Cincinnati Reds only have three elite defensive players heading into the second month of the 2017 season

The Cincinnati Reds prided themselves on their defense just a few seasons ago, but now are below average.

The Cincinnati Reds have gotten younger, but have replaced defensive players with offensive ones. At nearly every position the defense has gotten worse than it was when the Reds last may their way to the playoffs. At every position the choice appears to be offense over defense, which has created some holes on defense.

The possible exception is center field where Billy Hamilton replaced Shin-Soo Choo at the end of the latest run. In all fairness though, Choo was the center fielder when the Reds were at their best. Hamilton’s debut in 2013 was when Choo was still the starter. Hamilton is likely the Reds’ best defensive center fielder of all time.

At second base the Reds replaced the former Gold Glove winner Brandon Phillips with the untested Jose Peraza. At third base Eugenio Suarez will be in his second season at third base. Both of these players are shortstops that are playing other positions.

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One of the elite defenders was originally a first baseman in his own right. Adam Duvall was a Gold Glove finalist in 2016, his first full year as a left fielder. Only shortstop Zack Cozart and first baseman Joey Votto have remained at the same positions throughout the rebuild.

How the Cincinnati Reds do on defense will be largely determined by whether Joey Votto can slow down his aging process and whether Scott Schebler can play an elite right field.

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Votto had his worst defensive season as an everyday player in 2016. Prior to that he was a plus defender. It is important for the Reds that Votto returns to be at least an average defender in 2017.

The other important position is right field. For most of his Reds’ career Jay Bruce was a plus defender. Now Schebler has to be exactly that after playing subpar left and center fields on a part-time basis in 2016.

If Schebler can do that, then the outfield defense will be a strength for an entire season for the first time since the Reds traded Drew Stubbs for Choo. Then the focus can turn to the infield. The timing and result of a Cozart trade could set the table for whether the defense will hold together.

If Peraza can play an MLB shortstop, then the transition will be easier. Who becomes Peraza’s double play partner will also determine the success. Dilson Herrera’s shoulder injury could force the Reds to select another player like shortstop prospect Blake Trahan or bench player Scooter Gennett as Peraza’s partner.

Next: The offense will come from Votto and Suarez in 2017

Part of the difficulty of being a small market club is sequencing the aging of the defensive skills, as well as the offensive skills, for the team as a whole. The Reds are younger defensively than ideal, but have some upside. If this set of players fails, the next generation is right behind them in the minors.

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