'This is his time': India eyes big league leap

Behind Eugenio Suárez at third base and Mike Moustakas at second base, the Reds don’t have a ton of depth heading into the 2021 season. If one of those players went down for an extended period, it could mark Jonathan India’s first chance to reach the Major Leagues.

One of Cincinnati’s top prospects, India can play both positions. He is part of a group of players at early Minor League camp and off to a nice start this spring after he impressed the organization at its Prasco Park alternate site in 2020.

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“You look at the progress he’s made over the last year, it’s very significant physically, maturity, consistently great reports from Prasco last year,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He very much stood out amongst the players there.

“The good news is he can play third base, we’re confident he can play second base. That helps. If he continues to progress like he has been, it could happen really soon.”

India, 24, was the fifth overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft and has progressed steadily since turning professional. He split the ’19 season at Class A Advanced Daytona and Double-A Chattanooga and batted a combined .259/.365/.402 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in 121 games.

Although there was no Minor League season last year, India felt he soaked up plenty from the time he spent at the alternate site.

“It did suck, not really playing real games. I learned a lot as a player. I grew a lot as a player,” he said. “I perfected some things with my game that wasn’t there yet. It was a good place for me to be, to excel at things I wanted to get better at. I got the opportunity to be there and worked my butt off.”

India has also benefitted this spring from his time spent talking to Moustakas.

“Moose has helped me a lot with the mental part of the game and he’s keeping me loose out there for the most part,” India said. “I’m a close friend with one of his buddies that I train with in the offseason. We met through each other and keep loose on the field together. He’s helped me out a lot.”

India’s spring roommate, catching prospect Mark Kolozsvary, was a year ahead when the two played together for the University of Florida. With that as a reference point, Kolozsvary has seen quite the change in India over the past four years.

“Seeing him develop as a player and build that confidence, he carries himself with his shoulders held high and everything,” Kolozsvary said. “Just being able to see him get older and experience, just gain that experience and know he can really do this, and this is his time. It’s really cool."

Now that it’s known that this year’s Triple-A schedule is delayed at least one month, based on his work thus far, India seemed prepared if a callup were to come for him to step into the lineup.

“I’m ready, 100 percent,” India said. “I was ready last year but I got hurt. It’s really not my decision. I just have to play to the best of my ability and what I know I can do. I believe that I am a big leaguer.”