CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 09: Shogo Akiyama #4 of the Cincinnati Reds takes batting practice. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
The term “everyday player” doesn’t mean what it used to. In a day when platoons and lefty/ righty matchups are all the rage among big league managers and front office personnel, unless you’re an elite player, regular at-bats can be hard to come by. Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama has found that to be very true, but has shined of late with consistent playing time.
Akiyama has started four games over the last nine days, and after Nick Castellanos was ejected in the first inning during yesterday’s contest for arguing balls and strikes, Shogo entered the game in the bottom half of the first.