SURPRISE, Arizona – Not quite spicy, but still healthy.
In his second spring start for the Reds on Sunday, Frankie Montas was hit hard by the Royals in a 7-3 loss at Surprise Stadium. Montas went 2 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk – one strikeout but two home runs.
“… I didn’t really have my fastball command today. It was inconsistent,” Montas said. “The difference for every pitcher is their control of the fastball. I don't see that as a difficult thing. I see it as an attempt to get my throws in.”
Montas allowed two two-out singles in the first inning, including a bloop hit that landed in front of diving left fielder Will Benson. After opening the second inning with Nick Pratto's broken-bat single and a walk, Montas came away with a groundball double play and a groundout.
There was much harder contact in the third inning. Bobby Witt Jr. launched a 3-2 pitch for a long solo home run to left-center field. After Salvador Perez blasted a sharp single through the middle, MJ Melendez hit a first-pitch home run to right field.
In his first appearance on Tuesday against the Cubs, Montas threw two 1-2-3 innings. His fastball velocity was in the 94-96 mph range for most of this game. Against Kansas City, the speed was closer to 92-93 mph, but reached 95 mph on his last pitch when Pratto hit a two-out single in the third inning.
“I tried to start slow and not be exhausted by the third inning,” Montas said. “Even in the third inning when I pushed my arm to get some velo, I still got to 95 [mph].”
Montas, who pitched just 1 1/3 innings with the Yankees last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, showed no health concerns in camp.
“I thought he got a little tired in the third inning, which is a normal part of the build-up,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He struggled, but I really wanted to get him out of there. “I think sometimes when you get it to the next inning you can tell.”
Benson's hit against LHP
Outfielder Will Benson got his fourth hit of the spring, but the left-handed batter's RBI double in the third inning to the gap in left-center field on Sunday was his first against a left-handed pitcher – Daniel Lynch IV – this spring.
“It’s big,” Benson said. “It’s just more information that I can know and calibrate.”
“It was a great swing,” Bell said. “He missed the next shot just a bit, maybe he caught it a little bit at the end.” Two really good swings. I know he’s working extra hard on it now.”
Benson flied out to right field against Lynch in the fifth inning.
During his strong 2023 season for Cincinnati, Benson had limited opportunities against lefties and did not perform well. He batted .146 with a .400 OPS and no homers in 44 plate appearances against lefties, but managed a lot with a .297 average, .938 OPS and all 11 homers over 285 plate appearances against righties.
After speaking with Bell and general manager Brad Meador, Benson took advantage of the opportunity to hit against the Reds' left-handers in live batting practice sessions whenever possible.
“I asked for this when I first showed up at Spring Training,” Benson said. “If I want to be the best player I know I can be, I have to play regardless of who is on that mound. That’s it.” It’s good that they see I can do it.
Barrero's outfield work
With one out in the top of the second inning against Royals starter Michael Wacha, Jose Barrero launched a 1-0 pitch to left field for a home run, his first of the spring.
Barrero, a former shortstop prospect, is trying to make the team's 26-man roster exclusively as an outfielder. He played right field against Kansas City on Sunday but has the option to play all three outfield spots.
“I feel comfortable out there,” Barrero said through translator Jorge Merlos. “I am glad that this organization has given me the opportunity to hold various positions during my time here.”
Barrero, now 25 after breaking into the major leagues as a 22-year-old shortstop in 2020, is out of options. He is a career .186 hitter in 139 major league games over parts of four seasons.
Proving he can be a strong outfielder and an improved hitter will be crucial for Barrero to have any chance of making the team.
“It’s the mentality I need to have to start here,” Barrero said.