How Jonathan India is juggling a lot of adjustments in Reds spring training
GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– On Monday morning, the Cincinnati Reds gathered on one of the backfields at the spring training complex for a drill that’s one of the highlights of the spring. They call it “27 outs.” Bench coach Freddie Benavides calls out specific situations with runners on base in specific innings, and the nine position players on the field have to make the right play for the situation they’re in.
For the entirety of the drill, Jonathan India worked at first base. When the drill was over, India went to left field to continue the process of learning the outfield.Over the last two weeks, India has spent more time working at those new positions than he has working at his old position. As Matt McLain prepares to take over as the Reds’ second baseman, India is on the move.
“I just want (India) to be healthy and be who he is,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s a good player.”
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Where will Jonathan India play for the Reds?
The expectation is that India will play pretty much every day this year, making starts at first base, in left field, at second base and as the designated hitter. It’s one thing to come up with that plan in December, and it’s an entirely different process teaching India how to play two positions that are brand new for him.
“The key for me is playing instinctually,” India said. “It’s not that easy, but mentally that’s what I’m doing. I’ve been working at it pretty hard. I’m getting comfortable with my footwork around the bag at first and am working on my picks and positioning. It’s been pretty solid. In the outfield, I’ve got to learn how to play the ball off the wall. The footwork coming toward the ball and throwing. That’s all in progress.”
On top of learning two new positions, India is completing a building up progression that’s in place to strengthen his foot and his heel. India’s plantar fascia tore during the offseason, and he’s adding more and more running into his routine over the course of camp.India is on track to be ready for Opening Day, and he said he’ll be in a spring training game in the next couple of days. But the steps in India’s running progression have shaped his experience of learning the outfield.
“It’s about comfort,” Reds outfield coach Collin Cowgill said. “The idea with him is to get him as many reps as possible without spending too much time on his feet. He’s seeing balls off the bat. He’s getting that repetition. He has done an amazing job so far. He’s getting his reps so in the game it’s not foreign to him.”
Drills to learn outfield positions and first base
Cowgill has prioritized getting India reps shagging fly balls in the outfield, and he has also gotten creative. India used to be a football player, and Cowgill has had India go through defensive back drills.As Cowgill throws a football, India backpedals “off the line of scrimmage,” pivots his hips and turns into a sprint to reel in a deep pass. Then when India tracks the baseball, he carries over that footwork.
“He picks it up fast because he’s a great athlete,” Cowgill said. “I’ve said since the beginning that he can be good out there. He’s an athlete, and he knows what he’s doing.”
India is also working on his swing. During his rookie year in 2021, he took off as a hitter in May when he started using a toe tap. Now, India isn’t consistently using that same toe tap and is more fluid with his mechanics.
Because he’s going through his buildup progression, India hasn’t been able to see how his swing looks in game environments. But every day, he’s getting several live at-bats against Reds pitchers on the backfields at the spring training complex.
“My swing is all about how I’m feeling that day,” India said. “I don’t have a set stance. It’s just about if my timing is right. I just want to get up there and hit. Keep it simple, be smooth and compete in the box. Everyone talks about mechanics. That doesn’t work as well for me.”
Even though he has been working a lot at first base, India still hasn’t gotten his own first baseman’s glove. He’s trying out the gloves of a few teammates, and India used Spencer Steer’s first baseman’s mitt on Monday.
India has a lot to figure out this spring. His swing, his defense and his sprinting are all a work in progress. He said he’s really looking forward to spring training games to get a real assessment of where he’s at.
“I’m ready to play, and I’m excited to play,” India said. “I’m just excited to be at game speed and get my adrenaline going. But right now, I’m very pleased.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jonathan India juggling adjustments in Cincinnati Reds spring training
