Cincinnati Reds invite Patrick Kivlehan to spring training

After exposing Patrick Kivlehan to waivers, the Cincinnati Reds invite him to spring training.

Patrick Kivlehan was an interesting player for the Cincinnati Reds in 2017.  He played multiple positions with various offensive outcomes.  Now the Reds are looking at him for 2018.

Kivlehan was exposed to waivers when the Reds tried to prepare their roster for the off-season.  He was the only player that didn’t leave the organization.  Zach Vincej is with the Seattle Mariners and Chad Wallach is back with the Miami Marlins, while Deck McGuire is a free agent.  This happened a few weeks after the Chicago Cubs claimed Jake Buchanon.

Those are the players that the Reds lost protecting second baseman Shed Long and some others from the Rule 5 Draft.  Kivlehan, though, is still around.  He won a spot on the team out of spring training last season.

Last season Kivlehan played all three outfield positions, as well as first base and third base.  His primary skill set was supposed to be his offensive.  He had some good games and good months, but was inconsistent overall.

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A few years ago Kivlehan looked like the best prospect in the Mariners’ organization.  Since then he has spent time with the Texas Rangers.  Now, the Reds are seeing if Kivlehan can take things to the next level.

Patrick Kivlehan faces an uphill challenge to make the Cincinnati Reds roster out of spring training.

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Last year, Kivlehan made the team because the Reds weren’t sure that waiver wire pick-up Scooter Gennett could back-up both second and third.  Now, Gennett is the starting second baseman.  Dilson Herrera, however, stands in Kivlehan’s way.

In addition to Herrera, the outfield is more crowded in Cincinnati.  The Reds are five deep in the ourfield.  Adam Duvall, Billy Hamilton, Jesse Winker, Phil Ervin, and Scott Schebler will all make the team.

The Reds may also decide to keep a true back-up shortstop.  If that is the case, then Alex Blandino has a great chance to make the team.  The Reds added him to the forty man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Reds also signed a pair of center fielders to minor league contracts.  Mason Williams and Rosell Herrera have minimal major league experience.  However, one of them is more likely than Kivlehan to take the roster space made available, if Hamilton leaves this off-season.

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Kivlehan is a professional hitter.  That means he always has a chance.  The question is whether he has a good chance or a longshot to play in Cincinnati in 2018.