Austin Hays' injury could force Reds into bold call-up fans have been waiting for

Austin Hays has been out of the Cincinnati Reds lineup for the past few days with a hamstring injury, and the team's most impactful free agent signing may be headed for a brief stint on the injured list. If Hays hits the IL, the Reds will need to replace his production in the lineup, and few players in the Reds' minor leagues are up to such a task. Rece Hinds' recent hot-streak, however, should force Cincinnati to give him an extended look in the big leagues.

Reds fans will remember how quickly Hinds became an overnight sensation last July. The former second-round pick blasted his way into the record books with multiple power-packed performances during his first week in The Show, but his star quickly faded and Hinds returned to the minors after just 40 plate appearances.

Hinds has yet to join the Reds' active roster this season, but over the last week he's hitting .375/.424/.667 in Triple-A and has four extra-base hits and seven RBI. In 28 games with the Louisville Bats this season, Hinds is hitting .270/.333/.490. While his 32.2% strikeout rate is rather unattractive, the Reds don't have a better right-handed bat on the 40-man roster.

Austin Hays injury could force Reds to bold call-up Rece Hinds

Hinds is a highlight reel waiting to happen, but the problem is, sometimes it's not worth the wait. Hinds is your prototypical boom-or-bust type of player, meaning that when he's on, no pitcher wants to see him step into the batters' box. But when Hinds is off his game, he becomes the easiest out in the Reds lineup.

Prior to the All-Star break last season, Hinds was hitting .423/.464/1.192 through his first seven games. He had five home runs — all of which were absolutely destroyed — and 11 RBI. Hinds also plays above average defense and can swipe a few bags as well. But after the Midsummer Classic, Hinds went 1-for-12 while striking out 41.7% of the time and was swapped out at the end of July for TJ Friedl.

While Will Benson would be another option, the Reds have already tried that this season. The former first-rounder went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and was promptly returned to Triple-A. The Reds are currently without Tyler Stephenson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand — both of whom are right-handed hitters. Jeimer Candelario, who's a switch-hitter, is also on the IL. If Hays is out too, the Reds need another right-handed hitting outfielder to pair with Blake Dunn when Cincinnati is facing a left-handed pitcher.

It's time to be bold, Reds. If Hays winds up on the IL, it's time for Cincinnati to give Hinds a second-chance to prove that he belongs in the big leagues. Make the call, Nick Krall.

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