Veteran Myers already leading the way for Reds
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — On the backfields at Cincinnati Reds spring training last week, the outfielders were going through a mundane baserunning drill. They were going over how to take leads off second base when new Reds right fielder Wil Myers spoke up.
Myers, a 32-year-old entering his 11th season in Major League Baseball, took note of how the Reds weren’t taking their leads off second base with the same strategy Myers’ former team did. The San Diego Padres had their baserunners cross their left foot over their right foot as they stepped off second base and then hop into a shuffle. The other Reds players just did two shuffles.
As Myers discussed the differences, the Reds outfielders saw some advantages in using the cross-hop method. They tried it out in a few games. Then over the weekend as the Reds played the Oakland Athletics, Jake Fraley scored from second and narrowly beat the throw home. He credited the technique Myers had taught him.
“I’ve seen huge strides in scoring from second base a lot more easily on line drives that usually lead to bangbang plays at home,” Fraley said. “It makes a world of a difference when you have this different secondary lead. It’s not a talent thing. It’s all about technique. I’ve seen the results. It’s huge having Wil here for this exact reason.”
In December, the Reds saw Myers as a perfect fit to sign to a one-year deal. Myers, who won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2013, is a career .254 hitter and has had a 30-home run season. He has played in 1,063 MLB games. The other six outfielders on the Reds’ 40-man roster have combined to play in 619 total MLB games.
“Having his experience in the clubhouse is huge,” Reds outfielder TJ Friedl said. “He’s an outgoing guy and a clubhouse guy. He has the experience to help us younger guys.”
Before they signed Myers, the Reds didn’t have a right-handed power hitter in their lineup. They needed a starting outfielder as well as a player who could fill in at first base until Joey Votto recovers from his shoulder injury. And the front office wanted another veteran leader on a team that didn’t have much experience in the starting lineup aside from Votto.
Myers sees an opportunity to impact the team by sharing his experiences on rebuilding teams and playoff teams. Myers’ perspective has already led to runs on the board by showing the team a new way to lead off from second base.
“Any time anyone has a question, I want to help them out and share my experience,” Myers said. “That’s important. I had guys like that growing up. Ben Zobrist. David Dejesus. James Shields. I want to see if I can do that as well. It’s not always about what makes you a better player. It’s also about the big league lifestyle and helping them learn how to be a big leaguer.”