Reds Re-Sign Derek Dietrich to Minor-League Deal as Players Report to Spring Training
By Adam Weinrib
The singularly most jacked Red is back for another go at it!
On the verge of their full roster reporting to Spring Training for the coming year, the Cincinnati Reds announced their plans to bring back one of their fan favorites from 2019.
Hoping to maintain his All-Star pace for two halves this time, Derek Dietrich will have a shot at a roster spot this spring.
The #Reds today signed IF/OF Derek Dietrich to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League spring training camp.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 12, 2020
Welcome back, Dietz! pic.twitter.com/SCpmqmO6kh
It was a tale of two halves for Cincy's muscle-bound replacement for Scooter Gennett last year. In the first half, Dietrich hit 18 homers with a .221 average (but .349 OBP), more than satisfactory on-base skills, when combined with power.
In the second half, however, his breakout halted; amid injuries, he hit just .071 in 56 at-bats, dragging his totals well down in the process.
What we want you to do for the next 1 minute and 56 seconds is sit back, relax and enjoy Derek Dietrich's last six hits... all dingers. ??????#BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/r54sSpoDZM
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 29, 2019
An under-.200 batting average didn't impress interested teams, but the Reds know all about the attitude that he brings to Cincinnati, and will be giving the Ohio native another shot at sticking.