Reds need more production @ 3B

[Redsnake]

EE has 32 RBI!!!
71 games too go and EE is on pace for 60 RBI at best!! Rich Aurilla projects better numbers than that. Ryan Zimmerman trails him by 5 RBI and he hasn't played since May 25th.

Why Mr. Jocketty do you list him as an untouchable when he is 29th in RBI production among 3B eligible players. Now I know RBI's are not the total anwser at one position. But his OPS and OBS have fallen in each of the last 3 years. Add that with his below .250 avg and you have a ......"Untouchable"!?!?

I know the Reds won't land a A. Rameriz, Wright or M.Cabrera. But I pray that they get a Garrett Atkins, Alex Gordon, Jorge Cantu (oops!!) type player someday.

[markymark69]

Don't disagree with what you are saying and EE (who I like) is wildly inconsistent.

But how is a guy who bats predominantly 6th or 7th in the batting order supposed to drive in runs when, for the most part, he comes to the plate with nobody on base?

If you start you stacking his numbers up against the rest of the team, they really aren't that bad (comparably). 13 HR (3rd), 32 RBI (5th), 32 walks (T3rd), 44 runs scored (T2nd). Again that is for a guy who bats predominantly 6th or 7th --- not 3rd or 4th.

Of course, that could also be an idictment on the rest of the club and a reason why they are five games under .500 at this point.

[bgwilly31]

judging a player by rbi's with this years team is a terrible way of judging a player.

However im not happy with the way EE is playing this year either. Neither are the reds apparently considering he's a hit or miss start these days.

[texasdave]

Originally Posted by bgwilly31

judging a player by rbi's with this years team is a terrible way of judging a player.

However im not happy with the way EE is playing this year either. Neither are the reds apparently considering he's a hit or miss start these days.

A semi-platooned untouchable.

[Kingspoint]

The team's 3B production is just fine. EE has been one of the team's 3 best hitters over the last 40 games. Keppinger will continue to play some 3rd Base. So between them, that's pretty good. The RBI's for EE were poor in June, but it will balance itself out to where he'll have quite a few from here on to the end of the season.

[thorn]

Yet Votto has hit lower than EE for most of the year and has more RBI's. Everyone complains know one is on base, BS. Who has hit in front of EE for most of the year? Dunn, check his OBP and on occasions, Votto, maybe you should check his too. EE is a weak 3B, and either needs to pick it up or hit the road.

[markymark69]

Thorn,

I don't disagree that EE doesn't have to improve. But, how much can we legitimately expect out of the 6th/7th place hitter when a lot runners are not in scoring position?

I checked on Dunn and Votto. Although the OPS for both is good, take away Dunn's 22 home runs and he has 22 runs scored, take away Votto's 12 home runs and he has 25. That is not very many for either.

Besides, who are you going to replace him with? EE will have better power numbers (HR, RBI's) than Keppinger will, more than Freel.

EE isn't the end all, be all at 3B, but he is the best option right now for the Reds and he's still young, this is only his 3rd full year at MLB level.

My basic point is, the Reds have more serious problems than EE at third base. Could he stand to pick it up, yes, but that could be said for about six others in the starting line-up as well.

[Kingspoint]

Not only does EE lead the team in OBP over the last 30 days,....

But, he also leads the team in SLG over the last 30 days.

He had a very good season from the beginning of June on last season, and it's looking like he's doing the same again.

Case closed.

[Kingspoint]

footnote::::

He's 3rd among all National League 3rd Basemen in OPS over the last 30 days.

I hope your eyes haven't been closed because you've been missing seeing the team's best hitter over the last 30 days.

Now that your eyes have been opened enjoy the rest of the season watching EE hit AND drive in runs.

[Orenda]

Anyone else notice how much of pull oriented hitter Encarnacion has become? He rarely ever goes the other way anymore which he used to do much more frequently. I haven't noticed how other teams have been alligning there defenses against him but after looking at his hitting chart he seems like a good candidate for a defensive shift. I used to think he had a good chance at becoming a solid offensive player, but it seems as if he's focusing more on putting up power numbers then becoming a good all around hitter.

[ChatterRed]

I believe Chipper Jones is available after this season.

[44Magnum]

It's time for EE to go. He is what he is!

[Redsnake]

footnote:

Best among 3B in the last 30 days for OPS.
The 30 days before that he had a sub .499 OPS.

While in the same breath his OPS is dropping each of the last 3 season.

[Kingspoint]

Originally Posted by 44Magnum

It's time for EE to go. He is what he is!

....and what is that? The player who's 3rd among 3rd Basemen in OPS over the last 30 days or the players that leads all the REDS in OPS over the last 30 days.

Relax and remember how young Encarnacion actually is. He's improved each of the last two seasons, and if the last 30 days are any indication, he's going to have a terrific summer.

Sit back, relax and enjoy watching one of our better players.

[Kingspoint]

Originally Posted by Redsnake

footnote:

Best among 3B in the last 30 days for OPS.
The 30 days before that he had a sub .499 OPS.

While in the same breath his OPS is dropping each of the last 3 season.

Forget April and May.

Pay attention to what he's doing right now and what he did from June to October of last year.

Larkin always had horrible Aprils. Encarnacion appears to be the same way. He's OPS over .900 over the last 30 days.

Enjoy watching it. The grass is not greener on the other side.

Buy a new REDS' cap and enjoy these games. Tomorrow's game is on WGN.