5 Reds X-factors who could make a huge impact in 2025

Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene are superstars. But it takes more than star-power to play winning baseball. Getting key contributions throughout the season from unexpected sources, or X-factors if you will, can be the difference between a trip to the postseason and watching October baseball from the comfort of your living room.

Nick Martinez was arguably the Cincinnati Reds' biggest X-factor last season. Martinez signed a free agent deal with the Reds during the offseason, and filled a vital role as both a starter and reliever in 2024. Which players on this year's Reds team could become an X-factor?

5 Reds X-factors who could make a huge impact in 2025

Graham Ashcraft, Reds pitcher

Graham Ashcraft is going from middle-of-the-rotation starter to high-leverage reliever. Throughout his career, Ashcraft has struggled facing batters multiple times in the same game, so pushing him into the bullpen should allow the right-hander to attack hitters with his cutter/ slider combination. Ashcraft could be a key reliever at the backend of Terry Francona's bullpen, and may well wind up as Cincinnati's closer by the end of the season.

Blake Dunn, Reds outfielder

Francona has stated that Blake Dunn is not a platoon player, and with Cincinnati's roster so beaten up in the early-going, he's been true to his word. The question becomes whether or not Dunn will remain more than a platoon player once Austin Hays returns from the IL. If the answer is yes, Dunn has the ability to impact the game both at the plate and in the field. He's also a speedy runner. Keep your eye on Dunn this season.

Noelvi Marte, Reds infielder

Noelvi Marte got an early-season call-up, but it remains to be seen how long he'll last once the Reds are at full strength. Marte' struggles in 2024 have been cited ad nauseam, but fans will remember that his successful debut at the tail-end of the 2023 season had many believing he would be a cornerstone of the Reds franchise for years to come. If he can tap back into that potential once again, it's easy to see a scenario in which Marte is Cincinnati's starting third baseman at the end of the year.

Zach Maxwell, Reds pitcher

In terms of stuff, it doesn't get much better than Zach Maxwell. The 6-foot-7 flamethrower brings the heat and dares you to hit it. Maxwell is currently down at Triple-A Louisville, and while his fastball is overpowering, the right-hander has struggled with command. If he can minimize the walks, it's only a matter of time before he joins the Reds bullpen, and will surely be thrust into high-leverage situations.

Chase Burns, Reds pitcher

Chase Burns may be the ultimate X-factor, simply because there's no telling how or if the Reds plan to call him up to the big leagues this season. Just like Maxwell, Burns will overpower hitters with his fastball, but the hard-throwing right-hander also has a plus-breaking ball that is nearly un-hittable. Cincinnati could choose to follow the same path they did last season with Rhett Lowder, but could also look to limit Burns' innings by moving him into a relief role during the second-half of the season.

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