Cincinnati Reds battle Washington Nationals for Wild Card positioning

Rookie has electrified the Queen City

What more can you say about Aristides Aquino? Entering play on Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds rookie right fielder is slashing .464/.500/1.250 with 7 homers and 13 RBIs in 9 games. “The Punisher” hit five home runs, including three Saturday night, against the Cubs during their four-game series.

The 25-year-old slugger tied the Rockies Trevor Story with a MLB record of seven long balls in a players first 10 games. He is also the first rookie and 12th player in MLB history to homer in three consecutive innings as he did Saturday night.

You want more Aquino record setting numbers? We got ’em. Thursday night, Aquino equaled the record for the hardest hit homer in the Statcast era with a 118.3-MPH laser off the Cubs Cole Hamels. In the same contest, he unleashed a 101.5-MPH throw from right field which established the mark for fastest throw by an outfielder.

Obviously, there’s no way Aristides Aquino can maintain the pace he’s currently setting. However, he has more than made the most of his opportunity. Smashing 28 homers in Triple-A Louisville understandably garnered the Reds attention, but there’s no way they could have anticipated the production they are receiving from right field following the trade that sent Yasiel Puig to Cleveland.

Prediction

This is a major series for both teams. The Nationals trail the Braves by 6.5 games, while the Reds sit 7 games behind the Cubs. If either team is going to make the postseason the Wild Card appears to be the more advantageous route.

Washington currently occupies the first Wild Card position by a mere half game. Cincinnati is only 5 games off the pace. While neither team can afford to be swept, expect the Redlegs to take 2-of-3 in DC before heading home for another huge series versus the St. Louis Cardinals.