Fantasy Baseball 2011: Should the Reds Call Up Yonder Alonso?
by Ray Guilfoyle on May 17, 2025 4:00 PM EDT
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PrintYonder Alonso has battled a hamate bone injury the past couple seasons, and questions about his power, or lack of power as he plays a position where power is almost a requirement to play in the big leagues. Alonso struggled a bit last year, but ended the season hitting .296-.355-.470 with 12 HRs, 56 RBIs and 50 runs scored. He even chipped in with 9 SBs, but he must be stealing when his opponents least expect it because he is not known for his speed.
But, what he is know for is a solid eye at the plate, and has power which has not shown itself in the minors. Until this season. Alonso is currently hitting .331-.385-.531 with 4 HRs, 12 2Bs, 18 RBIs and 4 SBs in 130 at bats. He doesn't strike out much and walks a lot. His current K rate is 16.4%, and is walking in 9.3% of his plate appearances. His ISO of .213 is his highest of his career, as is his slugging percentage.
More after the jump:
After a decent April where he hit .280-.321-.427 with 2 HRs, 7 RBIs and a 15-6 K/BB rate, he has turned it on in May. This month, he is hitting .400-.469-.673 with 2 HRs, 11 RBIs and a 5-7 K/BB rate.
He is currently playing left field at AAA Louisville, and I imagine he is not a good left fielder. He is a first baseman by trade, but is currently blocked by the best hitter in baseball in Joey Votto. But the Reds are running Jonny Gomes in left field on most days, and he isn't a great fielder either. Actually, he is struggling at the plate as well. Gomes is hitting just .188-.326-.410 with 7 HRs, 19 RBIs and 5 SBs. He owns a 38-22 K/BB rate, but his K rate is his highest since 2007 at 33%, but he is walking more than ever with a BB rate of 15%. His low BABIP of .203 is keeping the BA and OBP down, but I wonder if the Reds have seen the best of Gomes.
Actually, I wonder if the Reds are ready to move on, as Gomes has started only 4 of the last 7 games and hasn't homered since April 17th. The Reds have played Chris Heisey and Fred Lewis in his spot over the last few weeks, and Dusty Baker recently announced on Sunday that Heisey and Lewis will be getting more starts in left field. But, at some point, don't they have to give Yonder Alonso a long look in the big leagues?
Recently, Alonso has been batting in the 2nd spot in the Louisville lineup, which is curious. I wonder if he is batting in that slot to prepare him for when he gets called up.
The Reds can accomplish three things with calling Alonso up: 1) see if he can hit better than who they are running out there in left field on a daily basis, 2) can he improve the lineup, 3) increase his trade value, should they decide to deal him by July 31st.
I tweeted Reds beat writer John Fay from the Cincinnati Enquirer on Saturday asking him if the Reds are considering calling up Alonso, and here is his response, along with my question:
johnfayman John FayRT @faketeams are the Reds considering bringing up Alonso to play LF or is he just trade bait?//I think they'd bring up Frazier first
Todd Frazier? Frazier is having a solid season in AAA in 2011, after a poor season last year. The Reds have the luxury of having several major league ready, or close to major league ready prospects on their AAA roster, and Frazier is one of them. But I think Alonso is the better all around hitter.
What do Minor League Ball readers think the Reds should do?
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Alonso's power
I think he is going to have average power for a first baseman. He isn’t going to be Pujols or Howard or Fielder. But he is going to hit 25-30 HR with 35 doubles. The hamate issue really got people all kinds of messed up when talking about his “lack of power”. When he has been healthy, he has hit for power. He slugged .497 in the FSL (many top power hitters didn’t do so in their trip through the league). Then two weeks after leaving the FSL, he broke his hamate bone. A year later, when he was fully healthy, over his next 200 at bats he slugged .592 in AAA. This year, he is again well over .500. At last year’s futures game Alonso was one of the guys who had his power stand out in BP according to Baseball America.
As for calling him up…. it is a tough one. Jonny Gomes seemingly has rope that is 3000 miles long. Alonso isn’t a good fielder in left, though he isn’t any worse than Gomes is. In a perfect world, Alonso would play first base but as you noted with Votto that simply isn’t going to happen on the Reds for at least two more seasons. So I think that you give him a chance if you aren’t going to get anything from Gomes. Alonso is on the 40 man, so a roster move doesn’t really need to be made other than using an option to the minors for someone. IMO he is a better fit than Frazier at the plate, without question. Though Frazier is going to provide you better defense and more flexibility given that he can play LF, 1B and 3B.
by dougdirt on May 17, 2025 4:36 PM EDT reply actions
thanks Doug
I think he deserves a chance as I think his bat is better than the other options, although I wouldn’t mind seeing Heisey get a full time gig to see what he can do.
