After a three-home run performance Tuesday night, it’s more than safe to assume that Cincinnati Reds infielder Derek Dietrich’s power surge is for real.
It was the sixth time this season a player has hit three home runs in one game. Number six belongs to Cincinnati Reds infielder Derek Dietrich.
In addition, Dietrich has hit seven of his now 17 homeruns against the division-rival Pirates.
Do you think he is enjoying his new team?
Well, let’s see what Dietrich has accomplished in the first two months of the season compared to his previous years with the Marlins.
Only twice prior to this year, Dietrich had two multi-home run games. This year he has three including Tuesday.
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Dietrich has now eclipsed his single-season best for home runs with four months of the season remaining.
Dietrich’s highest OPS in a single season is .802; though in not nearly as many at-bats to qualify. Currently, he is sporting a 1.085 OPS through the first 52 games; just behind – if he qualified – Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich and Josh Bell.
Dietrich’s last six hits are all home runs.
Now, Great American Ballpark is known for its favoritism to hitters, so perhaps Dietrich is just taking advantage of his new digs?
He has hit 11 of his 17 in his new confines so yes there is that home-field advantage.
I think that part of the argument should be thrown out however. His longest homerun this season came in PNC Park in a true display of Dietrich’s newfound strength.
Derek Dietrich sends a souvenir into the river. 😳 pic.twitter.com/BcZ4EJfreJ
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 7, 2019
It also started some pretty nasty brawling between the two because of Dietrich’s loving stare but if I ever hit a home run in my life I’d want to watch it too.
Dietrich is not the first to enjoy the splendors of power since joining the Reds. In fact, two of his current teammates discovered their new strengths when they joined.
Scooter Gennett being the obvious first; Eugenio Suarez the other.
In four seasons with Milwaukee, Gennett recorded 35 home runs. In his first season with the Reds, he hit 27, secured a starting job at second base, then proceeded to hit 23 last season.
Suarez had one season with the Tigers before getting shipped to Cincinnati. He hit 21 home runs in his first full season with the Reds, but later would increase his total 34 by 2018.
Both Gennett and Suarez found themselves on the All Star team last season for their power surges.
Is Dietrich next to make the All Star team? How much longer will his surge continue? Is it ironic that like Yelich he decided to play well after leaving Miami?