Chatter of Austin Hays' future evokes cautionary tale of former Reds' one-hit wonder

The Cincinnati Reds have a horrendous track record when it comes to developing outfielders, so you'll have to excuse the fanbase for beginning to wonder about the prospects of signing Austin Hays to a long-term deal. The outfielder has made a tremendous first impression, and many Reds fans already have visions of the 29-year-old remaining in Cincinnati beyond the 2025 season.

After an All-Star campaign in 2023, Hays battled injuries and poor production in 2024 and settled for a one-year, $4 million deal this past offseason in order to reestablish his value. Hays is off to a rip-roaring start after landing on the IL to begin the year. Fully healed from the calf injury that caused him to miss Opening Day, Hays is now hitting .371/.421/.657 with three home runs and nine RBI in just eight games.

But Hays' start to the 2025 campaign might remind some Reds fans of another outfielder who called Cincinnati home for two years. Tyler Naquin, who's now trying his hand at pitching, broke onto the scene for the Reds in 2021 after an injury-plagued career with the Cleveland Guardians. Naquin's time with the Reds offers a cautionary tale for those fans hoping to keep Hays in the Queen City beyond just the 2025 season.

Chatter of Austin Hays' future evokes cautionary tale of former Reds' one-hit wonder Tyler Naquin

After being non-tendered by the Guardians in 2020, Naquin was signed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training prior to the start of the 2021 season. His contract was selected and Naquin found his way onto the Reds Opening Day roster. After Nick Senzel (predictably) hit the IL with a season-ending knee injury, Naquin became the Reds' everyday centerfielder.

In 127 games, Naquin posted a .270/.333/.477 slash line with 19 home runs and 70 RBI while finding a home in the middle of the Reds lineup. A late-season injury saw Naquin's 2021 season cut short, but he produced enough during his time to force Cincinnati's hand. The Reds kept Naquin around for the 2022 season, avoiding arbitration and agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal.

But Naquin's production took a downturn in 2022. A hand injury pushed the Reds outfielder onto the IL, and he returned to the active roster just in time to be traded to the New York Mets in July. Naquin hit just .246/.305/.444 prior to the trade, and posted an unsightly .203/.246/.390 slash line after landing in Queens.

So before talk of extending Hays reaches a fever pitch in Cincinnati, Reds fans should remember how quickly Naquin fell out of favor following his introduction in 2021. The Reds inability to find a serviceable outfielder drives fans to extremes, and Hays may indeed be the type of player that the organization wants to hitch it's wagon to for years to come. Nevertheless, the Cincinnati faithful should pump the brakes for the time being.

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