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Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Cincinnati Reds

By Mike Azzalina

May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) scores on a single by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jose Peraza (9) during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) scores on a single by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jose Peraza (9) during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 20, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart (2) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Position Player: Zack Cozart

Zack Cozart is a player that is often forgotten about in the Reds most recent push in the NL Central. He was not quite as electric as Todd Frazier, who is no longer in Cincy. The shortstop did not have the following that All-Star first baseman and MVH (Most Valuable Heel), Joey Votto has. The 31-year-old has had a career hampered by injuries season after season. However, his 2017 is off to a fantastic start.

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After his 1-4 performance in Friday night’s game, Cozart is hitting .338/.416/.554 through 40 games. His 50 hits lead the Reds. He has not shown the power that Scott Schebler or Adam Duvall have shown through the first two months, but he has been arguably the Reds most consistent hitter.

In 30 games against the Phillies, he has hit .311/.310/.492 with four homers and ten doubles.

However, he has not had much luck at CBP, only slashing .224/.232/.313 and one homer in thirteen games. His numbers are significantly better against lefties than they are righties with the exception of his power numbers (42-20 in homers, albeit in almost 1,500 less at bats).

The right-hander has had difficulty handling fastballs in on the hands, but so far, has used the all parts of the field to find success so far. The same idea has held with breaking pitches. He has been red hot on pitches on the outer-half of the plate. The duo of Jerad Eickhoff and Zach Eflin (0-7) will have to find ways to keep the ball on the inside half to have success on Saturday and Sunday.

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