Reds news: Derek Dietrich added to 60-man player pool

The Reds added slugger Derek Dietrich to the 60-man player pool.

He’s back! Derek Dietrich joined the Cincinnati Reds 60-man player pool on Wednesday afternoon. Many fans wondered why Dietrich wasn’t initially part of the Reds player pool. According to Dietrich, via Reds.com, the 30-year-old utility player had tested positive for COVID-19 while in Goodyear, Arizona.

Dietrich was assigned to the group working at Prasco Park. It’ll be interesting to see if Cincinnati’s brass is ready to quickly move Dietrich into contention for a roster spot right off the bat. Starting off in Mason, Ohio would suggest otherwise.

The Reds have split their 60-man squad between two locations (Great American Ball Park and Prasco Park). While players have been seen at both locations, the presumptive players to be part of Cincinnati’s active roster when Opening Day comes around next week are working out at GABP.

While I’m sure many fans would love to see Dietrich on the field when the season begins, it seems a bit unlikely. However, the additional roster spots afford David Bell the ability to keep some players on the roster who might otherwise start the season in the minor leagues.

As far as bench bats go, you have to figure that catcher Curt Casali, infielder Kyle Farmer and outfielder Phillip Ervin are locks to make the team. From there, the grouping of Josh VanMeter, Alex Blandino, Mark Payton, Aristides Aquino and a few others are in the mix for those final precious spots on Cincinnati’s 30-man roster.

Derek Dietrich’s 2019 season couldn’t have started any better. Through his first 52 games, the former Miami Marlin hit .254/.364/.720 with 17 home runs and 35 RBIs. However, after his three-home run performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 28th, Dietrich went 17-for-166 (.128) with 46 strikeouts.

If the Cincinnati Reds are able to utilize Dietrich as a bench bat or perhaps the occasional designated hitter during the 2020 season, the soon to be 31-year-old could offer some power from the left side. Let’s hope the 2020 version of Dietrich is similar to the one who began last season and not the one who finished it.