Cincinnati Reds should insert Scooter Gennett into the everyday line-up with the offense struggling

The Cincinnati Reds’ offense has been struggling, while Scooter Gennett has continued to produce against right-handed pitchers.

In the month of June the offense for the Cincinnati Reds has slowed down noticeably.  During that time three of the Reds’ low OBP batters in Billy Hamilton, Jose Peraza, and Scott Schebler all have OBP below .300.  It is the most unusual for Schebler, but the most damaging for Hamilton.

Hamilton has played most of the season inching his way towards All Star consideration.  Thanks to a slow start to June, however, Hamilton’s OBP has dipped  below the magical .300 marker.  The batting average is also below .250 for the Reds’ best defensive center fielder of all-time.

After helping to pace the majors in runs scored early on, the Reds are scoring more in June per game.  How is this happening?  Consistency.

The Reds were a consistent team in May offensively.  They only scored in double digits twice in the first two months, but did so on June 6. The way they are going up and down, they will likely do it again this month.

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Why are the Reds suddenly inconsistent offensively?  Their OBP is the exact same as it has been all season at .329. It is who is getting on base and who is not.

With Zack Cozart and Billy Hamilton returning to normal career OBP, the Cincinnati Reds don’t have any pace setters.

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Cozart’s OBP in June is a decent .350, but lower than his near record setting pace earlier in the season.  Hamilton’s meanwhile is nearly down to .200. That’s where waiver wire pick-up Scooter Gennett comes in.

Gennett is batting .311 with a .336 OBP against right-handers this season.  Even against left-handers he is batting a respectable .273 with a .333.OBP.  Those splits are good enough to bat just ahead of Joey Votto in a re-set line-up.

The other person that needs to bat ahead of Votto right now is third baseman, Eugenio Suarez. He has improved his OBP this season and is off to a great start in June. He also hasn’t shown a great jump in power.

For Gennett to get in the line-up, someone must leave the line-up.  The obvious answer is Hamilton. He is below that .300 OBP and appears to worn down.

With Hamilton on the bench, second baseman Jose Peraza can shift to center so Gennett can play his traditional position.  At this point most of Peraza’s goal is to work on hitting everyday.  He is biding time until Cozart gets traded to a contending team in July.

Next: A night to remember for Scooter Gennett

The Reds need to do this now, before their season is totally lost.  Somehow they are just three games out of first and only four games below .500.  The team needs to stay aggressive.