Reds second baseman Jonathan India using social media criticism as motivation

Jonathan India has heard the criticism following his 2022 performance, and it would appear as though the Cincinnati Reds second baseman will be using that as motivation heading into the 2023 season.

After capturing the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year Award and helping to lead the Reds to their first winning record (in a 162-game season) since 2013, India fell on hard times last year.

A hamstring injury the infielder suffered in April lingered throughout the season and India was managing pain over the second-half of the 2022 season after being hit by a pitch in his lower leg during the Field of Dreams Game.

Reds 2B Jonathan India using social media criticism as motivation.

Twice on Thursday, Jonathan India retweeted the words "Thank you for this" after a couple of Twitter users took to the social media platform with observations about the Cincinnati Reds offseason approach and India's performance.

One user questioned the Reds thought process regarding India's longterm future at second base after the club signed yet another middle infielder (Jason Volser) this past week. Another user gave his prediction for what Reds fans could expect from India in 2023.

After watching Jonathan India have so much success in 2021 and then perform below what many expected from him last season, it's fair to question what to expect from the 26-year-old during the upcoming season. India hit .249/.327/.378 and played in just 103 games after slashing .269/.376/.459 in 150 games played during his rookie season.

But it would appear that India is motivated heading into the 2023 season. One has to assume that India has heard the criticism regarding his defense, especially with the implementation of the new rule eliminating the defensive shift. India posted 0 defensive runs in 2021, but -14 DRS in 2022.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has already proclaimed that Jonathan India will be the team's starting second baseman heading into the 2023 season. It looks as though India will be looking to prove the doubters wrong, and that's bad news for the rest of the NL Central.