Cincinnati Reds: Three up and three down from the final week of camp

Three up from the final week of Reds summer camp

1) Shogo Akiyama could be a star.

When the Cincinnati Reds signed Shogo Akiyama to a three-year/$21M contract last December, one of the biggest aspects of the story was the 31-year-old becoming the team’s first Japanese-born player in its 150-year history. However, since his arrival, Akiyama has adapted incredibly well and looks to be fixture at the top of the Reds lineup.

Akiyama hit a three-run bomb to straight-away center field on Tuesday night, knotting the game at six runs a piece. The left-handed hitter has shown incredible patience at the plate and will likely be Cincinnati’s primary left field and leadoff hitter. Akiyama will set the table for the big hitters in the Reds lineup. He may receive several votes for NL Rookie of the Year.

2) Nick Castellanos will be ready for the opener.

After a score during a scrimmage last Friday, it appears that free agent signee Nick Castellanos is ready to go for Friday’s opener against the Detroit Tigers. Castellanos took a fastball to the middle of his back courtesy of teammate Tyler Mahle.

Castellanos was back in the lineup for the final exhibition last night against the Tigers and playing right field. If need be, David Bell could offer his slugger a bit more time to rest and recuperate by using him as the team’s designated hitter during the week series with Detroit.

3) Travis Jankowski makes the team.

To the surprise of some fans, Mark Payton was returned to the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds have decided to keep Travis Jankowski as the team’s sixth outfielder. Payton was a Rule 5 Draft pick back in December of 2019.

Jankowski offers something that no one else on the Reds has; elite-speed. Given the “runner on second base” rule that will accompany the 2020 season should a game go into extra innings, having a speedster that can immediately occupy second base, Jankowski’s wheels may provide an extra win or two.