Cincinnati Reds are missing the boat with Jesse Winker

The Cincinnati Reds let Jesse Winker prove that he is not an MLB corner outfielder offensively in 2017.

With an injury to starting right fielder, Scott Schebler, the Cincinnati Reds were forced to do something.  They elected to re-call Jesse Winker to play everyday.  That was a mistake on multiple levels.

The thing that is right is re-calling Winker.  He needs to be on the Reds’ roster as much as possible down the stretch this season.  Winker is an on-base machine that needs to start collecting notes on the National League pitchers.

However, Winker isn’t the player that needs to be playing everyday.  He has proven himself in that regard in the minors. Winker needs time to get acclimated to the big leagues and used to a big league clubhouse.

The player on the Reds’ roster that needs to be out there everyday is Jose Peraza.  Whether he is playing second base, shortstop or right field, Peraza needs to be in the line-up as a starter.  After a fantastic second half in 2016 as a super-sub, this season is all about how Peraza reacts to playing through fatigue and familiarity.

Want your voice heard? Join the Blog Red Machine team!

Write for us!

With Zack Cozart back from the DL after recovering from his quad injury and Scooter Gennett starting at second base, the Reds don’t have a place for Peraza.  Right field is about right.  It would allow him to rest his lower body a little bit, while still getting the at-bats and experience of being an everyday starter.

More from Reds News

• Reds: It’s time to end Asdrúbal Cabrera’s brief tenure in Cincinnati
• Will Joey Votto surpass Johnny Bench for the most HRs in Reds history?
• Reds vs. Cardinals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds: It’s time to recall Jose Barrero to the major leagues
• Reds: Top free agency priorities for Nick Krall after 2021 season

Aside from the team needs, the Cincinnati Reds have seen that Jesse Winker can’t consistently hit for power.

Winker is an interesting offensive specimen.  He is a one dimensional player, the like of which is rarely to never seen.  He can only get on-base.

Winker isn’t a great base runner.  He only has 22 steals in six professional seasons.  He has also never scored 75 or more runs in a minor league season.

Winker isn’t a true slugger.

His season high for home runs is 16 back in Low-A in Dayton.  That is the only year that he has had more than 55 RBIs.

Winker isn’t an elite hitter.  His career minor league batting average is .298, nice but not elite.  He has had more than 100 hits in four of his six seasons, but he was on pace to do that easily when he got the call.

Next: Was Eric Davis' 1989 season the best ever?

What do you call a corner outfielder with little power and a high OBP?  He could be the next Jason Heyward, just developing a little bit more slowly than the original.  However, he could also be a pinch hitter on a contending team, not a starting MLB right fielder.