Adding Colin Moran to the Reds roster instead of Spencer Steer makes a little sense, but not much

For the sixth time this season, Mike Moustakas has been placed on the Injured List. The veteran infielder injured his left calf while running the bases earlier in the week and is now on the IL.

The Cincinnati Reds decided to select the contract of Colin Moran in order to replace Moose on the roster. In fact, Moran is in the starting lineup tonight for the second game of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.

Several Reds fans have been dying to Spencer Steer make his major league debut, and yet tragically the 24-year-old remains down on the farm at Triple-A Louisville. The decision to elevate Moran rather than Steer makes a little sense, but not much.

Colin Moran was added to the Reds roster instead of Spencer Steer.

The Cincinnati faithful have seen what young prospects like Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand have done in the minors recently, and with the rebuild in full-swing, Reds Country seems ready to just dive right in.

But the front office obviously has different plans. From where I'm sitting, there's a handful of reasons that the Cincinnati Reds chose to select the contract of Colin Moran rather than Spencer Steer. None of them may be good enough for those wanting to see Steer in the majors, but unfortunately, that's the direction this team is taking at the moment.

First, Moran is is a left-handed hitter and Steer bats right-handed. That may be of little consequence to the average fan, but we all know how much David Bell likes to play the matchup. With the left-handed Mike Moustakas hitting the IL, the Reds chose to replace him with the left-handed hitting Moran.

Moran is also a natural first baseman. Moran has 138 games at first base under his belt. Steer has a grand total of one start at first base throughout his minor league career and it was just earlier this month. Steer has been moved all over the diamond since arriving in Louisville, seeing time at every spot on the infield and in right field as well.

Finally, it's unlikely that Spencer Steer would see regular at-bats in the big leagues. Jonathan India, Jose Barrero, and Kyle Farmer have solidified their spots in the everyday lineup. Nick Senzel is transitioning into a super utility role, and Matt Reynolds will be back from the IL very soon. The Reds are also trying to give meaningful ABs to Alejo Lopez and TJ Friedl over the final few weeks.

While a large majority of Reds fans would argue, and perhaps rightfully so, that Spencer Steer should be on the roster, those thoughts do not align with the decision makers in the Cincinnati front office. It'll probably take roster expansion in September or an opening in the infield in order for Steer to get to The Show in 2022.