Reds’ Aquino regains confidence after demotion
Aristides Aquino could have sulked after he was designated for assignment at the end of April, the result of a 2for-41 start at the plate with 23 strikeouts.
That’s not Aquino. Sulking isn’t his style. When he reported to Triple-a Louisville after clearing waivers, the right fielder arrived during a game and immediately went to the dugout to cheer on his teammates. In his second at-bat at Louisville, he hit a no-doubt homer to left field.
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And in 10 minor-league games, Aquino totaled three doubles, four homers and 10 RBIS.
“As soon as you’re playing every day, you have opportunities to make adjustments,” Aquino said. That’s how you get your confidence, especially when you’re seeing success. Everything is going how you want it.”
Aquino quickly rewarded the Reds for ending his stay in the minor leagues after a mere two weeks. He hit a two-run double in the Reds’ 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, thumping a slider down the left-field line.
The Reds informed Aquino he was staying in the big leagues, and he responded with a two-homer game Monday.
“It would be great to get him going, great to get him hot,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Offensively the last couple of games, he’s been a big contributor. Defensively, he cut down a couple of runs. He can do a lot.”
Aquino blasted onto the scene in Aug. 2019 with 14 homers and 33 RBIS in
29 games. He set Major League records for the fewest career games to 14 homers and was named the National League Player of the Month.
For the past three seasons, he’s tried to replicate that success.
“I know what kind of talent I’ve got,” Aquino said. “I’m always working hard to do my best. If I have the confidence, I know what I can do on the field.”
There aren’t many players who can match Aquino’s physical tools. He had a throw from the outfield clocked at 101.6 mph. He had two of the five hardest-hit balls during Monday’s 7-4 loss. The Reds never felt like they gave up on him, but they didn’t have time to be patient with him after his rough start.
“You have to make decisions quick because we’re doing everything we can to win games,” Bell said. “At the same time, in fairness to the game of baseball, sometimes it takes a while to get into the season.”