Cincinnati Reds’ Scott Schebler injures shoulder at opportune time

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Scott Schebler clearly needed a rest from playing everyday for the Cincinnati Reds prior to injuring his left shoulder.

The Cincinnati Reds were forced to decide whether to keep Scott Schebler in the line-up for his power or go with other, hotter batters.  For the most part the Reds stuck with Schebler.  His batting average went down as did his home run rate.

With Zack Cozart on the DL instead of gone to another team, the Reds didn’t have any reason to take Schebler out of the line-up.  With Cozart back, Schebler’s injured left shoulder was the perfect reason to have him rest.  Although the Reds called up prospect Jesse Winker to play, they also need a way to play Scooter Gennett and Jose Peraza at the same time.

Schebler has had an unusual set of splits this season.  He has had much better power numbers against right-handed pitchers, but has a better batting average and OBP against left-handers.  Last season, Schebler got demoted because of his inability to hit left-handers.

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Schebler may be developing into an everyday outfielder.  That depends on whether he can hit consistently.  Right now, he hits for power, but has trouble hitting for average.

In July Schebler batted .136 with an OBP of .200.  He hit 3 home runs and only drove in 5.  Schebler also struck out 27 times in 26 games,

The Cincinnati Reds should not be sending Scott Schebler out there everyday just because they named him the starter.

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Schebler injured his shoulder somewhere post All-Star Game.  Yet, his entire month of July was rough.  The Reds stubbornly refused to give him a break as he began to fall apart.

They were in a bit of a bind.  They only had four bench players for most of the time that Cozart was on the DL.  Two of those batters were the back-up catchers, along with Arizmendy Alcantara and Patrick Kivlehan.

That meant that none of the other options were any better even if they were hotter.

With Cozart off of the DL, Gennett or Peraza is suddenly without an everyday spot.  Schebler, of course, is now of the DL himself.

That’s what made the timing so good.  Peraza or Gennett could step-in for Schebler.  Right now, the Reds are using Jesse Winker in right field, instead.

Next: Stephenson or Hernandez, who would you rather see pitch?

Winker, for his part, is hitting the ball long and hard.  That’s what Schebler did before his injury.  Maybe the Reds’ batters should focus more on getting on base and less on the long ball.

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