The Cincinnati Reds sent Brandon Dixon to the Arizona Fall League to work on his on-base percentage and he has delivered.
When the Cincinnati sent Brandon Dixon to the Peoria Javalinas to work on getting on base, they didn’t think he would be so successful overall. Dixon is getting on base at .396 clip well into the fall league. That’s after having a regular season OBP of .315.
Dixon came to the Reds’ organization in the same deal that brought Jose Peraza to town. Dixon was drafted out of Arizona by the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is his second year in a row in Arizona.
Dixon was once again at first base, after playing second during the regular season. Is he being trained to be a utility man or is he viewed as a possible heir apparent to Joey Votto? Dixon keeps getting to bat in the heart of the Peoria line-up.
Another Reds’ prospect, Zach Vincej is starting at shortstop for the Javelinas. Despite being a defensive specialist, Vincej is leading the team in OPS. They have kept him near the bottom of the order, but he still leads the team with 15 RBIs. He has all but won a spot in the forty-man roster.
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The Cincinnati Reds still need to decide whether a questionable defensive player has a future in Cincinnati.
A player with several positions has no position. If Dixon can’t show an aptitude at one or more position he’ll never get a chance to play in Cincinnati. There are too many other young players to try out.
Dixon lacks corner infield power.
He only has one home run in the fall league after hitting 16 during the regular season. If he is trading power for OBP, the exchange won’t work in the end.
Dixon is the player that they have the most interest in learning about this fall. His work last fall led to his inclusion in the Todd Frazier deal. Now he could become the future double play partner for Jose Peraza.
Dilson Herrera and Tony Renda are ahead of Dixon at second base in the minors. Vincej and Peraza have shortstop wrapped up. Dixon may need to become a utility player or a third baseman to crack the forty man roster.
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Eugenio Suarez had a good 2016, but he is still young. Perhaps Dixon is the insurance policy. The Reds need to be sure about Dixon before they decide to give him a roster spot at the expense of someone more useful.