Cincinnati Reds: Should the team be concerned about Jesse Winker?

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker doesn’t have a hit thus far in 2019. Is it time for the team to hit the panic button?

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker is hitless in 13 at-bats thus far in 2019. This leaves Winker  with the obvious goose egg and an on=base percentage of .071 thanks in part to his one walk in the previous series. Throw in a Cactus League performance that saw Winker hit .176, striking out 10 times with only 5 walks and it begs the question; should the Reds be concerned?

Jesse Winker has a career .292 batting average and near .400 on-base-percentage. This is the same Jesse Winker, just like Nick Senzel, has hit at every level going back to his days at various levels of the minor leagues. His .298 batting average and .398 on-base-percentage in the minors, dating back to 2012 are on par with what he has done thus far in Cincinnati.

In spite of the proven track record, there could be a myriad of things going on at the moment though; granted all speculation. While the Reds certainly improved the roster with the various trades and free agent acquisitions, suddenly there is the presence of new All-Star teammates in a crowded outfield. While Winker has certainly said the right things, is there a new pressure to prove himself?

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Is there added pressure to enhance both his offensive and defensive skills due to Billy Hamilton no longer being a part of the team? Does the coaching staff have new philosophies and culture that simply take time for a young player to adapt? Is Winker’s shoulder completely healed? Add any or all of these factors together, along with just the general grind of being a professional athlete, and there is justification for the slow start for Winker.

For the record, I am a fan of Jesse Winker. I appreciate his approach at the plate, his demeanor as a player and teammate, along with his work ethic. Coming off of season-ending shoulder surgery that ended his 2018 campaign and perhaps a run at Rookie Of The Year honors, Jesse was seen in Arizona rehabbing well before Spring Training began.

One cannot question Winker’s work ethic, heart, and determination to contribute to this organization in a manner in which a player is expected to do. I saw him two Saturday’s ago at a game in Goodyear against the Cleveland Indians and watched him go yard twice in one game. There is no doubt that Jesse Winker can hit the baseball.

This chatter of “What’s wrong with this player? What’s wrong with that player?” will soon subside. I do appreciate the panic on Twitter amongst Reds faithful that do not wish to relive not only the 3-18 start or another 90-plus loss season. There is simply too much talent up and down this Cincinnati Reds lineup for the offense not to put big numbers on the board; the stats on the back of baseball cards suggest as much.

As it pertains to Jesse Winker, I anticipate that this slump will be yesterday day’s news soon enough and he will be on track contributing to the Cincinnati Reds in a significant way. That could begin as early as Thursday’s game vs. Pittsburgh. Should Reds Country be concerned about Jesse Winker? No, he’s going to be just fine.