Cincinnati Reds: Phillip Ervin’s time is now or never

The Cincinnati Reds called up outfielder Phillip Ervin to replace Scott Schebler who was shelved with a shoulder injury. Ervin’s time is now or never.

Outfielder Phillip Ervin will be joining the Cincinnati Reds when the second half of the season begins. Ervin will be taking the spot of Scott Schebler who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a shoulder sprain. Ervin, who’s been hammering it in Triple-A, and the Reds hope he can continue doing so at the big leagues. Is this Ervin’s last shot to prove he belongs?

Ervin just turned 26-years old a few days ago. Less than a month ago, he spent a few games with the Reds while Schebler was on bereavement leave. Ervin played in three games, mostly as a defensive replacement and had one total at-bat.

Before that brief stint in Cincinnati, Ervin actually started the season at the big league level. Schebler’s first stint on the DL, due to an ulnar nerve contusion, allowed Ervin to get some playing earlier in the season. He played in 16 games, again, most often as a defensive replacement late in games.

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In 38 at-bats, Ervin had a .211 batting average and a .318 on-base percentage. He had only 3 RBIs during that period and struck out 12 times. During his time in Triple-A Louisville, Ervin’s hitting .289 with a .373 on-base percentage.

Can Phillip Ervin stick this time around?

Phillip Ervin was a first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2013. Since being drafted, Ervin has steadily risen up the Reds farm system. Other than his 46 games during his first season in the minors, this season with the Bats has been his best.

Ervin’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he appears able to reach base consistently in the Minor Leagues. Now he needs to make it translate to the Majors. Unfortunately for Ervin, even with Schebler temporarily shelved, he’s not likely to get a lot of looks in the starting lineup.

Schebler had been the Reds’ leadoff hitter and a consistent presence in the Reds four-man outfield rotation. Jesse Winker will likely get a lot more time in right field, and if Billy Hamilton keeps hitting the way he has, it’s hard to see Jim Riggleman pull him out of the lineup.

Ervin’s best chance to supplant someone in the starting lineup may be Adam Duvall. Duvall’s power numbers are still good with 14 homers and 60 RBIs thus far in 2018. However, his batting average is only .204, and unlike Winker, Ervin’s glove wouldn’t cause a dropoff defensively in the outfield.

There’s also the possibility that Cincinnati could look to trade one of their outfielders before the MLB Trade Deadline. Hamilton or Duvall could be on the trade block if the offer is right.

Next: Will Harvey be the only Reds player traded?

Ervin can only control what’s in front of him. If he takes advantage of the opportunities, perhaps he can stick at the Major League level this go-around. If not, I’m sure he’ll keep plugging away, but one has to wonder how much more he has to prove.