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Reds 3B experiment with top prospect might be bad news for Ke'Bryan Hayes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Reds are going through a rough patch of the season right now. After getting out to a hot start, the team dropped seven games in a row, including a four-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs.
Something needs to change, and there are a few ways to improve the team, beyond simply playing better. One of those would be to get healthier with the pitching staff, but the other can be addressed right now, and it has to do with Ke'Bryan Hayes.
As Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports, the Reds are conducting an interesting 3B experiment down in the minor leagues, switching Edwin Arroyo to third base. This experiment might be bad news for Hayes, who could lose his 3B job this season.
Reds' 3B experiment is a bad omen for Ke'Bryan Hayes
"Reds INF prospect Edwin Arroyo, hitting .301 with a .380 OBP this season at Louisville, is starting at 3B tonight for the second time over the past week," Clifford reports. "Of Arroyo's 3,391 total innings across his pro career, only 31 have come at 3B. An interesting development."
This experiment from the Reds doesn't have a direct answer, but looking at the statistics, it's very likely that this is in response to Hayes' struggles this year.
The $70 million infielder they acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is a two-time Gold Glove award winner at third base, is hitting just .137 this season with a .428 OPS and brutal 18 OPS+.
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Cincinnati cannot keep trotting Hayes out there with how badly he's playing right now, and with this losing streak extending, it might be time to shake things up.
And while they could try something with one of their current MLB players, the Reds' experiment with Arroyo at third base is a clear indication that the Reds are hoping for Arroyo to play well at the position and earn a spot on the MLB roster at 3B.
He's 22 years old and is hitting .322 this season with five homers and five stolen bases with a .922 OPS. He has a .781 OPS in his minor league career and is a good prospect worth getting excited about.
If Hayes continues to struggle, and the Reds see enough out of Arroyo in Triple-A at third base defensively, he might earn a call-up to the big leagues to take over Hayes' spot in the starting lineup.
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