Reds: Alejo Lopez’s performance is begging for a promotion

At this point, I don’t know what the Cincinnati Reds front office is waiting for. Infield prospect Alejo Lopez has played well at both Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville this season. It’s time for the Reds to see if he’s got what it takes to be a contributor at the major league level.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not advocating for Lopez to supplant anyone within the Cincinnati starting lineup. Kyle Farmer has played great defense all season at shortstop, and more Mike Moustakas returns to the team, Farmer will return to his role as the first player off the bench.

However, that doesn’t mean that currently the Reds should be sitting on their hands waiting for Moose, Max Schrock, or Alex Blandino to get healthy. While both Schrock and Blandino may be better options than Lopez, the 25-year-old prospect is certainly a better bench bat than Scott Heineman or Mike Freeman.

The Reds need to promote Alejo Lopez to the 26-man roster.

That’s in no way meant to be disrespectful to the former Rangers’ prospect or the journeyman infielder, but the combination of Heineman and Freeman is 6-for-52 (.115). Ouch! Meanwhile, Alejo Lopez is riding a 13-game hit streak, the longest in Triple-A, and is slashing .379/.455/.563 in his 22 games at Triple-A Louisville.

Lopez owned an .885 OPS at Double-A Chattanooga this season, and his 1.019 OPS is fourth in the Triple-A East division. With Heineman’s .490 OPS and Freeman’s OPS sitting at .410, it’s preposterous that Lopez hasn’t received a promotion to the majors.

The only thing I can figure is that Cincinnati is planning to trade the red-hot Alejo Lopez for relief help, or Max Schrock is very close to coming back. Those are the only two explanations I can accept when it comes to why Lopez hasn’t seen a major league field this season.

Lopez is also a switch-hitter, which sounds like it would be music to David Bell’s ears. The Reds skipper is always playing the matchups, and Lopez’s splits don’t differ much between left-handed and right-handed pitchers. The Mexico native owns a .942 OPS against southpaws and has an .868 OPS versus right-handers.

Hey, Nick Krall, wake up! Alejo Lopez is doing everything right. It’s time to give this young man his just due and call him up to the big leagues. What’s the worst that could happen? If he can’t compete at the major league level, then Cincinnati can option him back to Triple-A. It’s time to give him a shot.