Overview:
• The Cincinnati Reds are struggling with hitting, ranking as the worst hitting team in MLB with a .210 team batting average.
• The team faces tough opponents while relying on speed and the performance of star player Elle De La Cruz.
There’s an old saying. You can’t steal first base … Well,..technically, if the catcher drops the ball on strike 3, you can try and get to first base before his throw to the first baseman beats you. Good luck! There’s about a 96% chance you won’t though. Which brings us back to square one. The Cincinnati Reds are now a below .500 team, because they are unable to hit. Cincinnati is currently literally the worst hitting team in MLB. They are 30th out of 30 teams, with a team batting average of .210.
Cincinnati’s hitting coach is Joel Mckeithan. The assistant hitting coach is Terry Bradshaw. It goes without saying both coaches have their work cut out for them. Many people will tell you that batting average is an overrated stat. They will tell you the stat is little proof of a players overall production. The team currently has four players hitting under the .225 mark. Will Benson, .195, Tyler Stephenson, .211, Jonathan India, .219, and Christian Encarnacion Strand, .195. The team is currently 16-18 and 4.5 games out of first place in the National League Central Division. This past weekend the team was obliterated by the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game sweep at Great American Ballpark.
One thing that has kept Cincinnati in the thick of things is speed. While they are at the bottom in batting average, Cincy is among the tops in stolen bases. Getting on base has been a problem. Once the team gets on base, they know how to advance. Elle De La Cruz had an April to remember. It was one of the best in MLB history. The Reds superstar had eight home runs and 17 stolen bases last month. At present, he is by far the team MVP, leading in many categories. No telling where the team would be if De La Cruz was not a Red.
Joel Mckeithan is in his second season as the Reds head hitting coach. While it’s still early in the season, this team is going to have to improve at the plate if they are going to be a factor down the line and make some noise in the playoffs. The team is already going to likely have to play the 2024 season without last year rookie sensation Matt McLain. McLain suffered a torn labrum that will likely keep him out for most or all of the 2024 campaign.
“We’re capable of hitting better than we are,” said Manager David Bell. Cincinnati is in the midst of a murderers’ row of top teams. No sooner do they finish the 100-win Orioles from a year ago, will they will now face off against the National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks. No better time then to put up seven or eight runs for some confidence.