3 Reds players must bounce back fast after disastrous 2025 season

The Cincinnati Reds received some surprise contributions from a number of young players in 2025. It's doubtful that anyone expected the likes of Sal Stewart, Chase Burns, or Noelvi Marte to have the type of impact they did this past season.

But while Cincinnati received some help from some unexpected sources in 2025, there were also a handful of players who failed to live up to the hype. Which three Reds players struggled mightily in 2025 and must bounce back in 2026?

3 Reds players must bounce back fast after disastrous 2025 season

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds infielder

The last time Reds fans saw Christian Encarnacion-Strand on a Major League diamond was all the way back on July 8. Encarnacion-Strand's 2025 season ended at Triple-A Louisville after he hit just .208/.234/.377 in 36 games with the Reds this season.

To call Encarnacion-Strand's season a disappointment would be a severe understatement. He was supposed to be the thumper in the middle of the Reds lineup, but instead the slugger struggled to stay healthy, and when he was on the field, swung at nearly everything in sight. Encarnacion-Strand owned a 46.6% chase rate in 2025, and he'll never see a Major League field again if he doesn't cut down on the swings and misses heading into next season.

Matt McLain, Reds infielder

It almost seems cruel to keep pointing the finger at Matt McLain, but he was supposed to be a key cog in the middle of the Reds' batting order this season. Terry Francona tried his best not to give up on the former first-round pick, but eventually McLain fell out favor and was relegated to the bottom of the Reds lineup.

McLain may be in line to receive a mulligan this season after undergoing shoulder surgery and missing all of the 2024 campaign. The Reds, however, cannot afford to give him another chance in 2026 without having a backup plan in place. Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux can both play second base, but the best case scenario would be McLain returning to the player he was during his rookie season in 2023.

Rhett Lowder, Reds pitcher

Rhett Lowder had a lost season in 2025. The Reds' top prospect heading into the year, Lowder arrived in Goodyear with an elbow injury that sidelined him for the first couple months of the season. The right-hander then suffered an oblique injury, and despite his best efforts, never made into a Major League game this season.

The Reds had enough pitching depth to survive Lowder's absence in 2025, but need him back at full strength in 2026. Cincinnati is likely to lose both Zack Littell and Nick Martinez to free agency this offseason, and need as many capable arms as possible heading into spring training next February.

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