Cincinnati Reds’ Scott Schebler looking to re-establish himself in right field
When Scott Schebler went on the disabled list, it appeared that Jesse Winker would be the new right fielder for the Cincinnati Reds.
Scott Schebler went on the Cincinnati Reds’ disabled list on August first and it looked like he lost his starting role. During Schebler’s time on the DL, Jesse Winker took over as the right fielder. In August Winker batted .310 with an OBP of .403.
With Schebler struggling and injured, it took an injury to Winker for Schebler to regain his role. The Reds couldn’t have been happier with the work of Winker. In essence, though, Schebler came off of the DL at the same time that Winker went onto it.
The Reds batted Winker mostly in the bottom half of the order. He collected 58 at-bats over 21 games subbing in for Schebler. He also hit four home runs with a respectable .534 slugging percentage.
Winker also walked nine times, while striking out thirteen times. That ratio is a little off for Winker, but it did not have much impact on his OBP. Winker, however, only drove in six runs.
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Prior to the injury, Schebler only batted .136 with an OBP of .200. He also only hit three home runs with five RBIs. Those numbers are dramatically worse than Winker’s in August.
With Jesse Winker on the disablsed list, Scott Schebler has a chance to regain the right field position for the Cincinnati Reds.
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In 12 games to end August Schebler hit as many home runs, three, as he did in the entire month of July. He also averaged nearly an RBI per game at 11. This is the type of production that the Reds are looking for from right field.
Schebler also had 13 hits over 37 at-bats in those 12 games. He batted .351 with a .432 OBP. Maybe Schebler just needed a rest.
With a .730 Schebler had an impressive OPS of 1.162 in August. Those are Joey Votto like numbers. Those are also the type of numbers that Schebler needs to produce to keep Winker at bay.
With Phillip Ervin and Winker chasing him, Schebler hasn’t done enough. Jose Peraza needs somewhere to play with Zack Cozart still with the team. Schebler walked into the season with right field his, but the position is now up for grabs.
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The Reds need to find a right fielder for the future. Playing Ervin some out there would be a good idea. Then again, if Schebler keeps playing like he did in August, he will be the right fielder for 2018 and beyond.