Cincinnati Reds Scooter Gennett enters 2018 in his hometown

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

After coming over in spring training 2017, Scooter Gennett spends off-season with Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds claimed Scooter Gennett off of waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.  Then he had a career year.  He won the second base job away from Jose Peraza and hit 27 home runs, 13 more than his previous best.

Gennett joined the Reds on March 28th.  By the end of June he was firmly entrenched as the Reds’ starting second baseman.  In the interim he hit four home runs on June 6 against the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Growing up in Lebanon, Ohio, Gennett’s return has been a long journey.  After living in Lebanon, Gennett’s family moved to Florida.  Lebanon, however, remains part of Gennett to this day.

Gennett was able to spend time with his family and still stay in contact with the Reds.  He attended Redsfest in Cincinnati in December.  Gennett also made the Reds’ annual fan cruise this off-season.

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Gennett is also already focused on 2018.  Heading into this new year, he is fending off the challenge of second base prospect, Dilson Herrera, who came over in the Jay Bruce two seasons ago.  Herrera and Gennett are both offensive second baseman who can play third base, but bat from opposite sides of the plate.

Scooter Gennett looks to have another impactful season for the Cincinnati Reds in 2018

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Steamer Projections expect Gennett to have a major regression next season.  Even though he is going to play every day all season long, the projections for him are lower.  The projections are lower than his career average.

If Gennett regresses to his career average, he will bat .283 with an OBP of .323.  He will hit 13 home runs and drive in 55.  He will also play only 120 games and get about 400 at-bats.

Steamer projects Gennett to bat .260 with an OBP of .309.

Hitting 18 home runs and driving in 66 seems easily obtainable since Gennett plays so many games at Great American.  Steamer also has Gennett playing 133 and getting over 500 at-bats.

The projected season for Gennett is worth about 0.6 WAR (wins above replacement).  For comparison. that projected WAR is the same as Ronald Torreyes of the New York Yankees and Raul Mondesi of the Kansas City Royals.  This is less than half of Gennett’s average WAR.

Next: Reds sign Jared Hughes to two year deal

Gennett has spent the entire off-season working with Cincinnati.  He has become a member of the team as well as Reds’ Nation.  The prognosticators are looking for a bad season for Gennett, but going into his second season with his role known can only help the second baseman.

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