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May 27—Plan A in the Cincinnati Reds' outfield this year was TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte leading that unit and providing consistency, upside and a regular impact at the plate and in the field.
Plan B was Rece Hinds coming up from Triple-A, showcasing his standout tools and taking the next step with the opportunity to play every day.
Plan C was a rotation of players that included Will Benson and Dane Myers.
The Reds are on to Plan D — iteration 4.0 — of their outfield mix this season. Fortunately for them, the latest edition is showing some very positive signs.
JJ Bleday was in Triple-A for the entire first month of the season as many outfielders received chances ahead of him. He hit his way into regular playing time, and he hasn't looked back. He has become one of the Reds' most dangerous hitters, showcasing the upside that he hinted at in 2024 when he was with the Athletics.
"He's pretty disciplined," veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said. "He's regimented in his routine. He's regimented in his practice. Obviously, it's showing up in game."
Bleday has earned his way into the middle of the Reds' order, solidifying one of the corner outfield spots along with Spencer Steer.
"He was the fourth pick in the draft not all that long ago," manager Terry Francona said. "He had whatever struggles he had in Oakland. Our guys did a really good job of signing him because he's obviously helping us."
Over the last couple of days, Blake Dunn has provided a spark. Playing the best baseball of his young career, he's another outfielder up from Triple-A who's making the most of his opportunity.
Dunn made his big league debut in 2024, and he made the Opening Day roster in 2025. But in both years, he played sparingly and spent nearly the entire season in Triple-A. Dunn opened this year in Triple-A and joined the Reds' active roster when the team optioned Hinds.
"You deal with the highs and the lows and you try to stay in the middle," Dunn said. "That's what I'm doing."
First, he got chances against left-handed pitching. Then, he got a spot start in a day game against a right-handed pitcher. Now, he's playing pretty regularly.
It's still just been a week of this more consistent playing time, but Dunn is showing intriguing traits. He has real pop and elite speed, and he's playing a well-rounded game.
"What he's doing so well is he's just playing the game," Terry Francona said. "He's not trying to do too much. He's just playing the game. He has done a terrific job."
With Dunn getting his opportunity and with Bleday entrenched in the lineup, Friedl and Benson have seen their playing time starting to go down. Right now, with Steer and Bleday locks in the outfield, Dunn has been getting the most playing time over the last couple of days in comparison to Friedl and Benson. Myers has slotted in all season as a platoon player who plays a prominent role vs. left-handed pitching and who profiles as the Reds' top bench bat versus lefty relievers.
There continue to be moving pieces, and the current makeup allows Francona to play the hot hand in the outfield along with Bleday and Steer. Right now, that's Dunn.
"He's a baseball player," Francona said. "The good thing is he's not trying to do too much. You saw a bit of that last year early on. He's letting the game come to him, and the skills show through."
Continue reading...
Plan B was Rece Hinds coming up from Triple-A, showcasing his standout tools and taking the next step with the opportunity to play every day.
Plan C was a rotation of players that included Will Benson and Dane Myers.
The Reds are on to Plan D — iteration 4.0 — of their outfield mix this season. Fortunately for them, the latest edition is showing some very positive signs.
JJ Bleday was in Triple-A for the entire first month of the season as many outfielders received chances ahead of him. He hit his way into regular playing time, and he hasn't looked back. He has become one of the Reds' most dangerous hitters, showcasing the upside that he hinted at in 2024 when he was with the Athletics.
"He's pretty disciplined," veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said. "He's regimented in his routine. He's regimented in his practice. Obviously, it's showing up in game."
Bleday has earned his way into the middle of the Reds' order, solidifying one of the corner outfield spots along with Spencer Steer.
"He was the fourth pick in the draft not all that long ago," manager Terry Francona said. "He had whatever struggles he had in Oakland. Our guys did a really good job of signing him because he's obviously helping us."
Over the last couple of days, Blake Dunn has provided a spark. Playing the best baseball of his young career, he's another outfielder up from Triple-A who's making the most of his opportunity.
Dunn made his big league debut in 2024, and he made the Opening Day roster in 2025. But in both years, he played sparingly and spent nearly the entire season in Triple-A. Dunn opened this year in Triple-A and joined the Reds' active roster when the team optioned Hinds.
"You deal with the highs and the lows and you try to stay in the middle," Dunn said. "That's what I'm doing."
First, he got chances against left-handed pitching. Then, he got a spot start in a day game against a right-handed pitcher. Now, he's playing pretty regularly.
It's still just been a week of this more consistent playing time, but Dunn is showing intriguing traits. He has real pop and elite speed, and he's playing a well-rounded game.
"What he's doing so well is he's just playing the game," Terry Francona said. "He's not trying to do too much. He's just playing the game. He has done a terrific job."
With Dunn getting his opportunity and with Bleday entrenched in the lineup, Friedl and Benson have seen their playing time starting to go down. Right now, with Steer and Bleday locks in the outfield, Dunn has been getting the most playing time over the last couple of days in comparison to Friedl and Benson. Myers has slotted in all season as a platoon player who plays a prominent role vs. left-handed pitching and who profiles as the Reds' top bench bat versus lefty relievers.
There continue to be moving pieces, and the current makeup allows Francona to play the hot hand in the outfield along with Bleday and Steer. Right now, that's Dunn.
"He's a baseball player," Francona said. "The good thing is he's not trying to do too much. You saw a bit of that last year early on. He's letting the game come to him, and the skills show through."
Continue reading...
