Jesse Winker is currently hitting .314/.395/.408 this season for the Louisville Bats. He’s hit 22 doubles and two home runs for the Bats this season in 85 games. That’s also come along with 38 walks and 46 strikeouts. Since May began he’s been even better, hitting .329/.409/.434 in 264 plate appearances.
Scott Schebler currently occupies one of the two positions that Jesse Winker can play in Cincinnati. It’s been a tough month of July for Schebler, who is hitting .136 on the month with four walks. The Reds right fielder has been dealing with a shoulder injury that’s been nagging at him. He originally injured the shoulder in June, but Bryan Price noted over the weekend that it’s been bothering him ever since.
Would it make sense to put Scott Schebler on the 10-day disabled list to just let him rest his shoulder and call up Jesse Winker to start every day until he’s ready to return? It would be beneficial to actually get Winker some every day playing time in the Major Leagues. While he’s been on the Reds roster a few different times this year, he’s never actually been given a few days in a row of playing time. For Schebler, the rest may get him back on track. Since August of 2016 he has performed quite well in every month with the exception of July.
Gabriel Guerrero finding his power
Gabriel Gurerrero was claimed off of waivers by the Cincinnati Reds at the end of November. He didn’t last very long on the 40-man roster before the team designated him for assignment. He cleared waivers and elected free agency, but re-signed with the Reds almost immediately.
The outfielder has been known for his impressive raw power for quite a while. In spring training you could see it on display during batting practice. The ball would jump off of his bat. Once the season started he joined the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, who play in a pitcher friendly, but when he went homerless in April it was surprising. He then went homerless in May. And June.
After not hitting any home runs in the first three months, spanning 71 games for the Blue Wahoos, Gabriel Guerrero has picked up the power output. In 27 games played in July the 23-year-old has hit four home runs, including a 400+ foot shot last night in Birmingham.