Cincinnati Reds: Taylor Trammell robbed of Futures Game MVP

Taylor Trammell, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, was robbed of back-to-back MVPs in the Future Games after failed attempt to steal home.

Last year, Taylor Trammell took home MVP honors after hitting a home run and a triple in the MLB Futures Game. This year, the Cincinnati Reds‘ top prospect was robbed of back-to-back MVPs after erroneously being called out during an attempted steal of home plate.

After a bloop single by Trammell scored the first run of the game for the NL Futures squad, the 21-year-old left fielder knew he had to do something special if he wanted to take home his second straight Larry Doby Award.

With the bases loaded, two outs, and left-hander Kris Bubic on the mound, Trammell went for it. He snuck down the line, several feet off the third base bag, and with the lefty’s back turned, Trammell sprinted toward home.

https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1148029059584204801

The No. 1 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization dove head-first into home and appeared to get his hand in before catcher Jake Rogers made the tag. The home plate, in veritable CB Bucknor fashion, took off his headgear before calling Trammell out at home plate.

While there’s no instant replay in the MLB Futures Game, even to the casual fan, Trammell appeared to be safe. After reviewing the tape, it definitely appeared as though Trammell got his left hand in there before the tag was applied.

The Futures Game ended in 2-2 tie, even after the game went to extra innings. Sam Huff of the Texas Rangers took home MVP honors this year after a game-tying 2-run blast in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game. Had Trammell’s steal been ruled appropriately, the NL Futures team would’ve likely won and Trammell would’ve won back-to-back MVPs.

Oh well, it’s just an exhibition game. However, one thing Reds fans can take away from the game is that the future looks bright in Cincinnati. After seeing what Nick Senzel has been able to put together in his first year in the big leagues, Reds Country is salivating just thinking about what their ball club will look like once Trammell makes his way to the majors.

Taylor Trammell is still in Double-A Chattanooga, though a call-up to Triple-A Louisville may be in the cards before the end of the 2019 season. Trammell is currently hitting .252/.377/.351 with the Lookouts. He has 5 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases on the season.

As excited as Cincinnati Reds fans were for the major league debut of Senzel, they should be equally excited for Trammell’s call to the bigs. This young man exudes humble confidence and plays the game at a very high level. By the way, he was safe.