Reds' top bench players: Sheldon's take

CINCINNATI -- For the past eight weeks, and for debate purposes and fun only, MLB.com’s beat reporters have ranked the top five players by position in the history of the 30 franchises -- based on their career while playing for that club.

While the reporters covering American League teams are ranking the top five designated hitters this week, those that cover the National League can’t really do that.

In a departure from the Top 5 lists, we will use this week to take a closer look at some of the better Reds bench and utility players over the franchise’s long history. These players won’t likely get their number retired or have statues erected in their honor, but they were memorable for being indispensable when the moment called for a key pinch-hit, a timely stolen base or versatility around the field.

• Reds' All-Time Around the Horn Team: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF

Big power bats

Bob Thurman,1955-59
Of the 35 homers Thurman hit as a reserve outfielder for Cincinnati, six of them came in 202 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter. Because of World War II and the slow pace of full integration in the game, the slugger didn’t make his Major League debut until he was 38 years old. On Aug. 18, 1956, vs. the Milwaukee Braves, he slugged three homers in one game. On May 14, 1957, Thurman became the first big leaguer to hit a homer on his 40th birthday.

Jacob Cruz, 2004-05
Cruz was a well-liked clubhouse presence and a key left-handed hitter off of the bench. In ’05, he batted .259 with an .816 OPS and three home runs in 88 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter.

Delivers with hits

Jerry Lynch, 1957-63
Lynch is the club record holder with 13 pinch-hit homers, but his outstanding pinch-hitting skills were considered a huge part of the Reds winning the NL pennant in 1961. As a pinch-hitter that season, he batted .404/.525/.851 with five homers and 25 RBIs. In 1988, he was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Stewart, 1969-71
During the 1970 season, when the Reds won the NL pennant, Stewart batted .325 (13-for-40) as a pinch-hitter. He could fill in at second base, third base and left field. In 1969, he filled in for Pete Rose while he had to fulfill a military service commitment.

Dependable fill-ins

Chris Stynes, 1997-00
Stynes batted .348 in 49 starts in ’97, his first season in Cincinnati. But he settled into a fill-in role with the ability to play six positions. In 1999, he batted .308 in 50 games as a sub.

Jeff Keppinger, 2007-08
A scrappy infielder who could be counted on when he made a start or came off the bench mid-game, Keppinger batted .289/.342/.391 in 188 games over two seasons. In ’07, he batted .332/.400/.477 with five homers.

Miguel Cairo, 2010-12
Cairo was a 36-year-old journeyman when he joined the Reds before the 2010 season. He initially struggled for the team but found his groove at a key time. While Joey Votto was injured over the final week of May, Cairo filled in and batted .429 (12-for-28) with two homers in six games. He also appeared in 34 games for Scott Rolen at third base and batted .290 overall that season as Cincinnati won the NL Central.

Could dazzle with the glove

Juan Castro, 2000-04, '06-08
Not known as a big hitter -- although the Mexico native once hit a walk-off homer in extra innings to beat the Brewers on Cinco De Mayo in 2004, Castro’s calling card was his glove. According to Fangraphs in 2003, Castro had 10 defensive runs saved at second base. His range and glove made him a strong backup shortstop as well who could make some superlative plays in the field.

Definition of scrappy

Ryan Freel, 2003-08
Freel’s first two years in Cincinnati were spent as a fan favorite utility player -- at second base, third base and all three outfield spots. He eventually settled in as the regular center fielder. No matter where he was stationed, Freel wasn’t afraid to crash into a wall, hit the ground hard for a diving catch or go into the seats to make a play.

Pitchers with bat skills

Red Lucas, 1926-33
A pitcher who once produced a modern-record 27 consecutive complete games in 1931-32, Lucas also batted .300/.361/.375 with three homers over eight seasons. He remains the Reds' franchise record holder with 284 pinch-hit at-bats and 80 pinch-hits and was a 1965 inductee into the Reds Hall of Fame.

Michael Lorenzen, 2015-present
Lorenzen has morphed into a two-way player who can pitch and play the outfield. But he’s also shown some ability to hit and hit for power. Lorenzen is a .235 career hitter with seven homers, including three as a pinch-hitter. On June 30, 2018, he delivered a pinch-hit grand slam vs. the Brewers.