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The Reds have been busy over the past couple of weeks, with much of the focus going towards the starting rotation and bullpen. Now, the Cincinnati Reds have added a bat to their deep, young core in veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario. Here’s a look at Candelario’s 2023 campaign.
A Look at Candelario
To say that Jeimer Candelario was perhaps the National League’s most productive third baseman in the first half of 2023 wouldn’t be hyperbole.
The 30-year-old, who spent the first part of 2023 with the Nationals, hit.261/.337/.478 with 13 home runs and 42 extra-base hits. He finished the All-Star break with the fifth-best wOBA (.349) among third basemen in the league, behind Josh Jung, Isaac Paredes, Jose Ramirez, and Nolan Arenado.
Candelario was a sought-after trade target in July due to his powerful bat, excellent plate discipline, and strong fielding. Washington did profit at the deadline when the Nationals acquired left-hander DJ Herz in exchange for Castelario.
His performance with the Cubs was not as impressive; through 41 games, he had an OPS of.763, and he was placed on the injured list. Nevertheless, just a year after the Tigers declined to tender him, Candelario blasted a career-high 22 home runs.
Candelario is a powerful fastball hitter who pulls left and bats.304 (.402 wOBA) against fastballs this past season. He also has 11 home runs and 39 extra-base hits. Nevertheless, his 2023 breaking ball statistics (.170 AVG,.269 wOBA, and 32.9% Whiff% rate) were unimpressive.
He does, on the whole, maintain discipline at the plate, which helps assist Candelario in drawing a respectable number of walks. In 2021 and 2023, the 30-year-old also achieved double digits in hit-by-pitches.
Candelario can play first and third on defense. Metrics usually view him as a respectable third baseman with good range. However, according to Statcast, Candelario’s arm strength this past season was in the 22nd percentile.
The Reds and Candelario reached a three-year, $45 million agreement, according to ESPN. Interestingly enough, former Reds infielder Nick Senzel committed to a one-year contract with the Nationals, Candelario’s team for the majority of 2023.
Analysis
It may seem strange to some that the Reds would need a power-hitting corner infielder after adding Candelario, but MI/3B Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte.
But because the Reds already have a number of right-handed hitting infielders, Candelario (118 wRC+ against RHP) is a switch-hitter who can provide some protection against righties. Cincinnati’s batters were generally effective against righties in 2023; the Reds had the tenth-best wOBA (.324) and OBP (.325), but they also had the 18th-best wRC+ (97).
Candelario’s above-average power might be useful in a park that favors hitters.
However, it’s unlikely that the signing of a second infielder will end trade rumors involving Jonathan India. India’s controllability, ability to bat and get on base, and the Reds’ need for starting pitching have made him a popular trade target even if the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year isn’t exactly on the market, at least not in the eyes of Reds management.