Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros: Josh Reddick is a perfect fit batting second

By Eric Huysman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Josh Reddick (22) runs home to score a run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Josh Reddick (22) runs home to score a run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Still early in the season, but Josh Reddick looks like he belongs on this Astros team?

While many Astros fans were not wowed by the signing of Josh Reddick this offseason, he is starting to show positive signs. Before last season, Reddick found a home in Oakland. He was comfortable there and became a team leader and fan favorite. Last year, he was traded to the LA Dodgers. On the Dodgers, he became part of a platoon in right field, taking a seat against left-handers.

Fast forward to the offseason. The Astros needed some veteran help and a left-handed bat. While there were some other right-handed options, but the Astros inked Reddick to a four-year $52 million contract. Is Reddick a $13 million dollar a year player? It appears that Reddick was one of the primary targets for the Astros this offseason. Afterall, Reddick and the Astros mascot Orbit have a long-standing friendship.

Reddick the Astro

We are still only 13 games into the season, but Reddick is starting to fit into the lineup. He started off the season batting in the 5th-9th spot versus a long string of left-handed pitching. Now, versus right-handed pitchers, Hinch moved him up to bat second. With the top of the order being very right-handed, they needed a left-handed hitter batting second.

We remember the days of Luis Valbuena and Colby Rasmus batting second. Alex Bregman is a good fit there, but his bat could be more geared towards the RBI situations than Reddick’s. Versus left-handed pitchers, Bregman will hit second with Reddick hitting deeper in the order.

Reddick is still struggling a little versus left-handing pitching with a .481 OPS. Overall, after last night’s 3-4 night, Reddick is now batting .324 with an OPS of .728. Reddick hit the first extra-base hit of last night’s game, scoring the third run.

Next: Should Chris Devenski stay in the bullpen?

The only thing that Reddick has not done much is hit for power. Of his 12 hits, only two of them are for extra bases, both doubles. He is not a prodigious home run hitter, but he will hit some this year. A few of the Astros hitters remain without homers. They are Reddick, Evan Gattis, Carlos Beltran, Jose Altuve, and Bregman. The homers will come in time, but the added left-handers in the lineup is a breath or fresh air.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and ESPN.com***

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