3 Reds who weren’t on fans’ radar in March but could become playoff X-factors

The Cincinnati Reds are in the thick of the hunt for the final NL Wild Card spot. At the moment, it's a three-way battle between the Reds, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants with a little over two weeks remaining in the regular season.

The Reds pitching staff has willed this team into playoff contention. The usual suspects like Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott have been stellar this season. Though Elly De La Cruz has hit a wall of late, the Reds' star shortstop has been a key component of the team's success, and Cincinnati has received predictable contributions from players like TJ Friedl and Austin Hays as well.

But there's always a handful of players whose performances are unexpected. Which three Reds players — who weren't on the fans' minds back in March — could be X-factors if Cincinnati is fortunate enough to make the postseason?

These 3 Reds players could become playoff X-factors

Noelvi Marte, Reds outfielder

There is not a single person in Reds Country who could truthfully say that they saw this coming. Noelvi Marte put together one of the worst possible seasons in 2024, but he's become one of the Reds best players in 2025. Not only has Marte been clutch, but he's made the switch to the outfield and has thrived since moving off third base.

Marte gives Cincinnati a legitimate power-threat in the middle of the batting order, and while his defense has been questionable at times, he's also made some dynamite throws from right field. Marte's bat (and arm) could be an X-factor if the Reds make it to the postseason.

Tony Santillan, Reds pitcher

Alexis Díaz was supposed to be the Reds closer, but after a preseason injury and an unproductive stint in the majors, the right-hander was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has since been DFA'd and pick up by the Atlanta Braves.

Emilio Pagán took over the reins of closer, but Tony Santillan has arguably been Cincinnati's best reliever this season. Santillan was off the Major League roster until late last season, and has since become an indispensable member of the Reds bullpen. The hard-throwing righty could be an X-factor if Cincy makes it to the playoffs.

Ke'Bryan Hayes, Reds infielder

This is sort of cheating since Ke'Bryan Hayes wasn't even on the Reds roster back in March. Nevertheless, the slick fielding third baseman has been turning heads ever since arriving in Cincinnati at the July 31 trade deadline, and it hasn't just been his glove that's impressed the fanbase.

The Reds needed to upgrade their infielder defense, and Hayes is likely to win a Gold Glove this season. Few, however, expected the former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder to hit once he put on a Reds uniform. Hayes has a .282/.356/.427 slash line since joining the Reds in late-July, and that could be an unexpected boost for Cincinnati if they're fortunate enough to play baseball into the month of October.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors