Two of the best baseball players of the last two decades who grew up in Cincinnati enjoyed team success in red caps and socks, which should have thrilled hometown fans. Unfortunately for those in Queen City, these favorite sons became stars not for the Reds, but for the Red Sox.
Current Boston sensation Andrew Benintendi was drafted in the first round out of Madeira High School, and just a few seasons later he finished among the top picks for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Ten years earlier, Boston had discovered outfielder Kevin Youkilis, who would become a Red Sox All-Star, while playing for the University of Cincinnati.
Baseball executives in Bean Town might want to rest two more Cincinnati players before the trade deadline next month, only the duo will have to be taken from the Reds instead of the draft. Any deal would cost Boston very little in return, as the rebuilding Reds are more interested in opening up playing time for younger players.
Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton is a talented defensive center fielder and baserunner, but he has been a below-average hitter throughout his career. Still, ESPN Buster Olney believes Hamilton’s speed would be an advantage for any contending team, according to his June 18 column.
Olney did not include Boston among the three clubs he considered good for Hamilton, but the Red Sox have several reasons to acquire him. Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr is still hitting well below the Mendoza Line, almost halfway through the 2018 season. He’s one of the few players that Hamilton is actually outhitting, and the latter would be some improvement on defending.
The Reds also have an even better asset to sell to the Red Sox, second baseman Scooter Gennett. His .336 batting average is second best in the National League, and he has twice been selected as Player of the Week. Boston has been reluctant to improve at second, pending the return of All-Star Dustin Pedroia from the disabled list.
In fact, Pedroia came off the disabled list last week, only to be placed back on after just one game. With division rival the Yankees proving to be one of the best teams in the league, the Red Sox can’t afford to wait for Pedroia to make a full recovery.
Right now, Boston is using Eduardo Escobar at second base, a veteran presence to be sure, but more of a utility infielder than a regular player. Gennett would be a huge upgrade, and he’s versatile enough to move elsewhere if Pedroia returns.
Perhaps through such a deal, Cincinnati could get some gems out of Boston. That could help calm the Red Sox’ slow pace in taking Benintendi and Youkilis from the Reds’ hometown.