Why Jonny Gomes Should Be the Cincinnati Reds' Left Fielder in 2010

Jonny Gomes should be the Reds' left fielder in 2010. A bold statement, but a statement that is borne from facts.

Gomes has been used as a part-time outfielder, sharing time with Chris Dickerson, Laynce Nix, and Wladimir Balentien. He has been used in both corner positions and has been impressive in his hustle and determination.

He was sent down to Louisville after spring training, where he batted .282 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in only 37 games. On May 22, he was called up to the Reds and has been one of the most productive hitters on the squad.

He leads the Reds in slugging percentage, with a .568 mark, and is second on the team with a .284 batting average and OPS+ of 135. He is third with 18 homers and third in RBI with 45. All this in only 228 official at-bats in 82 games.

In contrast, the cumulative totals of Nix, Dickerson, and Balentien are:

	AB	AVG	HR	RBI	SLG	OPS+
NIX	283	.251	13	37	.484	99
DICKERSON	297	.277	2	15	.375	95
BALENTEIN	90	.269	2	8	.436	108
TOTALS	670	.266	17	60	.432	101

Gomes has actually been more effective as a right fielder, batting .319 with nine home runs and 24 RBI.

In left field, he is averaging only .250, with six homers and 12 RBI.

I know Drew Stubbs is seeing a good deal of time in center, and I would have no problem with him being the full-time center fielder. If Jay Bruce regains complete usage of his wrist and plays well, I would put him in right field.

Gomes is just now hitting his stride as a player. At age 28, he has nearly a full tank of gas for the future. If he were afforded an everyday position, I believe he could hit 40 homers the way he is playing now. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him finish as the team's home run leader.

Sources: Baseball-Reference.com

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Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

(c) 2009 Clifton Eastham

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