Reds General Discussion 2026, Part 2

[RedTeamGo!]

Probably. It does, on occasion, happen though.

Does it happen where someone has 1500+ PA over 5 seasons and then in year 6 finally figures it out? Not being snarky, I cant think of anyone off the top of my head that has done that

[TRF]

Some guys turn it on late. The one I go to is Ryan Ludwick. Could not get a full time job till he was 28, broke out at 29. Now that was not 1500 PAs, but it was about 6 years after his MLB debut. JD Martinez did after almost 1000 PAs. José Bautista was well over that. Justin Turner had about 900+ PAs before breaking out with the Dodgers. And if we are talking meh to superstar, Edwin Encarnación

[TRF]

So full disclosure.. Cruz is probably not breaking out. Almost everything he's doing now is what he's always done. He just happens to be barreling it a bit more. Pirate fans should enjoy it while it lasts.

[herbdizzle]

In limited time Myers is hitting .300 with a .333 OBP. Thats like an all star on this squad. He’s nothing spectacular, but he also plays good defense. If Bleday gets called up, I’d assume Benson would get sent down. His numbers this year and the last two years would warrant that, IMO.


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Will Benson and Dane Myers should have no regular 25 man roster spot on a winning MLB team. They are both scrubs and always have been.

Rece Hinds, Hector Rodriguez and JJ Bleday all should be on the roster now.

[WrongVerb]

Some guys turn it on late. The one I go to is Ryan Ludwick. Could not get a full time job till he was 28, broke out at 29. Now that was not 1500 PAs, but it was about 6 years after his MLB debut. JD Martinez did after almost 1000 PAs. José Bautista was well over that. Justin Turner had about 900+ PAs before breaking out with the Dodgers. And if we are talking meh to superstar, Edwin Encarnación

George Foster had 1049PA from 1969 through 1974, hit 27 HR with a .697 OPS.

[Tony Cloninger]

George Foster had 1049PA from 1969 through 1974, hit 27 HR with a .697 OPS.

Add Bill Robinson after he left the Yankees. Revived with the Phillies after a year in the minors then busted out for 4-5 years with the Pirates.

[Sea Ray]

Guessing his entire career is a better representation of Oneil than the last week

He had a chance to win the game for the Pirates last night and he struck out


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[Kingspoint]

After two holes of play, the REDS are still on pacing towards 91 Wins and 1-under Par, with winning 5 out of every 9 being Par. They've gone 6-3 and 5-4 on the first two holes.

[Redhook]

Matt McLain pretty obviously needs to flatten his swing and stop upper cutting the ball trying to hit it out.

Matt has only a 10.9% line drive rate and a 50% fly ball rate. In his best year, 2023, McLain’s average launch angle was 13.8%, but currently is 22.3%. Statcast shows he hits under the ball 37% of the time, whereas in 2023 he hit under the ball much less, 23.6%.

Great stats and thanks for sharing. This is a pretty easy fix unless the player is too stubborn or too ignorant to change it. I'm guessing he's fairly intelligent and knows his tendencies so I wonder why he thinks he needs to swing for the fences. It's proven that this method doesn't work for him.....or for most hitters.

[LiferJim]

Will Benson and Dane Myers should have no regular 25 man roster spot on a winning MLB team. They are both scrubs and always have been.

Rece Hinds, Hector Rodriguez and JJ Bleday all should be on the roster now.

I agree about Benson, but Myers has a .284 career BA and a .780 OPS against LHP. Only use him in those situations and as a late inning defensive replacement and he is fine on a team that struggles mightily against LHP. I also agree Bleday should be on the team. Hector is only 22 years old, but if he keeps killing the ball in AAA, I hope to see him sometime fairly soon too. Since this is Hectors first year in AAA, I wouldn’t call him up unless there is an everyday spot open, as he needs to play daily at that age.


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[Ren Deagle]

Sal Stewart has a SIX RBI night and no one wants to talk about it?

[herbdizzle]

I agree about Benson, but Myers has a .284 career BA and a .780 OPS against LHP. Only use him in those situations and as a late inning defensive replacement and he is fine on a team that struggles mightily against LHP. I also agree Bleday should be on the team. Hector is only 22 years old, but if he keeps killing the ball in AAA, I hope to see him sometime fairly soon too. Since this is Hectors first year in AAA, I wouldn’t call him up unless there is an everyday spot open, as he needs to play daily at that age.


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Myers is a 30 year old guy with career replacement level production. He's by definition a scrub. I don't care if hes hit a few singles. It's just another version of Stuart Fairchild, and a worse one than that.

The Reds need to quit talking themselves into guys like Myers and Benson.

[mth123]

Myers is a 30 year old guy with career replacement level production. He's by definition a scrub. I don't care if hes hit a few singles. It's just another version of Stuart Fairchild, and a worse one than that.

The Reds need to quit talking themselves into guys like Myers and Benson.

I mostly agree. I'm OK with Myers at the end of the bench if there is room (but a good team probably shouldn't have room). He's a clear upgrade over guys like Connor Joe and players of that ilk who appear on the Reds roster every year.

When it comes to the Reds OF, I'd go with Friedl who has actually established himself (but may be declining and could morph into a bench player who is non-tendered after the season) and the younger guys - H-Rod, Marte and Hinds. I'd keep Steer around as bench player who provides league average offense as a 'tweener but is a great insurance policy behind the young Outfielders. Add those 5 to 2 Catchers, Stewart, McLain, EDLC and Suarez and you have 11. That means 2 spots for Hayes, Myers, Lowe or somebody else. Personally, I'd keep Lowe and look to add a more versatile glove who can also play MI in addition to all 3 OF spots.

Hinds may wash out by the end of May and Marte may never get past his swing at everything profile. H-Rod might not stick so they have to keep some guys around.

[WrongVerb]

Sal Stewart has a SIX RBI night and no one wants to talk about it?

We would, but there are arguments to be had over the 26th man on the roster. Priorities!

[shaggy]

Sal Stewart has a SIX RBI night and no one wants to talk about it?

I would like to talk about the fact that he is getting more expensive for the Reds everyday. Teams around the league are locking up young studs like Sal every other week now and there really isn't any news on an extension for Sal even floating around out there.