Scooter Gennett came to the Cincinnati Reds at the end of spring training. The Reds had brought veterans Desmond Jennings and Ryan Raburn to battle for a bench spot. When neither worked out the Reds claimed Gennett off of waivers from their National League Central rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers.
The thought was that he would provide a left-handed pinch hitter and a back-up to young second baseman Jose Peraza. He also brought the flexibility to play third base, if needed. By the All-Star break Gennett had effectively taken advantage of the situation, replacing Peraza as the everyday second baseman.