Don't be perturbed by Tommy Pham's slow start with the Reds

Left fielder Tommy Pham is off to an inauspicious start with the Cincinnati Reds. Pham is hitless in his first 13 at-bats, and there are some throughout Reds Country who are questioning why the club even signed the veteran outfielder.

All I can tell you is, be patient. While fans oftentimes want that immediate return on the team's investment, especially considering that Pham is playing the same position as former outfielder Jesse Winker, it's important to return that Pham got a very late start.

Pham was signed much later in camp that almost every other player on the team and the MLB lockout certainly didn't do him any favors. Pham has no recorded a hit, but his plate appearances have been solid, and the 34-year-old is bound to get his first hit as a member of the Reds very soon.

Don't be too harsh on Reds OF Tommy Pham.

Tommy Pham is 0-for-13, but he did draw four walks during the opening weekend festivities in Atlanta and scored three runs. In fact, no one on the Cincinnati Reds roster has more walks than Pham. Joey Votto is the closet with just two.

Pham wasn't up there just hacking away either. The left fielder has three punch outs in 17 plate appearances; less than Votto, Mike Moustakas, Jonathan India, Tyler Naquin, and Aristides Aquino.

Pham also saw 79 pitches during the four-game stretch. That's an average of 4.6 pitches per at-bats; a good sign for those fans wanting to see the Cincinnati hitters take a patient approach at the dish.

Tommy Pham spoke about being behind the rest of Reds teammates shortly after he signed a one-year/$7.5M contract with the club in late-March.

"I have a lot of catching up to do. I’m going to be on these back fields a lot. I have to get my game right, offense, defense. Everyone in baseball pretty much got a two-week head start from me."

Tommy Pham, Reds LF

Pham has already called the 2022 season his revenge tour, and has stated that he's looking to get his numbers up. While some fans might not like that me-first attitude, calling it selfish, if Pham does "get his", it's only going to help the team win.

Tommy Pham is playing with a chip on his shoulder this season. With no real promising outfield prospect to speak of at Triple-A Louisville, the Cincinnati will undoubtedly be patient with Pham. Reds fans would be wise to do the same.