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 17, 2025 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like to see what Heisey could do
I think he has earned it and is probably the best defensive option.
by emoofb on May 17, 2025 4:40 PM EDT reply actions
agreed
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 17, 2025 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
I’m not sure why they don’t just run Heisey out there on a daily basis. Gomes is the very definition of a replacement player. Heisey looks like he could be at least average, maybe a little better.
by rwperu34 on May 17, 2025 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Heisey
has so much value as a back-up at all three OF positions and as a pinch-hitter that I suspect Baker feels he gets more value using him that way. No one else on the bench can back up/fill-in for Stubbs and Bruce without a significant drop-off in defense. Heisey’s versatility may be working against him. Oh, the irony.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions
alonso's value may never be higher
what if he comes up and struggles? How long could his adjustment period be at the show?
He’s certainly blocked by Votto, they should be looking to a team that needs a legitimate 1B option but is not in contention now (Diamondbacks??). The diamondbacks must have someone (ryan roberts?) who can play a better LF than gomes.
That’s what I would do anyways
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by PHGold09 on May 17, 2025 5:11 PM EDT reply actions
' to a team that needs a legitimate 1B option but is not in contention now (Diamondbacks??)'
With Paul Goldschmidt on the way at some point soon, I doubt that Arizona would be desperate to add a 1b prospect by any means necessary (not to mention the presence of guys like Brandon Allen & Juan Miranda). That being said, I think you might be on to something in that Yonder Alonso (who I like) might be at or near a high point in perceived value at this point.
by Matt0330 on May 18, 2025 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
How about a team that needs a legit 1B option now and is a contender but can afford to play him every day
And boasts the expendable pitching prospects the Reds would covet?
The Rays are such a great match for Alonso I can’t believe he hasn’t been traded there yet. Tampa has pitching at the major league and minor league level and no 1B of the future. The Reds’ big weakness is their rotation; it has plenty of upside, but the Rays could furnish someone like James Shields who is producing NOW and is controllable through 2014, or a close-to-ML ready pitching prospect if they’d rather hang on to Shields.
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
by quincy0191 on May 19, 2025 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know
if the Reds are looking for pitching unless it’s a veteran ToR guy; they were reportedly in on Lee last year for instance. SS maybe. I’ve generally tabbed Alonso as one piece in a significant trade to get an impact player.
by blackoutyears on May 19, 2025 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The biggest issue is that he's blocked at both 1B and in the OF
Not that I think the current Reds outfielders are better than him at the plate, but with Lewis on the team the Reds have their LH hitter off the bench/platoon partner for Gomes (who hits LH pitching well, one of his only true skills). You can’t send out Heisey because he is the only usable back-up for CF as a RH pinch hitter, and as a late inning defensive replacement. Todd Frazier makes more sense to call up because along with the ability to play in LF, he also has the ability to spell Rolen (who is getting old and needs time off every now and then) at 3B.
An interesting point by PH, I think his value is maybe at its highest unless he hits the majors and does well. The Reds have basically no need for Roberts though. If Alonso is traded this year, it will be closer to the deadline.
by pack_fan on May 17, 2025 6:14 PM EDT reply actions
Put the best player in the lineup
If Heisey is the starter in LF, then Gomes becomes the RH pinch hitter and backup OF ( Heisey can still backup the CF). You don’t need a defensive replacement if the better defensive player is the starter. By starting Heisey, the roster construction is the exact same, with the exception of the better player getting more ABs in LF.
by rwperu34 on May 17, 2025 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
trust me man, I'm right there with you
I’m only thinking along with Dusty. If it were up to me Heisey would be getting more chances as the starter.
by pack_fan on May 17, 2025 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he'd be up
if the team weren’t expected to contend. It’s easy to say that he’s “no worse than Gomes”, but what’s that based on? 50 career games in LF? Winning teams aren’t generally trying to break in players at the major league level at unfamiliar positions.
I agree with pack_fan that Lewis appears to fill both the LHH bench bat and LF fill-in, and he’s done nothing to hurt himself so far as he’s hit and made some plays to both his left and right. And Heisey has been excellent in limited time this year, providing power and defense, and I’m more and more confident that he has every day LF upside.
