GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Throughout the last three seasons, no Major Leaguer was hit by more pitches than new Reds infielder Derek Dietrich.

It’s not a category that most hitters want to be associated with, but it’s one way for Dietrich to show his toughness. He was hit by 21 pitches last year, 18 pitches in 2017 and a National League-leading 24 pitches in ’16.

Shin-Soo Choo was hit a Reds-record 26 times in 2013, but no Reds player was hit more than nine times last year.

“It’s a stat that my mom doesn’t like too much,” Dietrich said, “but I’m sure the guys that hit behind me appreciate.”

It’s not like Dietrich walks up to the plate hoping that he will be hit by a pitch. Fortunately, he’s avoided serious injuries throughout his career. But there is some skill to it. With two strikes, he likes to be close to the plate, so he can cover more of the strike zone.

Sometimes it’s just the cost of trying to reach base with two strikes.

“Getting on base, on-base percentage, is huge. I just have a lot of opportunities where I don’t get out of the way,” said Dietrich, a left-handed hitter who had a .330 on-base percentage last season, 12 points above the league average. “If it gets me on base and gives me a chance to score runs, that’s what baseball is all about. I’ve never shied away from getting hit by pitchers.”

Dietrich, 29, was the longest-tenured Miami Marlins player before he was designated for assignment in November. He signed a minor league contract with the Reds on Feb. 19, but he should be one of the favorites to win a spot on the bench with his versatility. He has experience at second base, third base, first base and left field.

There’s a difference from going to the most well-known player in camp to the new guy, but Dietrich said he was “extremely excited” for the fresh start.

“Nothing was ever given to me with the Marlins,” Dietrich said. “I worked and earned everything that I got from the Marlins. For me, I’m in the same situation here. Nothing is given to me. I’m always working. I’m always trying to get better and help the team win. I’m in familiar territory as far as that goes.”

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It helped that Dietrich knew a lot of players in the clubhouse. He attended the same college, Georgia Tech, as outfielder Kyle Wren, who occupies the locker next to him. He was teammates with pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Odrisamer Despaigne in Miami. He’s played against most guys throughout his six-year career.

One of the things that he’s enjoyed in camp is learning from Joey Votto, another left-handed hitter who excels in reaching base. They are usually in the same batting practice group.

“We’ve got good hitters all up and down the lineup,” Dietrich said. “Where I benefit is being in this division, I still know a lot of the pitchers. I know what to expect and we all can talk amongst each other and help prepare and plan an approach and go from there. That’s a big part of hitting.”

Dietrich, hit by 93 pitches in his career, can’t explain what makes him more of a target than other hitters. Forty-three are with two strikes. He's been hit 70 times by right-handed pitchers.

“I don’t know,” Dietrich said, “you’d have to ask the pitchers that one.”

But if it means helping his team, he’s willing to take the free base.