Cincinnati Reds: Phillip Ervin outplaying Aristides Aquino early in camp

The battle in the Cincinnati Reds outfield is one to watch this spring. Thus far, Phillip Ervin is outplaying Aristides Aquino for the final spot in the outfield.

Going under the assumption that Nick Senzel, Shogo Akiyama, Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos are locks to make the Cincinnati Reds roster, there seems to be just one spot left among the outfielders battling it out this spring. Phillip Ervin is putting some distance between himself and the others, including last year’s breakout slugger Aristides Aquino.

Ervin started off yesterday’s Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers with a leadoff single in the first inning. Unfortunately, the following three batters saw a grand total of nine pitches from Brewers starter Eric Lauer, and Joey Votto, Aristides Aquino and Tucker Barnhart were sent back to the dugout.

Ervin went 2-for-3 against Milwaukee yesterday, bumping his batting average up to .500 through 10 at-bats this spring. Ervin has two doubles, a homer and five RBIs through four Cactus League games. The only player who’s put together a more impressive spring thus far is perhaps José Garcia, the Reds top shortstop prospect who’s sitting on a 1.630 OPS so far.

While Ervin has been decimating the baseball, Aquino has yet to get a hit this spring. Last year’s rookie sensation who set the baseball world on fire during the month of August, is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts. That’s not a good a start for a player who ended the 2019 season going 20-for-120 (.196) during the final month of the season.

As impressive as last August was for Aquino, Ervin had a very impressive month of July last season. While Ervin hit only one home run that month, the right-hander slashed .432/.490/.727 with 2 doubles, 4 triples and 8 RBIs in 21 games last July. Keep in mind, Ervin only started six games that month.

Ervin is the perfect player to occupy the fifth outfielder spot on the 2020 Cincinnati Reds. Ervin had tremendous success against left-handers last season and is versatile enough defensively to play any of the three outfield positions.

Aquino, on the other hand, while successful during his two months of major league action last year, is more limited defensively and needs everyday reps in the outfield. Aquino has seen a little bit of time in center field this spring, but The Punisher is much more suited for right field which is likely to be reserved for Nick Castellanos this season.

Aristides Aquino also has a minor-league option remaining, whereas Phillip Ervin does not. That means that Aquino can be sent down to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season and not be subjected to waivers. Ervin is out of minor-league options.

Barring a trade, the odds of Ervin breaking camp with the Reds is pretty good. Aquino on the other hand, needs to get going this spring if he has any hopes of making the Opening Day roster. Cincinnati’s outfield is in good shape regardless, as the free agent acquisitions Castellanos and Akiyama will play a big role for thee Reds this season.