Picture credits to Katie Stratman with USA TODAY Sports
“Spencer not only drives balls into the seats, he drives fans to the ballpark. In some cases he’s even made straight men question their heterosexuality.” -David Bell
August 2, 2022, The Cincinnati Reds season is hanging by a thread. Following back-to-back promising seasons in ’20 & ’21, somehow… the faces we came to love are gone and we’re already rebuilding. The team is sitting 20 games under .500 in what would eventually be one of the worst seasons in their storied franchise’s history. From Phil’s comments on opening day, to “Sell The Team Bob merch” The Reds’ future was bleak. Until… Nick Krall pulled off arguably the best trade in his tenure with Cincinnati. Longtime Red Tyler Mahle was being sent to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for three minor leaguers: Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Steve Hajjar. (Hajjar was later traded to Cleveland for Will Benson.) In two years with Minnesota Mahle pitched well, but he only pitched 9 games due to injuries. Mahle is now with the reigning world champion Texas Rangers, but is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and currently on the 60 day IL. Who would have thought that the Reds were getting THREE already above average starters who haven’t even reached their full potential yet for a pitcher who had an ERA+ barely over league average (Career with CIN: 104). Well, those up and coming stars from this deal have produced pretty well with the Reds to say the least.
Career OPS+ with CIN
Spencer Steer: 115, (excluding ’22 September call-up his OPS+ is 121)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand: 112
Will Benson: 133!
Truly remarkable, and I expect those numbers to climb even higher by the end of this year. Think about how many games the Reds wouldn’t have won without the bats of these three. As much as we ooh and awe over Elly De La Cruz’s insane athleticism and high ceiling, the Reds wouldn’t have been a winning team last year without these guys, and they’d have two less wins already in this season without them. It’s worth noting Steer’s versatility aspect as well. Since joining the Reds, Bell has placed him at 3B, 1B, 2B, LF, and RF, all of which he performed well at.
Finally, the booty… and don’t act like you haven’t noticed it.
The funny thing is, I see more dudes commenting about it on social media than I do ladies. Perhaps it’s envy, but I’m not so sure. It’s beloved, it’s the new face of the Reds, it’s the ass of all of MLB, and it’s a huge piece of the future of this Reds franchise. Expect that thing to be trotting the bases for years to come, bouncing and likely sweating in a red and white uniform.
Let’s go Reds, and here’s to hoping for the first postseason series win in my lifetime.
Yours truly, MC Screwdriver
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