The 2023 Cincinnati Reds are embracing 'small ball'
During his life in baseball, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has never made the words “small ball” a part of his vocabulary.
He views “small ball” as a label that doesn’t properly capture what the term is all about. There’s nothing “little” about getting on base, moving runners over and running the bases aggressively. Bell was a “small ball” type of player during his MLB career, and he knows the impact that details can have during a game.
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Even if Bell doesn’t use the term, the 2023 Reds are set up to play more small ball than any Reds team that Bell has coached. Between 2019 and 2021, the Reds prioritized power at nearly every position and had a deep lineup with a big group of players who could hit 25 home runs in a season. Last year, the Reds had an older lineup with veterans who didn’t have the skill sets to be impact baserunners.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto is the best power hitter on the 2023 Reds, and he’s currently on the injured list. Bell knows this year’s Reds will have to play with some different strategies.
“It’s not like I don’t believe in all the things that add up to being called small ball,” Bell said. “For me, it’s the personnel you have and tailoring all your strategies to what is the best fit for your team and not doing things that a team is not capable of. Trying to be really great at the strengths our team does have.”
The strength of the 2023 Reds is athleticism and baserunning. During spring training, Bell and baserunning coach Collin Cowgill drilled in baserunning more than the Reds had in previous seasons over the last five years. One day during March, the Reds brought a bunting specialist into camp in Goodyear, Arizona. Jonathan India, Jose Barrero, Will Benson, TJ Friedl and Stuart Fairchild all have the potential to steal bases often this season.
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During the Reds’ 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, the Reds showed some early signs of this year’s style of play. They played great defense. Tyler Stephenson embraced putting the ball in play during the first inning for an RBI groundout. India changed the momentum of the fifth inning by advancing from first base to third base on a single by designated hitter Jake Fraley.
“Edge is how teams like us win,” India said.
The Reds have tried to build a team that can take advantage of the new rule changes in MLB. With restrictions on defensive shifts, hitters are encouraged to put the ball in play more often. With limits on the amount of pickoffs and bigger bases, stolen bases are expected to increase.
The Reds don’t have the power to match up with star hitters in the NL Central like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Dansby Swanson and Willy Adames. The Reds are embracing a different style of play to make the most of their current roster.
“The action on the bases, baserunning (is) even more important,” Bell said. “I would anticipate being able to see a real difference in the type of game (we play).”
Minor league updates
The Reds set their Triple-A roster on Saturday, with three prospects headlining the active roster. Brandon Williamson and Levi Stoudt are at the top of the Louisville Bats’ starting rotation, and shortstop Matt McLain continues his quick rise through the farm system by beginning the year in Triple-A.
Top prospects Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) will start the year on the injured list, but they’re both expected back in the middle of April. Votto was officially sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A on Saturday.
Outfielder Henry Ramos, who was in the mix for a spot on the Reds’ big league roster until the final week of spring training, is suspended to start the Triple-A season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The 2023 Cincinnati Reds are embracing 'small ball'
