One at-bat sums up India’s value to Reds

When it looked like the Cincinnati Reds’ season was crumbling before it even started, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell looked to second baseman Jonathan India to pick the team up.

Before the Reds lost Matt McLain, TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte, India was going to be a utility player who would have hit lower in the lineup when he started games. Now, he’s back in the leadoff spot and playing his old position at second base.

He’s in a role that brings out the best version of himself.

“Nobody loves to play more than he does,” Bell said. “If you read between the lines, maybe he could start doubting if it would be every single day no matter what I said. He just made a choice. He knows he’s a good player, and he knows it’s going to work out if he continues to trust himself and have a good attitude. That’s exactly what he did.”

On Sunday, in a walk-off 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals, India worked a 10-pitch at-bat that sums up everything he brings to the Reds. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Reds down by two runs, India battled against Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan and hit a double that started the rally.

After India reached base, center fielder Will Benson drove him in with a game-tying homer. Then, first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand walked it off with another home run.

During the offseason, Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall didn’t want to trade India because he valued his toughness, his competitiveness and his ability to work tough at-bats. This at-bat against the Nationals summed up why the Reds decided to keep him in 2024.

The at-bat also showed who India is when he’s at his best.

“It takes real mental fortitude and longevity,” Benson said about the 10pitch at-bat. “You've got to hold on tight for as long as you can. He did an amazing job.”

At the start of spring training, Friedl and McLain were the leading candidates to hit at the top of the Reds’ order in 2024. When the Reds lost those two players, Bell had to scrap his plans for the Reds’ lineup, and he had to find a way to make up for the production of three of the team’s most talented players.

Bell had a few options. He could have moved Benson to the top of the order. Benson’s combination of power, speed and plate discipline made him a viable candidate. Bell could have put a consistent hitter like Spencer Steer or an incredible base runner like Elly De La Cruz in the No. 1 spot in the lineup.

Bell went with India. The move underscored how important Bell views India in the Reds’ plans for the season.

“I’ve just got to get on (base) for my team,” India said. “That’s my motto when I’m hitting. Take pitches. Work the at-bat. Be a pesky guy in there.”

Batting in the leadoff spot brings that approach out of India. It gives him a chance to get comfortable in a familiar role.

For the Reds to contend this season, they’ll need to be greater than the sum of their parts. When Bell put India back in the leadoff spot, he gave India a chance to lean all the way into the skill set that won him the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2021.

India’s double in the ninth inning against the Nationals was just like the first hit of India’s MLB career. Both were line drives down the left field line.

For India, the ideal at-bat is the one he had in the ninth inning on Sunday.

“It doesn’t get any better than that,” Encarnacion-Strand said. “If India doesn’t get on base, we don’t win the game. That gave us the momentum right there.”

In the Reds’ first series of the season, India went 4-for-12 at the plate with two walks and just one strikeout. Last year, when the Reds’ offense floundered in August, several players said that the lineup was missing India’s competitive approach and his tough at-bats. Now, the Reds have that skill set back in their lineup.

India called Finnegan (28 saves, 47 games finished in 2023) one of the best closers in baseball, and Finnegan fired one hard fastball after another. India found a way to keep fouling them off.

On the eighth pitch of the at-bat, India hit a slow roller right down the third base line. He sprinted to first base to try to beat out an infield single, but the ball spun into foul territory.

Out of breath, India jogged back to the batter’s box and kept battling.

“He’s a natural leader,” Benson said. “You can see by the way he plays and how hard he plays. Those things ooze into the team.”

India doubled Finnegan’s 10th pitch down the left field line. In the process, he set the table for the two most dangerous power hitters in the Reds’ lineup.

Because India was hitting leadoff, he was able to get a fifth at-bat on Sunday. He made the most of it.

“I’m grateful to be in this position again,” India said. “And I’m taking advantage of it.”

During the offseason, India accepted that he was going to be in a much different role this year. But by the time the season started, he was back in the role that he knew the best.

On Sunday, India’s ability as a leadoff hitter saved the day.

“That’s one of the best at-bats I’ve had in my career,” India said. “Mentally grinding and getting through that, that was fun.”

KAREEM ELGAZZAR/THE ENQUIRER