What Role Will Brennan Boesch Play for the Cincinnati Reds this Season?

Feb 26, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds outfielder

(27) poses for a picture during photo day at the Reds Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In case you haven’t noticed, Brennan Boesch is having an incredible spring. In ten games, Boesch has slashed .448/.448/.793, hit three home runs and put up an unbelievable 1.241 OPS. But despite having a great start in spring training, the Reds already have a filled up outfield, so what role can Boesch play for the Reds this year?

Boesch was signed by the Reds as a free agent back in November, and the Reds have to be impressed with his performance so far. The numbers he’s putting up this spring should definitely be enough to earn him a bench position with the Reds this year, but it probably won’t be enough to make him an everyday player.  The Reds will most likely be set on Marlon Byrd, Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce playing the outfield.

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The newest addition to the Reds’ outfield, Marlon Byrd, was acquired from the Phillies last year in a trade for prospect Ben Lively. Byrd was definitely brought into the Reds for the pop in his bat in the middle of the order. Last year with the Phillies, Byrd drove in 85 runs and hit a career-high 25 home runs. With that offense, is highly unlikely that the Reds will bench their new acquisition so they can start Boesch.

Center field is also most likely locked in at this point. Last year’s Rookie of the Year runner up, Billy Hamilton, will most likely fill that role for the Reds. Hamilton got off to a fantastic start last year and is very dangerous on the base paths, and will most likely only improve with the Reds. Even though his performance did taper off at the end of last year, the Reds are very big on Hamilton and will likely continue to pencil him in at the top of the lineup. Boesch has been playing some center field this spring, and could be a great back up, if Hamilton isn’t hitting.

Boesch’s primary position (right field) is currently occupied by long-time Red and two-time All-Star Jay Bruce. Even with his numbers being down last year, it’s hard to see the Reds starting Boesch over Bruce. But if Boesch’s numbers continue in this fashion the Reds may want to consider it.

It’s an interesting position for Boesch right now. He’s doing incredibly well for the Reds so far this spring, and I can only hope that these numbers continue into the regular season. Even if Boesch doesn’t earn a position as an everyday player with the Reds, he’ll still be a great off the bench guy, and I’m certainly hoping that we’ll see more of him this summer.

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