When the Cincinnati Reds signed Shogo Akiyama to a three-year, $21 million deal, they thought there was a chance that their long-standing vacuum in the leadoff spot was filled.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
Akiyama, 32, hit for average (.301) and got on base (.376 OBP) during his nine-year career in Japan. He’s done neither with the Reds. He entered Monday’s game with the St. Louis Cardinals hitting .202 with a .298 on-base percentage.
And that was after a two-hit game Sunday – only his second multi-hit game of the year.
“It’s good that the results were there (Sunday),” Reds manager David Bell said.