Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Report – Phillip Ervin

How are the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospects doing during the 2017 season?

While the Cincinnati Reds have struggled to a 39-49 record, there is plenty of reason for hope in the future. The team is loaded with talented prospects across all of their minor-league teams, and many of those players started off with promising starts in their careers.

Let’s take a look at how one of the Reds’ top 30 prospects (per MLB Pipeline at the start of the season) performed  in the first half as we head into the second half.

Phil Ervin (OF)

2017 Stats (Triple-A):

Louisville: .250/.315/.368, 15 2B, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 25 BB, 66 K, 14 SB

Coming up through the ranks, Ervin was an on base machine.  Since his promotion to Triple-A, he has seen his OBP drop.  His batting average has dropped, as has his ability to draw walks.

In Louisville Ervin has struck out 66 times, while only walking 25.  Those are mediocre numbers from someone who used to be difficult to strike out.  Now he is striking out more without adding more power.

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Batting .250 has kept his OBP at an average .315.  That in turn has kept his stolen base total down.  Between a low average and a low walk rate, Ervin is no longer the player that he appeared to be prior to this season.

More from Reds Prospects

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Despite having a rough 2017 for Louisville so far this season, the Cincinnati Reds called Phillip Ervin up to the big leagues.

The expectations were high for Ervin entering the 2017 season, as he had a strong spring training and was a fixture on the forty man roster.  After looking like a great on base hitter, he has taken a large step back this season.  That his speed hasn’t helped maintain his average disturbs the team even more.

During his brief call-up with the Reds, Ervin reminded the Reds who they thought he used to be.

He was 0 for 2 with a walk over three games.  Getting on base and making solid contact is his forte.

While down in Louisville, Ervin has played mostly left field this season.  Adam Duvall, whose current numbers are better than his breakout numbers from last year right now, blocks Ervin in left.  Ervin played right in his only time in the field in Cincinnati, but likely will need to play center to gain any amount of consistent playing time during his next visit to Cincinnati.

Ervin is one of a number of issues for the Reds.  They have a handful of players who appear to be close to coming up without a fully developed set of skills.  If Dilson Herrera isn’t ready for a September call-up, the Reds will have to give Ervin another chance.  That means more time at the big league level regardless of whether or not he is ready.