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The Cincinnati Reds’ 2015 season has been a train wreck, as offensive woes have plagued the team all season. The one thing that has been consistent is meager production from the leadoff spot.
On the season, the Reds have had five different players hit in the leadoff spot, scrounging up a miniscule .217 batting average with an on-base percentage of .272. Additionally, they have tallied four home runs and driven in 13 runs. The Reds have yearned to have a solid leadoff hitter (and had one for a year in Shin-Soo Choo), but year after year they have lacked this facet on offense.
Billy Hamilton held the leadoff position for the majority of the year, but he struggled mightily, proving that he may not be ready for the leadoff role yet. This development has many fans clamoring for Cincinnati to go out and trade for a leadoff hitter to sign long term, but they don’t need to do that. Why you ask? Simply because the solution to their lack of such a weapon can be found within their system with a catch – he won’t be major league-ready for another couple years.
So who am I talking about? Daytona Tortuga’s center fielder Phillip Ervin.
In 55 games in Advanced A-ball, Ervin has hit .262 with and an on-base percentage of .340. What is even better is that he is not just getting on base, but producing from the position as well. In 50 games where he has batted in the leadoff spot he hit .264 with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in.
Ervin, the Reds’ No. 9 prospect, was drafted with 27th overall pick in 2013 with multiple tools in mind, but he was praised for his hitting ability thanks to his great bat speed. Now two years later, Ervin has shown signs of potential to fill the organization’s need for a leadoff hitter.
In his two years, Ervin has played in 233 career minor league games and risen up to Advanced-A ball. In his 233 games, he has hit .262 (.377 OBP) with 25 home runs and 136 runs batted in. Fans should not be quick to discount Ervin if they see his statistics decline with each promotion. Ervin has been on a tear as of late, hitting .302 in his last 10 games, and if he keeps it up he could find himself in Pensacola soon. Ultimately, it will be great if Ervin can reach the majors and manage to hit .265-.275 with a .300 plus on-base percentage.
So while many fans, including me, are clamoring for Cincinnati to go out and acquire a leadoff hitter at the trade deadline, I urge to them to do another “rental player” deal, because the Reds have their solution; he’s just not ready yet.
Chad Troyan is a baseball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
