Reds: Max Schrock needs to be recalled sooner rather than later

Max Schrock is absolutely dominating the competition at Triple-A Louisville. After completing his rehab assignment, the 26-year-old was optioned back to the minors, but after his recent production for the Louisville Bats, it won’t be long before the Cincinnati Reds recall Schrock to the big league club.

Schrock obliterated two balls during the Bats 4-2 win over the Memphis Redbirds last night. Schrock sent a solo shot out of Louisville Slugger Field during the first inning and rocketed another to nearly the same spot during the third inning. The left-handed hitting infielder finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

The Reds need to recall Max Schrock sooner rather than later.

The Louisville Bats Twitter account has given Max Schrock the nickname, “The Schrock”; an homage to WWE’s wrestling superstar The Rock. After last night’s showing in The Ville, the fans in attendance could definitely smell what The Schrock was cookin’.

I’ve been high on Schrock since the Reds added the former Cardinals’ infielder to the roster this offseason. Most fans would be curious where Schrock would lineup defensively on the field. To borrow a line from The Rock, “It doesn’t matter where he plays!”

By no means am I advocating for Schrock to replace anyone on the Reds infield; though some may like to see Eugenio Suarez take a seat. Instead, I think it’s time he finds a permanent bench role with the big league ball club.

Before an injury sidelined the former South Carolina Gamecock at the end of May, Max Schrock went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a May 31st game against the Philadelphia Phillies. In his time with Triple-A Louisville this season, Schrock is hitting .405/.452/.649 with three home runs and six RBIs in 13 games with the Bats.

Where does Max Schrock fit on a crowded Reds roster?

David Bell has 99 problems, but a plethora of bench bats ain’t one. Most of Bell’s problems reside in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen. However, there appears to be no shortage of skilled position players and bench bats on this year’s team. Players like the hot-hitting Alejo Lopez and The Punisher, Aristides Aquino, have been relegated to bench roles because of the depth across the diamond.

Even Shogo Akiyama is lucky to get one start per week, and this is even with the likes of Alex Blandino, Nick Senzel, and Mike Moustakas on the injured list. Schrock may have to keep raking in the Derby City in order to get a call.

The Reds could always designate Mike Freeman for assignment. The former Cleveland Indians infielder is out of minor league options, so if Cincinnati were to remove the 33-year-old from the major league roster, they’d have to first expose him to waivers.

Seeing as how Freeman is only hitting .189 in his limited appearances this season, the Reds wouldn’t be losing much offensively. However, Freeman has seen action at shortstop seven times this season. That’s an extremely thin position for the Reds this season, and promoting Schrock back the bigs would likely see Eugenio Suarez return to shortstop; a move that seems inevitable.