outfielder Tyler Naquin to a minor league deal and invited him to Major League Spring Training. The Excel Sports client and former first-round pick his spent his entire career to date with the Indians.
Naquin, 29, hit the IL early in the 2020 season due to a broken big toe in his right foot. He returned in mid-August and scuffled through one of the worst stretches of his career at the plate, batting just .218/.248/.383 with four homers and a bloated 28.4 percent strikeout rate in 141 trips to the dish. Whether Naquin simply never found his timing at the plate, had difficulty maximizing the use of his lower half due to the injury or both, the struggles resulted in him being non-tendered after the season.
Naquin has had his share of productive stints in the big leagues, including both his rookie campaign in 2016 and a solid showing in 2019. A left-handed hitter, he’s always struggled against left-handed pitching but has handled righties at a solid .281/.329/.454 clip — good for a 105 wRC+ (or production that is five percent better than league average, when weighted for park and league). A healthy Naquin posted strong defensive marks in the outfield corners in 2018-19 as well, though he rated quite poorly as a center fielder during his rookie year.
In Cincinnati, Naquin adds an experienced option to an already muddied mix. Nick Castellanos, Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker and Shogo Akiyama are the favorites for playing time, but the club also has Aristides Aquino, Mark Payton and Scott Heineman on the big league roster, plus similar non-roster invitees in Nicky Delmonico and Dwight Smith Jr.
an absute steal
I stole the “o” and ‘l” from your absolute
wack
He was balling in 2019 until he got injured
He is a good player and would play pretty solidly…until he got injured. That’s the problem. And it’s been a combination of legit injuries and freak injuries. Like when he was coming back last year and he fouls a ball off of his foot. Then, he’s back on the IL.
It’s, unfortunately, the story of his career so far. Hopefully he can turn it around and have a good career, but he seems more like a Lonnie Chisenhall 2.0.
All I know is Shogo better start every game, batting leadoff. Have to wonder if this OF logjam portends a trade or two.
He did so much to warrant a full time gig last year. I think he and his weak contact rate, low average/power needs to earn every day time in the OF.
He wasn’t given a chance to adjust, it didn’t help that there was no spring training. Look at what he did over the final month.
He also runs the bases well, gets on base at an above average clip, and is pretty good in the field. His approach was very groundball heavy in 2020, I would guess he could be in the 10-15 hr range for a whole season. Even if he doesn’t, he is could still be a solid lead off guy.
As I said, look at what he did over the last month of the season. Batted well over .300 with an OBP of .450, and his vs. LHP/RHP splits were almost dead even. Having watched almost every game, he definitely passed the eye test and looked settled in, as opposed to early in the season when he kept altering his approach trying to get his timing down.
Thirsty, I was talking about Shogo. I didn’t think I needed to state that since the comment this thread is under was about Shogo.
Not a bad option at this stage of the game. Hitters park could carve out a role with a good showing in the spring.
Naquin killed the Yankees throughout his career. I am happy to see him out of Cleveland
Well, in 2 of the last 4 seasons he hasn’t played them. But when he did, he went 4/12 in ’19 & 5/18 in ’18. so total 9/30, which is .300 with one homer and 2 rbi. He has not drawn a walk, interestingly enough.
Same Spring Training home. Reds and Cleveland share the very nice Goodyear Ballpark.
Just have to remember which gate to walk through now ha ha.
It was a sad day when he collided with the wall and damaged his knee making that great catch.
He was always my favorite Indians player, because he always gave his all on the field, unlike some spoiled little brat ex-Indian l
Lindor? he seemed like he put in effort. Better not be Cookie
Yes, Lindor. There’s plenty of video evidence of him slacking.
I’d never talk smack about Cookie. Still bummed he got traded.
Yeah, Lindor’s effort last year was noticeably down. He was still a good player but he never developed into the superstar we thought he’d be.
The name I’ve been most surprised to see unsigned. I’ve been checking on his status nearly every day, lol.
OT – kinda surprised Brian Dozier retiring didn’t even get a mention… but Tebow did lol.
Brian Dozier.
“B” as in Brian Dozier
“R” as in “right over there is Brian Dozier”
“I” as in “I think that’s Brian Dozier”
“A” as in “Alex, look over there it’s Brian Dozier.”
“N” as in “nobody can beat Brian Dozier.”
Space
“D” as in “Dag nabbit, that’s Brian Dozier!”…
Kroll and reds management believe, in the field, you start a pitcher and catcher and 7 outfielders.
Yes !
Here’s the issue with Naquin… game 6 vs Cubs … defense
Dude, when that homer off Chapman went over the left field wall, I was certain that the Tribe were going to win. All of the old curse talk and black cats, etc., went through my mind in an instant. But as the late, great, Harry Caray once said, “the good Lord wants the Cubs to win!”
Hopefully Naquin can help the Cubs win more games in 2021 like he helped in the 2016 World Series.
Who? Non story
Good speed
That strikeout rate fits right into the Reds lineup. The question is whether he can K in the clutch like Geno and Casty…
Great, another minor league contract!