Former Indians OF Tyler Naquin Ripping it Up in Cincinnati, 12 RBI in Five Games

The Indians offense has been anemic thus far in four games, and maybe even worse is that the team is watching as former outfielder Tyler Naquin is ripping it in the first five games with his new team - the Reds. In five games, Naquin has three homers and 12 RBI to go around a .357 average for the 4-1 Reds. All this while the Indians have only been able to produce 13 runs in four games.
Former Indians OF Tyler Naquin Ripping it Up in Cincinnati, 12 RBI in Five Games
Former Indians OF Tyler Naquin Ripping it Up in Cincinnati, 12 RBI in Five Games /

While the Indians offense has done little to give fans confidence four games into the season, one player who is already on fire that the Tribe could use in a big way right now is former outfielder Tyler Naquin.

Naquin has helped the Reds get off to a great start this season, leading the Major Leagues with 46 runs, the National League with 10 homers and is second in the NL with a .316 team batting average.

Against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, Naquin crushed two long bombs to put the Reds ahead for good. 

The team cruised to a 14-1 win over Pittsburgh, and Naquin was the big reason why - going 3-for-4 with two homers, seven RBI, a walk and a pair of runs scored. 

He's hitting .357 in the first five games. 

"I can't express enough how good of a time it is to play with these guys -- they're always encouraging, no matter the situation," Naquin said. 

"We're out there together."

The Indians decided not to pickup the option on Naquin, who made $1.45 million with the Tribe last year.

This season with the Reds Naquin is pulling in $100,000, but again in just a few games is trying to make a big impact with his new club. 

Naquin, who will forever be remembered for his inside the park homer in a memorable 2016 affair at home against the Blue Jays, leads the NL right now with 12 RBI. 

Indians fans are missing Naquin for obvious reasons, but it will be interesting to see if the 29-year-old from Spring, Texas can continue to build off the fast start that has many around baseball talking about him. 


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Matt Loede
MATT LOEDE

Matt Loede has been a part of the Cleveland Sports Media for 26 years, with experience covering Major League Baseball, the NBA & NFL and even high school and college events. He has been a part of the daily media covering the Cleveland Indians since the opening of Jacobs/Progressive Field in 1994, and spent two and a half years covering the team for 92.3FM The Fan, and covers them daily for Associated Press Radio. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattLoede