The Reds expect and need more from Jimmer Candelario

The veteran had a poor start in the first season of his three-year, $45 million deal with Cincinnati.

Jimer Candelario He was the veteran voice in the group Cincinnati Reds He was confident that in 2024 I would help him lead one of the youngest and most dynamic teams in the dressing room. Big leagues.

After a year in which he set personal bests in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and OPS (not counting the coronavirus-shortened season), the Reds made the decision to bring a versatile player to their ranks who provides depth to multiple positions and who has the ability to create solid contact. Runners are allowed to score from any base.

The idea turned into an agreement for 3 years and 45 million dollars calendar He will contribute his expertise to Big leagues For the team, as well as its productivity, and although there is no doubt that the former was present from the moment the Dominican entered the locker room, productivity was evident by its absence.

After the first month of work calendar With the RedsThings on the offensive level did not go well at all. calendar He hit just .189 with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .282 and a slugging percentage (SLG) of .378, which is good for an OPS of .659. He hit three home runs, drove in nine runs and scored 10 runs. Perhaps the most problematic signs are that of his 90 official at-bats, 35 ended with the Dominican striking out, meaning about 40 percent of his at-bats ended with the fielder getting fanned. What's worse is the reality of it Candelario has only walked 10 times.

To this we must add that defensively, when he played third base, calendar It was not a security contribution. In the 22 games he played there this season, he had a DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) of -2, meaning his defense cost the team two runs. RedsThis is a situation that should also attract attention.

It is important to note that a month into the season, there is still a long way to go and the Dominicans are capable of righting the ship. Despite this, the first signs have not been encouraging and the Reds expect and need more Jimer Candelario.