Ludwick's rehab assignment creates anticipation for complete lineup

Ryan Ludwick is entering a rehab stint with the Dayton Dragons on Wednesday and will move up the ranks of the minors during that rehab period in order to be integrated back with the Reds in the next twenty days. Ludwick will probably be back before those twenty days are through. I would guess the Reds will take it pretty slowly, but I could see him coming back as soon as the Cardinals series from August 2-4.

Ludwick's presence alone presents the Reds with a more appealing lineup for the final two months of the season. The Reds can shift Ludwick in the fourth spot in the order when he comes back and let him gradually work the rust off of his swing. Shin-Soo Choo and Brandon Phillips would then become the first two hitters with Joey Votto remaining in the third spot. Phillips is a natural fit in the second spot in the order just as Ludwick fits in the cleanup spot. Ludwick will take some time to get back to hitting like he did late last season. In fact, he said he might not be one hundred percent for the rest of this season. I do believe Ludwick can hit about ten to fifteen home runs before the season ends because of his resiliency and experience with injuries in the past. Ludwick has been around the league for quite some time now. He fractured his hip coming up to the majors with Texas in 2002, so he knows his body well and can adjust to the ups and downs of coming back from major surgery.

Ludwick's freak injury from sliding into third base during the first game of this season threw the Reds off of their plan for the season. Chris Heisey then struggled at the plate and consequently stepped up when he came back off the DL from an injury himself. Derrick Robinson and Xavier Paul have hit well at times this season, but both can be streaky at the plate. Adding Ludwick to the plethora of left fielders available to the Reds right now will stabilize the position and add competition. Paul will probably remain on the team as a lefty bat although Robinson offers his switch hitting and dynamic speed. The Reds never steal bases under Dusty Baker as manager, however, so Robinson's speed only goes so far in Cincinnati. Ludwick and Heisey could even platoon at the left field position, giving Ludwick time to catch up and Heisey more opportunities to raise his batting average back to a respectable number. Here is what the lineup will look like in a few weeks and how it helps the Reds.

1. Shin-Soo Choo-No changes here. Choo has been an expert all season long at getting on base and earning timely hits, so he will deservedly remain leading off.
2. Brandon Phillips-Phillips hits best batting second, according to GM Walt Jocketty in an AP story. "He has been all over the lineup and has been great about it, but we think his best spot in the order is second," Jocketty said earlier this year. Phillips should be applauded for his work in the cleanup spot with over seventy RBI's already, but he can focus at getting on base and moving runners over in the two hole.
3. Joey Votto-Much like Choo, Votto deserves to hit third, although batting him second right now without Ludwick in the lineup is an appealing option. Dusty Baker will never move Votto out of the third spot in the order.
4. Ryan Ludwick-The catalyst of the Reds' lineup. When he is in the lineup, he brings the Reds stability and a consistently productive group from top to bottom. When he is injured, the Reds tend to be inconsistent. Even though Cincinnati is twelve games over .500, the team can and will improve with a healthy fourth hitter.
5. Jay Bruce-Dusty Baker won't move Bruce in the order because he is one of the team's best power hitters and Baker doesn't want him in the fourth spot with back-to-back left handers. Bruce will have more opportunities for RBI's with Ludwick hitting in front of him.
6. Todd Frazier-Frazier was best last season with Ludwick excelling a couple spots ahead of him in the order. Both Frazier and Ludwick had career seasons and spectacular second halves last year, and they were two of the key reasons the Reds won the division crown.
7. Zack Cozart-Cozart is a quality player in the seventh spot in the order. The problem comes about when the Reds try to bat a shortstop who struggles to make contact second in the lineup. Cozart continues to exceed expectations with his impact fielding ability and has shown an ability to go through hitting surges. His main problem is consistency and putting together a string of productive hitting performances. That will come with more and more at bats. For now, let Cozart get through his troubles hitting seventh.
8. Devin Mesoraco-Right now, it seems that Mesoraco has surpassed Cozart as the best young player getting playing time in the Reds' batting order. Mesoraco is hitting .241 this season, a respectable mark for a catcher, and has shown some power with four homers and twenty-one RBI's in his 179 at bats. Mesoraco could see an increase in playing time with Ryan Hanigan struggling to stay healthy and get hits this season.
9. Pitcher-Mike Leake and Mat Latos are the two best hitting pitchers on the team. However, there is no Micah Owings on this Reds team hitting wise.

Is left field in trouble for the Reds?

The Cincinnati Reds have the 2nd best record in baseball. There is no doubt that this team is reaching its potential for greatness this season. However, a key moment happened yesterday against the Cleveland Indians that may have cost the team the game in the Reds' 5-2 loss. In the top of the 6th inning, Xavier Paul found himself up to bat with the bases loaded down a run. Paul grounded into a double play, ending the Reds' threat that inning. That brings me to my main point. Can the Reds be successful long term by playing patchwork outfielders for the large majority of the summer?

Ryan Ludwick went down during opening day of the season. He has had surgery and isn't supposed to be back until at least mid-August. I don't expect Ludwick to be in the lineup until early September, and who knows if he will be the effective slugger he once was when he returns. Chris Heisey, who is currently out with an injury of his own, was very underwhelming when he was filling in for Ludwick. He hit just .173 in 75 at bats. Heisey also struck out 20 times and had an OBP of .195. He is currently trying to work his way back on the field and into the starting lineup.

Donald Lutz, Derrick Robinson, and Xavier Paul have each been admirable in replacing Ludwick, but none of the three has ever had a full season to play every day. Xavier Paul and Robinson were both picked up in free agency over the last two years. They were not sought after players when they were available. Donald Lutz is still just a prospect learning the game. He was called up from Double A and is virtually unknown in a long term role. These three can't be counted on to play well for almost a full season. They haven't done it before, and the upside for Robinson and Paul is limited. Paul is a very good situational player and fourth outfielder, but he doesn't generate the power needed to play left field every day. He has just 3 homers this season, but to his credit has a .393 OBP and an average of .277. Robinson's best tool is his fielding and running ability. He would be a good leadoff hitter for the Reds, but the team is set at that spot. 

The best case scenario for Cincinnati right now is for Paul to continue to play well and for Heisey to hit well when he comes back from the DL. Heisey has the best skill set to be a long term option at left field; he just hasn't proven it. If Paul and Heisey can platoon effectively in the 6th spot in the batting order until September, more power to them. The organization would be very happy. If not, this team could be in trouble and unable to hold steady in the race with St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Reds would then have to go the trade route and further deplete their farm system, which would be bad for the future of the team. Cincinnati has to hope the weight on the shoulders of the current left fielders isn't too much to bare and that they can continue to reach base at a high rate.