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Reds need Hanigan to get out of slump

Catcher’s offensive numbers have been in a free fall since taking No. 1 spot.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 1:28 AM Thursday, August 13, 2009

ST. LOUIS — As a backup catcher, Ryan Hanigan was The People's Choice because his batting average squatted near the .330 mark and every time he played he produced.

Fans demanded that he play and chastised manager Dusty Baker for not using him more often.

After Ramon Hernandez underwent knee surgery, the No. 1 job fell to Hanigan and while he has been solid defensively, his offensive production is falling faster than a Volkswagen pushed over a cliff.

Since July 1, Hanigan has one extra-base hit and no RBIs. In fact, he hasn't had an RBI since June 13, 52 games ago. He is 0-for-20 and his average is down to .283.

He was not in Wednesday's lineup, "Because he is struggling," said manager Dusty Baker, couching it in gross understatement.

Since Hernandez went on the disabled list, Hanigan is hitting .143.

Hanigan knows it. He is seeing no fastballs, just breaking pitches, and teams are bunching him defensively on the right side, where he was dumping base hits into right field.

"It has been a major battle, what can you say?" he said. "I have to keep after it, keep grinding. I have to break out soon.

"I can't attribute it to anything, but there is a lot of frustration. You try to do whatever you can, more extra hitting, but sometimes more is less and sometimes less is more," he added. "Ups and downs are part of the game and I'm trying to ride it out.

'I'm getting a lot of off-speed pitches, batting in front of the pitcher, but I have to work with that. I know they are stacking me up on the right side defensively, but I have to make the adjustments."

Hanigan's struggles put the Reds in a bind. They paid Hernandez $8.5 million this year and hold an option for next year. Hanigan's backup, Craig Tatum, hasn't shown much and the No. 1 draft pick in 2007, catcher Devin Mesoraco, hasn't displayed much in the minors.

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Mr. Redlegs that's a good pt & I buy it until there R RISP. At that pt, espically w/ 2 outs, I'm going to hope Hanny reaches (which is what he's doing lately) knowing that if I walk him I have the P, WT and AG to follow. If I'm in a tight spot early, I'm not going to give Hanny a pitch to hit w/ those 3 dynamic hitters to follow! Later in the game, there's a good chance for a PH which changes things again. Treat Hanny like Kepp & CD & let Miller, Tatum play since they're so much better NOT!

MAC
5:34 PM, 8/14/2009

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The Reds player in the biggest slump is Micah Owings (a.k.a. batting practice pitcher). Hanigan's slump is nothing compared the the horrible pitching slump Owings is in-he can't even pitch a decent game in the minors(where he belongs) on rehab! Get ready for more Reds loses if he makes it back into the rotation. Reds need to dump Owings-he is of absolutely no use to them. Only Pete loves him!

J.Mark
12:42 PM, 8/13/2009

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Hal, you pointed it out. Many of the posters on your blog blame Dusty without good reason. Play this guy over that guy because he had a hit last night. Then what they ask for proves not to be the answer and they still blame DB. He can't win and neither can the Reds unless the players assume the responsibility.

It is Adam Dunn all over again. These same clueless wonders cried to get him out yet blame DB for the consequences.

colgar
12:36 PM, 8/13/2009

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No, the reason Hanigan was having success was because he WAS hitting in front of the pitcher. He was seeing more fastballs in effort to keep the lineup from turning over. Once he got higher in the order, teams went to more breaking pitches for groundouts or shortening him up on hitting to right field. MLB pitchers pitch a hitter far differently in the 8-hole than anywhere else. But since he's been around the league twice now, advance scouting has him locked up.

Mr Redlegs (Original)
11:35 AM, 8/13/2009

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Thing is, Hanny shows he has a clue AB which is a lot more than U can say about most. Many noted a catchers' #1 job is good Def & he's doing that well. 2ndly, we all know it's hard to hit in front of the pitcher; why not move him up & give him some protection. We all know the answer...same ol DB. Nevertheless, there's no way I'd pick up RH's option. My guess is DB will make another play for Bako who will get more playing time then Hanny even though he's not in the Reds long term plans = DREDS!

MAC
2:09 AM, 8/13/2009

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