Dilson Herrera may be finally getting his shot. At least, he will get an opportunity this spring to prove he deserves one.
The Reds cleared up their infield logjam, unloading Brandon Phillips in a trade with the Braves on Sunday, thus allowing Herrera an opportunity, if he can grab it.
While the Reds intend to start Jose Peraza at second base, the former Mets prospect, dealt for Jay Bruce at last year’s trade deadline, now should get a legitimate chance.
“From Peraza’s body of work, he is a regular. He’d have to play his way off the position,” Reds manager Bryan Price told the Dayton Daily News. “It’s an opportunity for Herrera to play in front of coaches.”
The 22-year-old Peraza will get some reps at shortstop and the outfield, where he played some a year ago, but the plan is for him to be the team’s everyday second baseman. Prior to the Phillips trade, Peraza was viewed as a utility man who could be plugged in nearly anywhere — a slot he still could fill if Herrera plays well.
Price said Herrera, who also could be a utility man, could give the Reds something to think about.
Herrera, 22, posted a .215/.308/.383 slash line in 169 plate appearances with the Mets in 2014-15 but spent all of last year at two Triple-A stops, batting .274/.335/.456 with 15 homers. He had been regarded as the team’s second baseman of the future since 2013, when the Mets acquired him from Pittsburgh when they dealt away Marlon Byrd and John Buck.
“I feel good at second base but I played some third base in the minor leagues,” said Herrera, who will be playing the World Baseball Classic with Colombia. “I will try to do my best to take advantage of this opportunity.”
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