He reminds me of former Red farmhand Chris Denorfia. Versus RH pitchers, he should be a decent option. As a reserve OF, he's be a cheap source of solid defense, speed, and OBP.
Printable View
He reminds me of former Red farmhand Chris Denorfia. Versus RH pitchers, he should be a decent option. As a reserve OF, he's be a cheap source of solid defense, speed, and OBP.
From what I’ve read, TJ has speed and can play a pretty good CF.
I’d consider him for Reds’ fifth OFer next season.
If he can hit decently, he can add some of the speed and defense the OF is missing. Low cost, pre-arb, not a huge role, but could add a dimension.
This year his improvement in play makes Mark Payton's 40 man roster spot 100% up for grabs. They are kind of the same guy. Who cares if you lose Payton on a waiver claim if you can fill the same role with Friedl? They can fill the Shogo role of backup OF once he is gone.
I think he fills the organizational roster spot of Mark Payton but with real upside. He's 25. He's not going to become Mike Cameron, but I think he could be a passable starter, and he's a great fifth OF.
To those that said Denorfia, absolutely. The other old Reds farmhand that comes to mind is Brady Clark. Hope he gets an extended look at some point.
Denorfia put up an 11 bWAR career, I doubt TJ sniffs that.
I'm not overly optimistic about Friedl but he definitely deserves the opportunity to be the depth guy riding the shuttle more than Mark Payton.
If he was a righty bat, he might be an option now. He's kind of redundant with Shogo and Naquin which makes it hard to fit him on the roster.
I wouldn't promote him now for the sake of his own development, but I think the question will have to be posed and answered at some point as to whether he's a better CF option than Shogo.
Am I right in looking forward and seeing as many as seven Red rookies putting in at least partial seasons for the parent club-- Lodolo and Greene in the starting rotation, Ashcraft and O'Brien as relief arms, Lopez and Friedl as bench bats, and Barrero as its starting SS?
Hopefully, next year will be about more pitching and defense. If so, and I hope it’s so, Friedl likely can help off the bench.
Mth makes a good point that he’s redundant with Shogo as a bench player since both are LHH outfielders. I’m not sure how to respond to that, I don’t expect Reds to move Shogo. It’s an issue.
But Friedl’s skill set would seem a nice fit.
I don't know about Ashcraft and O'Brien, though I suspect next year both will see some time with the Reds. I expect the other five to be on the opening day roster. I think there's a good chance Lopez is more than a bench bat. My projected infield for next opening day is Votto, Lopez, Barrero, and either India or Senzel at 3rd, with the other in a corner OF. Defense needs radical improvement and I'd like to see some intentional injury prevention for Senzel.
What happens to Suarez and Moose? I guess DH for one in this scheme. But Winker and Votto also DH candidates, Joey will be 38. If there’s a DH.
I like your thinking, but I’m concerned dollars/contracts may dictate some of these positions.
Also not sure Lopez will be a starter, but Reds may not get to that decision if Moose and Suarez are around with one at third base and India at second.
Lot of issues for 2022. Big question is how aggressive Reds will be in restructuring.