LIMA – Scott Schebler is expected to be the starting right fielder when the Cincinnati Reds open the 2017 season and he is expecting a much better start than the one in 2016.
Rewind to opening day last year. Coming out of spring training, Schebler had made the roster and was expected to platoon with Adam Duvall in left field. But Schebler’s stay with the Reds was short lived when he struggled at the plate and was sent down within the first two months after hitting .188.
Schebler got another chance to prove himself when Jay Bruce was dealt to the Mets in August and this time the 26-year-old produced. Not only did he deliver several key hits to win games but Schebler displayed the talent that made him a top prospect in the Dodgers organization and one of the reasons the Reds traded for him.
In the last 44 games for the Reds at the end of the season, Schebler hit .292 with 7 home runs and 28 RBI. The solid offensive output put him in position to be the starting right fielder for Reds for the upcoming season. For the year, Schebler hit .265 with 9 home runs and 40 RBI.
“I’m am just ready to compete for a job,” said Schebler at the Reds Caravan stop in Lima on Friday “That is kind of my mindset going in. I don’t think any job is mine per say. I think I want to go in with the mentality to work and earn a job. Going into spring training that is my thought process.”
Schebler said playing every day was one of the keys to his success the second time around.
“I think that it gave me confidence going out there every day and getting used to the speed of the game at that level, the big league level,” Schebler said. “Something I needed to do was to get that every day playing time and to experience it, to overcome it, and then have the confidence in myself and that was a great thing.”
With the self-assurance that he can produce at the highest level, the Reds are hoping he is part of that youth movement that will garner more victories. On paper, the Reds possess one of the most promising outfields in the National League with Duvall in left, Billy Hamilton in center and Schebler in right.
Schebler said he believes all the parts are there to surprise some people.
“First of all I think the clubhouse environment is great,” Schebler said. “We have a lot of good people in the clubhouse and that is first and foremost and I think the play will come along with the experience. I feel really, really good about our chances this year.”
Schebler admits he has set no real number’s goals. He just wants to compete and be consistent. One area the Iowa native will be focusing on in spring training is his strike zone awareness. Last year, he struck out 59 times in 282 plate appearances.
“I just want to make sure I am swinging at strikes,” Schebler said. “It is tough to work on during the off season so going into spring training that will kind of be my emphasis.”
Going into the season, Schebler added that he wants the fans to be proud of the team again.
While Schebler is the first wave of new, young talent the Reds are banking on, Blake Trahan is hoping to be part of the team in the next couple of years that will help the Reds be competitive in the tough National League Central.
Trahan, considered one of the top prospects in the Reds organization, spent last year in the Florida Sun League with the Daytona Tortugas. As their shortstop, Trahan hit .268 with 5 home runs and 62 RBI. As the Tortugas’ leadoff man, he stole 35 bases and had an on base percentage of .337.
“I feel like this organizations to be successful,” Trahan said. “From the bottom up. I was at the bottom two years ago and I felt there was drive to produce some young players and try to move them up.”
Trahan said he feels he is in the right place at the right time with the latest youth organization and now he wants to work hard and earn himself a spot on the big league club.
Trahan is expected to start in either Double A or Triple A at the onset of the year. The Louisiana born infielderd said he wants to work on his power game and add a little punch to his offensive game.
“If I perform I can be there soon.” Trahan said. “No matter where I am at I just want to be happy and be a great teammate and go and get better. If I do that I’ll be at the highest level soon.”
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