Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from series win vs Chicago White Sox

2. Freddy Galvis needs more playing time

This will not be popular, and I’m just as excited as you about the potential of José García, but the Reds rookie is not getting it done at the plate consistently. García’s defense has been very good, but he’s hitting just .196 in his last 46 at-bats. Strangely, García has yet to hit a home run on the season, despite having big league power.

Freddy Galvis came up big for the Reds in yesterday’s game versus the White Sox. The switch-hitter was 2-for-2, scored a run and drew a walk. It’s not as though Galvis has set the world on fire recently, but after being supplanted by García as the team’s primary shortstop, he’s been in and out of the lineup.

I’m not advocating for García to be benched all together. The two-run walk-off homer by fellow rookie Tyler Stephenson against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 14th would not have been possible if García had not worked a single and reached base ahead of him. That said, there’s a reason García is at or near the bottom of the Cincinnati batting order.

These final six games hold the utmost significance for the Cincinnati Reds, and I’m not sure it’s wise to trust a rookie in these big moments when you have a veteran bat like Galvis available. García has established himself as the future shortstop for this team, but down the stretch, I’d hitch my wagon to Freddy Galvis.