Future Might Be Now for Cincinnati Reds’ Prospect Jesse Winker
By Robb Hoff
@NFLNostradamus
Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds are desperate for a left fielder for 2015. Short of going out and acquiring a left fielder via free agency or trade, the Reds have very limited options internally, which may compel the organization to force the issue with 21-year-old Jesse Winker.
The idea that Chris Heisey, Skip Schumaker and Kristopher Negron could be platooned has to be unacceptable for the Reds’ front office if the team has any intent on improving an offense that was dismal in 2014.
Unfortunately for the Reds, they do not have a major-league prospect proven enough to pencil in the way the Reds penciled in Billy Hamilton this year. Lefty slugger Donald Lutz is still too raw and undisciplined at the plate, despite seeing action with the Reds in each of the past two seasons, and 22-year-old Venezuela bonus baby Yorman Rodriguez didn’t show much during his cup of coffee this year with the Reds or his career as a whole — batting .260 hitter with little aptitude for on-base percentage or power over six seasons.
So that could leave the unproven and unseasoned Winker as the best man for the job if the Reds can’t find anyone else.
Winker projects as a 20 homer, 75 RBI hitter, but more importantly, he could be a breath of fresh air for the Reds as a batter who is able to get on base at a .400 clip without striking out more than 100 times a year.
Winker had just 77 Double-A at-bats last year before a wrist injury sustained in a car accident sidelined him for the remainder of the year split at two levels, but he’s currently playing in the Arizona Fall League.
If all goes well for Winker on his way back in the AFL and he hits spring training on a roll, the Reds just might be willing to start the options clock early with Winker if the team still doesn’t have any better option in left field than they have now.
Robb Hoff is a Cincinnati Reds writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NFLNostradamus, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
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