Cincinnati Reds’ Scooter Gennett making the case to stay around

The Cincinnati Reds claimed Scooter Gennett off of waivers as a quick fix to a left-handed bat off the bench.

The Cincinnati Reds claimed Scooter Gennett off of waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of training camp.  The Reds had brought in several veterans, including Ryan Raburn, to tryout, but none passed muster.  Instead, the Reds looked outside their organization.

One of the reasons that the Reds brought Gennett in was that he batted left-handed.  The other options from earlier in camp, Raburn and Desmond Jennings, were both right-handed, just like Patrick Kivlehan.  Gennett, however, is a left handed batter that can play second.

When the Reds entered camp, it looked like Jennings, Raburn, and Arismendy Alcantara were the three bench players.  Jennings injured himself and Raburn couldn’t play anywhere besides the outfield.  That left Alcantara and two holes to fill.

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The Reds filled one hole with Patrick Kilvlehan.  Kivlehan came to the Reds as a former top prospect of the Seattle Mariners, but may have played his way out of the MLB.  Now his athleticism allows the former third baseman to back up center field as well.

That is where the need for Gennett came to the forefront.  Gennett is a good defender at second and can also play third and right field.  His skill set is what the Reds needed.

Scooter Gennett has provided more than just a good back-up second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds in 2017.

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Gennett has had a special year for the Reds.  Gennett had one of the best offensive games ever in MLB history.  On June 6, Gennett had 17 total bases and four home runs.

Gennett also carried over last year’s power surge to Cincinnati.  As a 16th round pick in the 2009 draft, Gennett never had more than 9 home runs prior to last year.  This year he already has 18 after hitting 14 last season.

The question is what the Reds plan on doing with Gennett.

With Dilson Herrera injured all year in Louisville, the Reds will very likely need a starting second baseman again next year.  Gennett has an inside track on that.

With Zack Cozart off the DL, he is back on the trading block.  Peraza seems like a shoo-in to get the first shot at short next year.  That leaves second base wide open.

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Given that Gennett is arbitration eligible and still relatively young, there is no reason for the Reds not to keep him around.  He may not be the long term solution at second, but he looks like the short term answer.  In any case Gennett has had a good enough year to force the Reds to keep him around.