Reds Offense in May is Coming Out of Left Field

by Slyde on May 28, 2010 2:22 PM EDT in Stat-Colored Glasses

Remember way back when during the off-season when we thought the Reds were going to be screwed in left field? I recall saying at one point that the Reds were too weak offensively in left and that would ultimately be their downfall. Well, Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix would kindly like to ask me and everyone else to shove it.

Since the start of May, the duo, along with a few plate appearances by Chris Heisey, have given the Reds the second most productive offense out of the left field position in the majors. The three have combined to bat .340/.382/.650 while playing left during the month of May, posting a .436 wOBA that trails only the Cubs at .456. They are first or second in position rankings for the month in hits, doubles, home runs, and RBI.

Gomes in particular has been incredible this month, hitting .414/.463/.690 with a .488 wOBA in 67 plate appearances as a left fielder in May. His outstanding month has helped bump production from the Reds left fielders up to 5th best in the NL for the season. Not bad considering what desperate straights it appeared to be in just days before spring training started.

It wouldn't be fair to make this all about the left fielders though. Here are the batting lines for each of the Reds' defensive position for May and their positional wOBA rank in the NL during the month.

Pos	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	Rank
P	.222	.236	.315	.244	1st
C	.286	.381	.385	.339	6th
1B	.364	.429	.626	.453	2nd
2B	.270	.336	.490	.364	4th
3B	.287	.34	.532	.375	2nd
SS	.301	.362	.379	.339	5th
LF	.340	.382	.650	.436	2nd
CF	.277	.352	.511	.372	4th
RF	.270	.393	.382	.354	7th

There's a whole lotta hittin' going on around here!

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Comments

And yes, I realize that we are getting more production in May from 1B

but I felt like we needed to talk about someone other than Miguel Cairo for once.

Red Reporter or follow on Twitter: @redreporter. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!

by Slyde on May 28, 2010 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

Any chance to talk about how badass Jonny Gomes is

is a chance worth taking.

I mean, honestly, how freakin’ awesome is it to look at our entire 40-man roster and see no glaring weaknesses?

I just spent 10 minutes trying to think of a way to increase our clubs value by trading Harang (and eating millions) when Volquez gets back, and I still don’t have an answer. I honestly don’t know what I’d change (realistically.)

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on May 28, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Our pitchers are awesome!

…at hitting.

by Brendanukkah on May 28, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

Leake'd

see what I did there with uzr? it’s like a LOL cats saber-pun combo.--Verka Serduchka

by nycredsfan on May 28, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

This lil' snippet from Jayson Stark's chat on ESPN today:

“Jayson Stark (1:44 PM)

Little known facts: The Reds, last time I checked, had scored more runs than any team in the league in May. They’re in the top two in defense. And their rotation is 13-1 over the last three weeks. So where exactly is the hole in that team? And if they don’t have one, why can’t they win that division?"

Me likes.

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on May 28, 2010 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Over this run

there hasn’t really been a hole, other than the bullpen I guess. But this is tempered by (1) our crappy opposition, (2) the chance of injuries, and (3) the likelihood that people are producing over their heads regardless.

Of course…if they can keep producing at these levels then they most definitely could win the division. And I want to believe they can!

(I really do.)

Let me write out a formal proof for you.

by Gray on May 28, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

like I said

keep beating the teams they are supposed to beat and play .500 against the rest. If they can do that, they’ll be in it.

Red Reporter or follow on Twitter: @redreporter. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!

by Slyde on May 28, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope this offensive onslaught continues!

I realize a regression is likely, but here’s hoping it’s a small one.

Also I received my book in the mail today. I haven’t started reading it but should get a chance to a bit before the game. It looks great though, congrats again.
Long Live the ‘90 (’10) REDS!

by DocRam on May 28, 2010 3:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions