While the Diamondbacks continue to flounder all around him, Mark Reynolds is having a productive year.
Here are his numbers following Sunday’s game: .281 average, 17 home runs and 45 RBIs with 42 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. He has 31 walks, giving him an on-base percentage of .371, and an OPS (on-base-plus-slugging-percentage) of .947, both impressive numbers.
Are there are still holes in his game? Sure. He still strikes out a bunch and is a defensive liability.
These numbers also come following a hot streak, which has his batting average at its highest point since April 22.
Still, the consistency Reynolds has shown bodes well.
His run-producing numbers have always been there, but his ability to hit situationally and for average were concerns. Last season, Reynolds would go through tremendous hot streaks, and then cool considerably for weeks.
This year, he’s still been able to get hot, but battle enough to stay away from prolonged slumps.
In 152 games last year, Reynolds went hitless in 52 games, or 34 percent of the time. He went hitless in three consecutive games on four occasions.
In 62 games this year, Reynolds has gone hitless in 16 of them, or 26 percent of the time. He hasn’t had a stretch of three games without a hit, and has gone hitless in back-to-back games just twice.
Reynolds probably won’t ever hit .300, but if he can hit .260-.270 and knock in runs, the front office will be plenty pleased.
And with the season practically over, A.J. Hinch should give him a try at second base. Reynolds might not have as much range as a typical second baseman, but if he can do a serviceable job, his offense more than makes up for it.
Felipe Lopez is clearly a stopgap, and the Diamondbacks will go into next season needing a player at that position. It wouldn’t hurt to give Reynolds a try.
