Alcantara showing his worth as a utility player
Versatile 25-year-old is hitting .250 with two HRs and two steals.
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. — Arismendy Alcantara has the right skills for a job on the Reds’ bench. His role
will be the duct tape and 3-in-One oil that keep households running.
The starting eight have been set, although catcher Devin Mesoraco’s litany of surgeries may delay his availability for opening day.
Alcantara can hit for average, run and play multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. Depending on how many pitchers the Reds keep, the bench will have four or five players on any given night. Alcantara started Tuesday’s 9-1 loss to the Angels at third base. So far he has played center field in
six games, shortstop in seven and second base in six.
“I’m really impressed with him in center,” manager Bryan Price said. “He just needs to get comfortable. He’s on a new team where people don’t know him that well. He’s trying to make an impression.”
Alcantara was signed by the Cubs in 2008 as a 17-yearold. He spent three seasons in Class A ball before he reached Double-A Tennessee in 2013. He started the 2014 season at Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs chain and was hitting .307 in 89 games with 10 home runs, a surprising power number for a guy who is 5 feet 10, 170 pounds.
The Cubs called him up July 9, and he made his debut against the Reds that night. Alcantara finished the season with the Cubs, appearing in 70 games, 48 in center and 21 at second. He hit .205 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Alcantara made the Cubs out of spring training in 2015 but played in just 11 games. Alcantara was optioned to Iowa in April and earned a spot on the Pacific Coast AllStar team with a .231 average in 120 games with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. He led the league with 12 triples.
Alcantara spent last season with Oakland, having been traded for outfielder Chris Coghlan. When the A’s cut him loose, the Reds claimed him on waivers at the end of the season.
This year the Reds offered Alcantara a chance to win a place on their bench. After early jitters on defense, especially at shortstop, where he made two errors, he has been exceptional in the field.
“He has a rare skill set,” Price said. “He can run. He’s a switch-hitter with surprising power. His ability to play multiple positions makes it easier for a manager to find playing time.”
Alcantara, who made a nice play at third base against the Angels on the first ball hit to him Tuesday, is hitting .250 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and two stolen bases.
The 25-year old is out of options. The Reds would have to expose him to waivers if he doesn’t make the team.
Cody Reed had by far his best outing of the spring with 5⅔ shutout innings Tuesday, allowing
Reed outstanding:
just a single to Ben Revere. He walked two and struck out five, including his last batter, Kole Calhoun. Reed was relieved by Evan Mitchell with two outs and the bases empty when he reached his pitch limit. Mitchell struck out Mike Trout, but Reed wanted him.
“When Price walked out there, I said, ‘You’re not going to let me get this guy out,’” Reed said. “He said, ‘No, I want Mitchell to get it.’ I said, ‘Awwww.’ I wanted to get (Trout) out.”
One of the seven pitchers with a chance at three open spots in the starting rotation, Reed has allowed four runs in his past 12⅓ innings for a 2.84 ERA.
Iglesias still out: Pitcher Raisel Iglesias, scratched from a minor league appearance Friday with a sore elbow, still is not throwing. Results from a Monday exam were not available Tuesday morning.
Raburn rules: Ryan Raburn hit his team-leading third home run of the spring off Angels starter and former Red J.C. Ramirez. Raburn is a nonroster utility player auditioning for a backup/pinch-hitting role for the Reds.