Now, that the Reds are fully healthy as far as position players, it’s going to be increasingly difficult to get everyone playing time.
Todd Frazier and Chris Heisey were out of the lineup for the second straight day. Scott Rolen started at third and Ryan Ludwick started in left field.
Frazier, Heisey and Ludwick will share left. Frazier will get some time at third and Heisey will get some time in center. Frazier, in fact, will be in there at third tomorrow, and Heisey will likely be in center.
“It’s better than not having them,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “It’s a good problem to have.”
Baker is looking for RBI from Ludwick and Frazier.
“Everybody preaches on base percentage, which is great,” Baker said. “But I was talking to (Detroit manager) Jim Leyland about this the other day. You’ve got to have someone to drive them in. The name of the game is touch home plate the most.”
Ludwick went into Tuesday hitting .227. He had 31 RBI in 172 at-bats. That’s 5.54 at-bats per RBI. Frazier was hitting .264 with 22 RBI in 144 at-bats (a 6.54 ratio). Heisey was hitting .262 with 15 RBI in 195 at-bats (a 13.0 ratio). Heisey, however, hits up in the order mostly.
“Ludwick has been very productive at driving in runs,” Baker said. “Which had been one of our downfalls this year, especially RBIs with two outs.”
Actually, Ludwick (.167) and Frazier (.176) have similar batting averages with runners in scoring position and two outs. Heisey’s been the best of the bunch (.259).
“We’ll see who’s hot and who can do what,” Baker said. “A lot of times, batting average can be a misconception if there’s not run production. I’d rather have both. When you do, you have an All-Star.”
Baker knows fans are going to be displeased either way.
“Not matter who you play, they’ll be hollering for someone else,” he said.