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SURPRISE, Ariz. — Not fully sharp, however nonetheless wholesome.
In his second spring begin for the Reds on Sunday, Frankie Montas was roughed up by the Royals throughout a 7-3 loss at Shock Stadium. Montas went 2 2/3 innings, permitting 4 runs on seven hits and a stroll — putting out one however giving up two dwelling runs.
“… I didn’t actually have my fastball command at present. It was inconsistent,” Montas stated. “The distinction for any pitcher is fastball command. I don’t see that as a troublesome factor. I see that as attempting to get my pitches in.”
Montas gave up a pair of two-out singles within the first inning, together with a bloop hit that landed in entrance of diving left fielder Will Benson. After opening the second inning with Nick Pratto’s broken-bat single and a stroll, Montas escaped with a ground-ball double play and groundout.
A lot tougher contact got here within the third inning. Bobby Witt Jr. launched a 3-2 pitch for a protracted solo homer to left-center discipline. After Salvador Perez lined a pointy single by the center, MJ Melendez hit a primary pitch homer to proper discipline.
In his first outing on Tuesday in opposition to the Cubs, Montas threw two 1-2-3 innings. His fastball velocity in that sport was largely within the 94-96 mph vary. Towards Kansas Metropolis, it was nearer to 92-93 mph however reached 95 mph on his remaining pitch when Pratto lined a two-out single within the third inning.
“I used to be attempting to begin slowly and never be gassed out by the third inning,” Montas stated. “Even within the third inning, once I was pushing my arm to get some velo, I used to be nonetheless hitting 95 [mph].”
Montas, who was restricted to only 1 1/3 innings final season with the Yankees whereas recovering from proper shoulder surgical procedure, has proven no well being points in camp.
“I believed he fatigued somewhat bit within the third inning, which is a standard a part of the build-up,” Reds supervisor David Bell stated. “He grinded by it, however I used to be sort of anxious to get him out of there. I feel whenever you take it to the subsequent inning for the primary time, generally you see that.”
Benson’s hit vs. LHP
Outfielder Will Benson notched his fourth spring hit, however the lefty hitter’s third-inning RBI double to the hole in left-center discipline on Sunday was his first in opposition to a left-handed pitcher — Daniel Lynch IV — this spring.
“It’s massive,” Benson stated. “It’s simply extra data for me to know, for me to calibrate.”
“That was an important swing,” Bell stated. “He simply missed within the subsequent at-bat too, possibly caught it off the top of somewhat bit. Two actually good swings. I do know he’s working further exhausting on it now.”
Benson flied out to proper discipline in opposition to Lynch within the fifth inning.
Throughout his robust 2023 season for Cincinnati, Benson had restricted alternatives vs. left-handers and didn’t fare effectively. He batted .146 with a .400 OPS and no homers in 44 plate appearances in opposition to lefties, however managed a lot with a .297 common, .938 OPS and all 11 homers over 285 plate appearances in opposition to right-handers.
Following a dialog with Bell and normal supervisor Brad Meador, Benson has been taking alternatives to hit in opposition to Reds lefty pitchers in stay batting apply classes each time doable.
“I requested that once I first confirmed up at Spring Coaching,” Benson stated. “If I’m going to be the most effective participant that I do know I can presumably be, I must be taking part in no matter who’s on that mound. It’s good that they see I can do it.”
Barrero’s outfield work
With one out within the high of the second inning in opposition to Royals starter Michael Wacha, Jose Barrero launched a 1-0 pitch for a house run to left discipline, his first of spring.
Barrero, a former shortstop prospect, is attempting to make the staff’s 26-man roster solely as an outfielder. He performed proper discipline Sunday in opposition to Kansas Metropolis, however has the power to play all three outfield spots.
“I really feel snug on the market,” Barrero stated through translator Jorge Merlos. “I’m glad that this group has been giving me the chance to play a number of completely different positions in my time right here.”
Barrero, now 25 after breaking into the large leagues as a 22-year-old shortstop in 2020, is out of choices. He is a .186 profession hitter over 139 massive league video games over elements of 4 seasons.
Displaying he is usually a robust outfielder and an improved hitter will probably be keys for Barrero to have any probability of constructing the staff.
“It’s the mentality I’ve to have going into this,” Barrero stated.
