The discussions today have been varied, but one common theme being discussed is if the Reds need to be searching for a right-handed bat to fill their lineup. I say no, and here's why. Below you'll see a table of the splits for all of the likely major players on the Reds (at this point). Splits are at the Major League level except for Hanigan and Dickerson. I've included Bruce's minor league splits because they are far less dramatic than his MLB splits and I expect that his splits will balance more with more experience.
vs LHP vs RHP Votto .289/.356/.477 | .305/.373/.528 Phillips .294/.343/.502 | .249/.294/.394 Keppinger .351/.403/.515 | .258/.309/.336 Gonzalez .247/.298/.402 | .249/.295/.399 Encarnacion .273/.376/.465 | .264/.332/.451 Dickerson .223/.328/.319 | .272/.364/.464 Bruce .190/.263/.299 | .286/.340/.529 -MiLB .289/.349/.526 | .322/.379/.587 Hopper .367/.406/.456 | .282/.341/.315 Hanigan .339/.440/.435 | .289/.382/.369 Hernandez .261/.334/.449 | .263/.323/.410
Now look at those numbers and tell me who you would rather the Reds face this year, a right-handed pitcher or a left-handed pitcher? And let's not forget that the Reds have faced a right-handed starter an average of 111 times a year in the last 6 years. And 69% of their plate appearances last year came against right-handers.
This isn't a team heavy on the lefties anymore. It worries me a lot to see the Reds managing as if it is.
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