3 biggest surprises on Reds roster through the first few weeks of the 2025 season

Fans of the Cincinnati Reds have generally had an optimistic approach heading into the 2025 season. With a roster full of young talent, a healthy core returning, and postseason hopes not far from their reach, there has been plenty to look forward to.

But as always in baseball, some of the biggest storylines aren't the ones you predict — they're the ones that sneak up on you. A few weeks into the season, the Reds have already given fans plenty to talk about. Whether it’s unexpected performances, role changes, or sudden development from familiar faces, surprises have come from all corners of the organization.

Here are three of the biggest surprises that have defined Cincinnati’s early 2025 campaign.

3 biggest surprises on Reds roster through the first few weeks of the 2025 season

Santiago Espinal batting second in the Reds lineup

Known primarily for his defensive versatility, Santiago Espinal has built a solid reputation as a glove-first infielder. So, when Reds fans saw his name penciled into the No. 2 spot in the batting order, it raised more than a few eyebrows. It’s a surprising move especially for a player who’s never been known for his offensive prowess.

Espinal owns a career batting average of .265 with just 20 home runs across six big-league seasons. He’s not going to be mistaken for a power hitter, but what he does bring to the table is elite bat-to-ball skills. His career strikeout rate of just 13.9% is well below the league average, and so far in 2025, he’s taken that a step further — striking out only twice in his first 40 at-bats, good for a microscopic 4.8% strikeout rate.

The problem? The contact isn’t producing any meaningful production. Espinal is currently slashing just .275/.310/.325 with no home runs and just two RBI to show for it. He’s collected 11 hits, but nearly all of them have been soft singles, and he’s yet to make a real impact offensively. While his ability to put the ball in play has value, it’s hard to justify his placement in a premium lineup spot without some form of consistent run creation.

If Espinal wants to stay near the top of the order, he’ll need to start driving the ball with more authority — or at least find ways to spark the offense beyond just avoiding strikeouts.

Graham Ashcraft is carving up hitters out of the Reds bullpen

Graham Ashcraft’s journey to establishing himself at the major league level has been anything but smooth. Once viewed as a potential mid-rotation mainstay for the Reds, Ashcraft struggled to find consistent success as a starter over his first three seasons. Right before the 2025 season began, the organization made a tough call — shifting him to the bullpen. Rather than sulk or see it as a demotion, Ashcraft embraced the move with maturity and fire, declaring that if the bullpen was his new home, he’d become the best arm they had.

So far, he’s backed up that sentiment. Ashcraft has looked downright dominant in his new role, appearing in six games and logging 7 ⅓ scoreless innings. He’s allowed five hits, walked two batters, and struck out five — a strong opening line that reflects both efficiency and command. While the 7.7% walk rate mirrors his mark from last year and suggests there’s still some refinement needed, his underlying metrics are what really stands out.

Opposing hitters simply aren’t squaring him up. He has yet to give up a barreled ball all season, and the average exit velocity against him is just 79.4 mph. That kind of soft contact is coming largely thanks to his cutter-slider combination, especially the cutter, which he’s thrown 78% of the time. Hitters are struggling to figure it out, and Ashcraft’s confidence on the mound is matching the stuff he’s throwing. 

Can he sustain this? Regression is definitely likely as the season grinds on, but Ashcraft’s early dominance isn’t a fluke. If he continues to pitch with this kind of conviction and command, the Reds may have stumbled into something they’ve been lacking for a while: a reliable, high-leverage bullpen weapon.

Whether he ultimately sees himself returning to a starter’s role or not, his performance out of the ‘pen in 2025 so far has been a major win.

Reds prospect Sal Stewart tearing up the base paths in Double-A

The Cincinnati Reds’ No. 3 prospect, Sal Stewart, has long been touted for his bat. With a mature approach at the plate, impressive bat-to-ball skills, and a knack for avoiding strikeouts, Stewart has been a consistent offensive presence throughout his young career. But if there was one knock on his game, it was his lack of speed.

Apparently, he’s had enough of that narrative. Stewart has never been known as a burner on the basepaths — he entered 2025 with just 25 career stolen bases across three minor league seasons (15 in 2023, 10 in 2024). However, in a surprising twist to start the year, Stewart has already swiped four bags in his first eight games at Double-A. He’s clearly determined to rewrite his scouting report this season.

And he’s doing all of this while still doing what he’s best known for: raking at the plate. Through those eight games, Stewart is slashing a scorching hot .375/.444/.688, already launching his two home runs on the season — including a game-winning grand slam — and showing that the power is very much alive and still a part of his game. While he entered the year graded with below-average speed but above-average athleticism, he’s quickly proving that instincts and hustle can make a big difference. Stewart is turning heads with smart, aggressive base-running and it’s adding a new dimension to his game.

If he continues to blend his tools the way he has to open 2025, it won’t be long before more evaluators start talking about Stewart as more than just a bat-first corner infielder. He’s starting to look like a complete player and maybe even a five-tool threat in the making.

It’s still early in the 2025 season, but these surprise performances are already shaping the narrative of the Reds’ organization. Whether it’s a utility player trying to take on a bigger role, a former starter thriving in relief, or a top prospect evolving into a more complete player — Cincinnati is getting creative with unexpected contributions. Whether the trends continue or not, they've already proven that this roster is far from predictable.

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