Reds broadcaster blasts Alexis Diaz, reveals flaw that should send him back to the minors

The Cincinnati Reds can no longer afford to send Alexis Diaz into games—at least not with runners on base. The Miami Marlins stole five bases during their 6-3 victory over the Reds on Monday night, four of which came with Diaz on the mound.

FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Jeff Brantley, pointing to the fact that Diaz's elongated delivery gave Miami's baserunners a huge advantage, said, "The Reds have no chance to throw out any baserunner with Diaz out of the stretch." Brantley was 100% correct, and the results prove it.

The Marlins were 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts with Diaz on the bump, and catcher Jose Trevino made almost no attempts to even throw out a would-be base stealer. The only time Trevino had any success was during the fourth inning with Nick Lodolo on the mound. Trevino delivered a dart to Reds second baseman Matt McLain and gunned down Marlins' left fielder Javier Sanoja.

Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley blasts reliever Alexis Diaz

When The Cowboy talks, most of Reds Country listens. The former Reds reliever knows a thing or two about pitching in the big leagues, and the moment Diaz entered Monday's game in Miami with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Brantley commented on Diaz's delivery.

"And you have to wonder," Brantley said before Diaz threw a single pitch, "With the big leg kick, are they going to send (Jesus) Sanchez here and see if they can try and steal a run before Ronny Simon ever has to swing the bat." Sanchez attempted to steal second base three pitches into the at-bat, and then stole second on the very next pitch without a throw from Trevino.

This is a major problem. Diaz, who is no longer the Reds closer, has effectively eliminated Terry Francona's ability to call upon him with runners on base. Diaz's high leg kick and slow delivery allows the opposition to run at will, and in close games, that's a risk that Francona and the Reds coaching staff can't take.

Diaz was already on shaky ground due to command and control issues, and his inability to control the run game is another mark on his résumé. The Reds need to option Diaz back to Triple-A Louisville and call upon another reliever until the right-hander is able to correct this undeniable weakness. One of Lyon Richardson, Zach Maxwell, or Yosver Zulueta would be a better option at this point.

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