And I agree that Frazier is the more logical call-up as he’s been playing mostly 3B and has reportedly looked good, though even he isn’t especially needed as Rolen’s absence was ably accounted for by using existing bench options in Cairo, Janish, Valaika and Renteria (which slid Janish over) and may still be behind Francisco on the dpeth chart. I know we’re all here because we love prospects, but let’s not forget that this is a well-constructed team with a good bench. Players get promoted due to need, and the Reds don’t need Alonso at the moment.
by blackoutyears on May 17, 2025 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
Giants called up Posey last year
and played him at C and 1B and they ended up in winning the World Series. Whats to say Alonso can’t come up and hit like he is capable of? He homered tonight, so his power surge in May continues.
Also, you say this team is built to win and is well constructed. I agree, but I don’t think Gomes is a guy you would miss should Alonso take his spot. Plus, with Alonso, you get a guy with a solid eye at the plate, along with solid power. Not sure what they would miss with calling him up.
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 17, 2025 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
Who knows?
It could happen? All I’m saying is that you’re approaching this like a fantasy owner rather than in real life terms. And saying that Alonso can come up and play as well (or only as poorly) as Gomes in the field lacks rigor as a thesis. What’s that based on?
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions
And re Posey
the Molina trade helped facilitate that, Posey was clearly their best position prospect with no doubts about his defense, and there were no other real contenders for his position. As we’ve been discussing, the Reds have an overflow of interesting and viable LF candidates.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
By watching him play
Jonny Gomes is a brutal fielder. Yonder Alonso isn’t any better. But, Yonder Alonso can hit. Gomes simply can’t.
by dougdirt on May 19, 2025 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt Ray
has seen Alonso play much OF.
by blackoutyears on May 19, 2025 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Because Posey is the exception, not the rule
Most hitters take some time to adjust. Heyward didn’t need to settle in either, but most players are not Jason Heyward. Look at how Freeman and Belt started the year.
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
by quincy0191 on May 19, 2025 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Frazier
He’s got a higher OPS that’s less dependent on batting average at this point and is likely the better defender. Regardless, I wouldn’t make a move until we pass the super 2 cutoff.
by rwperu34 on May 17, 2025 9:36 PM EDT reply actions
Two points
Frazier has the higher OPS, but I would absolutely take my life savings and put it on Yonder Alonso being the better hitter between the two of them in the Majors the rest of this season without thinking twice about it.
As for a Super 2 date…. given the age of both guys, I wouldn’t be as worried about it as I would be with someone in their early 20’s.
by dougdirt on May 17, 2025 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
that Alonso is the more talented hitter. Fay’s probably right that the 3B/LF eligibility gives Frazier the edge at the moment though. The fly in the ointment, for all of the LF aspirants, is Fred Lewis. The combo of being a lefty bat and having LF as his only viable position means he fills a key niche.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
If alsonso is going to come up, it will only happen if Lewis is let go or is injured
I’m hoping Alonso keep this up, because it either forces the Reds hand or it ups his trade value.
by pack_fan on May 18, 2025 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I think so too
Dusty does a better job with young players than his rep would have you expect, but his affinity for vets isn’t exaggerated by any means. Lewis has been giving great ABs and making great lateral plays — Brantley has rightly called him out for his inability to go back well on balls — so there’s no reason to change anything. And I think Alonso is best served by working on his OF defense at Louisville. I know it’s tempting to call him up now, but there’s nothing wrong with letting him experience some prolonged success at the plate while honing his defense.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Solid guy
Took my son last Monday to see him play in Rochester we were the only people near him in left and he is needless to say my sons favorite player now. Gave him a ball, threw with him one warm up. I don’t know if he should be called up. But I know when he does reds fans are getting a quality person
by gpellet41 on May 17, 2025 10:20 PM EDT reply actions
Awesome
never gets old hearing about players connecting with fans.
by RedHopeful on May 17, 2025 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
great story!! thanks.
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 18, 2025 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately
since I don’t think the Reds/Baker would give Alonso the starting job, might as well leave him in AAA. Besides Gomes, Baker has Heisey and now Lewis at his disposal so there is no way he’s going to put a rookie in over a vet and a guy like Heisey who has earned his trust.
by RedHopeful on May 17, 2025 11:17 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with you
and Im a huge Alonso supporter. Even I would hesetate to just stick hiim out there in LF everyday. Im afraid he’s a joey Votto injury, or a trade, away from getting a real shot to play everyday.
