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Confidence could lead Schebler into starting spot
- Updated: October 24, 2016
CINCINNATI — When the Reds dealt mainstay right fielder Jay Bruce to the Mets at the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the job to replace him went to Scott Schebler. In his first game back in the lineup following his recall from Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 2, Schebler collected three hits, including a three-run walk-off homer to defeat the Cardinals.
But from Aug. 5-14, Schebler fell into a 0-for-27 funk. Though rebuilding periods are painful to endure for clubs, they do serve a purpose that can yield a few positives. In this case, Cincinnati let Schebler struggle and work through it with regular at-bats. Had it been a pennant race, he would have been shown the bench.
“He had a real rough first 30-plus at-bats when he came back,” Reds manager Bryan Price said shortly before the 2016 season ended. “He continued to work and stay optimistic and all of a sudden, we started to see a couple of balls hit harder, a couple of base hits and then balls through the middle, balls to left-center and hard ground balls through the left side, through the shift. It was certainly an improved confidence.”
Schebler, 26, who lost his left-handed portion of the left-field platoon to All-Star Adam Duvall early in the first half, batted .290/.357/.461 with eight homers in 55 games following his callup.
That …
