This is the fifth report card I have given out to the starting players for the Cincinnati Reds.
I started it by giving first baseman Joey Votto an A, followed by Brandon Phillips, whom I graded a solid B.
Next up was shortstop Paul Janish, who inherited the starting role when Alex Gonzalez was sent to the Boston Red Sox. Janish barely made muster as he received a disappointing D+ due to his anemic bat.
He was followed by third baseman Scott Rolen, who came in after approximately 3/4 of the season was over. Scott received a B+ performing both offensively and defensively with a very respectable measure.
Jonny Gomes didn't make the club coming out of spring training. His tenacity and hard work paid off for him as he was brought up from Louisville on May 22 in a home series with the Cleveland Indians.
Largely used as a pinch-hitter during most of his first several games, he began platooning with Laynce Nix among others playing left field and right field.
Gomes' power was highlighted as he hit 20 HR in only 314 plate appearances. Based on a 502 AB, that would yield 32 round-trippers.
His average was up .042 from his career total up through last (2008) season, .267 to .235. His OPS+ this year was a very respectable 127.
The highlight of his season came on August 13 at home against the Washington Nationals. He blasted three home runs and drove in five in four at bats.
He had one other game in which he left the yard more than once, belting two in a game against the San Diego Padres.
Although far from flashy in the field, and certainly not fleet of foot, Gomes committed only two errors this season.
He is not the best base-runner on the squad but did manage three steals while being thrown out only once.
A pretty decent year for a man who didn't make the team originally.
Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments