Reds’ India shows he can be a different player in 2023

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India lost about 10 pounds during the offseason, prioritized becoming a more athletic hitter and worked to get back to the gap-to-gap approach at the plate that helped him win the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year award.

When India made all of those changes, he had performances in mind like what he did on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants.

As the Reds beat the Giants, 7-3, on Tuesday at Goodyear Ballpark, India crushed two doubles to left field and walked. After briefly losing his spot as the Reds' full-time leadoff hitter last season, India looks like the ideal hitter for the top of the Reds' lineup in 2023.

“I haven't thought about the lineup too much yet, but he has proven that he's very effective in the leadoff spot,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He's comfortable there. I still think he can hit pretty much anywhere in the lineup. For now, for spring training since he's done it, it's definitely an option and it just gets him more at-bats.”

His second double against the Giants was classic India. Just like he did all the time as a rookie, India showed off his bat speed and pulled a line drive down the left field line for a double. India also scored twice from second base and displayed the speed he added during the winter.

“He got in great shape, lost a little bit of weight, worked on his speed and was working hard defensively, doing things we want to see him do,” Bell said. “The main thing is that leaning out and being able to be as mobile, quick and fast as he can is a big part of his game. He worked hard to make that happen.”