Cincinnati Reds see how easy it is to replace Zack Cozart

With Zach Vincej playing elite defensive shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, it is easy to envision a team without Zack Cozart.

Zach Vincej could replace Zack Cozart on the Cincinnati Reds.  It is that simple.  Who would have thought that?

The Reds didn’t move Cozart at the deadline because of injury and defense.  Well, the defense is covered with Vincej.  He is a former winner of the minor league Gold Glove at short.

Of course, Vincej has only played in two games defensively for the Reds.  Heck, one of those was in relief of Scooter Gennett at second base.  That means just one game of perfect defense for Vincej is all that we have at the MLB level.

Offensively, Vincej is 0 for 5 with three walks in eight plate appearances.  He has scored a pair of runs.  He has also come up three times as a pinch hitter.

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Vincej was the only position player to get the September first call-up.  The Reds recalled a handful of pitchers and Vincej.  The Reds did end up keeping Chad Wallach around after regular catchers Tucker Barnhart and Stuart Turner came back from paternity leave.

Vincej did what the Reds needed him to do.  He played great defense at Louisville all season long.  He also batted just enough to earn the promotion.

Zach Vincej did what the Cincinnati Reds asked of him and now he finds himself getting a look at the big league level.

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Last off-season Vincej put in the work in the Arizona Fall League.  He played alongside Wallach and fellow Louisville Bat Brandon Dixon.  His offensive output there earned him a spring training invite with the big club.

As a glove first shortstop, Vincej had a great minor league career as a hitter.  He has a career minor league batting average of .272 and an OBP of .339.  He has also only struck out 350 times in six minor league seasons.

This year in Louisville was no different for Vincej.  He batted .270 with an OBP of .325.

Those are better numbers than the Reds injured and embattled lead-off hitter, center fielder Billy Hamilton.

Over 568 defensive minor league appearances, Vincej has played short, second base and third base.  He has only played third once and second 35 times.  Vincej is a defensive focused shortstop will all of the making of Cozart from early in his career.

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The Reds have said they are afraid of the defensive fall once Cozart leaves.  Vincej is  a younger, but improving, option.  He also won’t eat up the money the Reds need to save to find some pitching for 2018.