CINCINNATI -- One of several free agents the Reds added in the offseason, outfielder Shogo Akiyama last saw Great American Ball Park when he signed his three-year, $21 million contract on Jan. 6. During these past few days of Summer Camp, Akiyama finally got to play on the field. It’s also been his first opportunity to spend extended time in Cincinnati.

“It's finally hitting me that I'm going to be playing in Cincinnati, and it's been great to be back after being away for a few months,” Akiyama said Sunday via translator Luke Shinoda. “I'm just trying to get used to the groove here.

“I think I was able to relax and hit comfortably more than expected. Being able to hit in a ballpark without a roof has been good. I think by the time I get used to it, the season is going to be starting.”

One big difference is the natural grass playing surface at Great American Ball Park. Most ballparks in Japan -- including that of his former club, the Seibu Lions -- have artificial turf.

“I haven't been able to have much opportunity to play in a ballpark with natural grass, I think that's one change for me,” Akiyama said. “Also, just being in [this] ballpark, I felt there's more connections with the fans, and I think that's one positive aspect of Great American Ball Park.”

After baseball was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Akiyama remained in the United States. He stayed in Los Angeles with another Japanese big league player, Kenta Maeda of the Twins, and stayed busy.

“I've been practicing on the weekdays, Monday through Friday about three hours,” Akiyama said. “I've also been hitting during those practices as well. I think I've been able to prepare myself.”

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Akiyama, 32, was a .301 career hitter with a .376 on-base percentage in nine seasons for Seibu. He was also primarily a center fielder and a six-time Gold Glove winner.

With the Reds already having Nick Senzel in center field, manager David Bell plans to use the left-handed-hitting Akiyama in the corner spots a lot.

“To begin with, Nick is new to the outfield. He is also elite with his running speed,” Bell said. "We really want to see Nick play some center field primarily, especially with the [2019 shoulder] injury. It would be nice for Nick to settle in. Shogo allows us to be able to do that because of his experience as an outfielder. [With] his skill as an outfielder, it’s much easier to move him around the outfield and keep him comfortable.

“We really believe in his ability to adapt to any outfield position. That makes it nice. It gives more of the luxury of allowing Nick to settle into center field -- not that Shogo won’t play center field. He will.”

Akiyama played left field in one Spring Training game for the Reds in March. He wasn’t worried about moving around the outfield.

“I just need to prepare myself, and I know Senzel is coming back in center field and [it] is going to be a competitive position,” Akiyama said. “I'm willing to play whatever position David tells me to. During the season, I just need to compete.”