After Tyler Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in February, he was competing to be the fifth or sixth outfielder on the team’s Opening Day roster.
Before spring training, Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos were established starters. Nick Senzel and Shogo Akiyama were competing for time in the outfield. Aristides Aquino, Mark Payton and Dee-Strange Gordon were competing with Naquin for one or two utility spots.
Five months later, Naquin is the Reds starting center fielder and one of the most consistent hitters in the lineup against right-handed pitchers.
“He came in really, in some ways, having to prove himself,” Reds manager David Bell said.