Keep killin’ the ball Yonder. You’ll get your chance.
"if it first you don't suceed, maybe you just suck" - Kenny Powers
by casejud on May 17, 2025 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Alonso
is 2-4 with a HR this evening…BA up to .336
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 18, 2025 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
and.....
Mesoraco is 5-5 with 2 runs scored
Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on May 18, 2025 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Mes
was the other logical guy in this discussion as it will almost certainly take an injury to get him to CIN. Unlike the Gomes/Alonso situation there’s little doubt that the guys blocking Mesoraco are quality players who are crucial to winning now.
The Reds have some really quality position pieces in Alonso, Frazier, Mesoraco, Cozart, Sappelt and Francisco. Heck, if Sappelt weren’t hurt he’d be in the LF discussion as well.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure how to feel about Sappelt
He doesnt strike me as a no-doubt hitter for left, he’s more of a guy I’d like to have in CF. Unfortunately I dont think he carries much trade value either.
by pack_fan on May 18, 2025 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Sappelt
The issue with Sappelt is that there is some magical idea of what a left fielder is supposed to hit like. What a left fielder actually hits like in MLB is far from that magical idea. Sure, there are a few guys who absolutely mash in left field, but for the most part, Major League left fielders OPS around .750-.800 and play crappy defense. Sappelt is someone I feel pretty comfortable saying can absolutely hit like that and play outstanding defense (at least range wise, his arm is a little iffy, but he will make up by catching just about anything in the air out there).
by dougdirt on May 19, 2025 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes
I was really impressed by Sappelt when I finally got to see him and I think he’s a legit bat. And remember, we feature an OF where the CF provides much more power than normal and the RF has as much upside as any young OF in the game. This team has enough pop to carry Sappelt and buck expectations imo. I really don’t think you can lose with him or Heisey, as Heisey is a heck of a hitter too. Heisey is a truly gifted defender imo (with an above avg throwing arm), and he has more power, but Sappelt has decent pop and would be a good bet to hit .300+. I’d rather either of these guys was getting a shot over Gomes.
by blackoutyears on May 19, 2025 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
where would he play? OF?
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
by feslenraster on May 18, 2025 10:26 AM EDT reply actions
LF yes
he worked hard at teh OF this offseason and has gotten a chance to play there some this year
by pack_fan on May 18, 2025 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Um...John?
Votto is the best hitter in baseball right now?
Ever heard of a guy in Toronto who goes by the nickname of Joey Bats?
Over the past 365 days, Bautista’s line is as follows: 156 games, 673 PA, .292/.421/.708, 33 2B, 3 3B, 63 HR, 114 BB, 100 K, 10 SB, 2 CS.
Albert Pujols is second in home runs over the same time period – he has 41.
by Extinto on May 18, 2025 11:58 AM EDT reply actions
Agreed
Nobody is better than Bautista at the moment. The scary thing is that his arm in right is almost as dangerous!!!
Big Sexy
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by King Billy Royal on May 19, 2025 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops...Ray
Sorry, I assumed John wrote this article and just saw it was written by Ray Guilfoyle.
That previous comment was directed to Ray.
Thanks.
by Extinto on May 18, 2025 12:00 PM EDT reply actions
Jocketty
was interviewed tonight speaking about Frazier and Alonso, saying both had played well. Said Frazier’s best position is LF and that Alonso had thrown a runner out the other night. He said both would stay in Triple-A for the time being as the team waits for Gomes’ bat to heat up.
by blackoutyears on May 18, 2025 9:20 PM EDT reply actions
So we will be waiting for a long time then
Why do we have to wait for Gomes to “heat up”? The guy has a pretty long history of being average at best at the plate and absolutely atrocious in the field. Despite all of the winning that has been going on lately here in Cincinnati, some decisions seem so simple to just about everyone but the guys who actually make them.
by dougdirt on May 19, 2025 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you, Doug
I have a soft spot for Gomes as a person and competitor, but I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the team to let him block more talented and productive players while he finds himself. I’m amazed at how well Heisey is doing considering how erratic his playing time is. I thought Heis looked good last year but I’m continually impressed by how focused most of his ABs are. He’s clearly the best combination of hitting ability and defense we have for the position. I have a secret fear that we’ll just unload him as part of a trade.
It’s still May, and it’s hard to imagine this going on for the rest of the year, so I’m reserving judgment. We’re also winning, as you point out, and teams tend to give struggling players more rope when that’s the case.
by blackoutyears on May 19, 2025 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
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