Edwin Arroyo is forcing Reds to confront growing reality fans already see

It's safe to say that the Cincinnati Reds' lineup is deeper and more potent than it was a year ago. By the same token, it's also obvious that too many weak spots remain. Overall, the team ranks eighth in home runs (70), 13th in OPS (.709), and 14th in runs scored (248). After finishing 14th in runs, 21st in homers, and 19th in OPS a year ago, Reds fans have seen progress, but more is needed.

Those weak spots are the difference between small improvements and where Cincinnati truly wants to reside as one of the more formidable offenses in baseball. Three big culprits -- Matt McLain, Will Benson, and TJ Friedl -- are the anchors holding them back.

McLain has been just as brutal this year as he was last year. For a brief moment, he looked like he might be turning it around as the calendar hit mid-May, but since May 19, he has gone ice-cold again with just one hit in his last 23 at-bats. He has a 74 wRC+ on the year.

Meanwhile, one has to wonder how many chances Benson has left. The 28-year-old is slashing just .177/.316/.304 with a 30.2% strikeout rate. He's been surpassed by JJ Bleday on the depth chart and hasn't posted a wRC+ better than 85 since 2023.

Friedl has been the worst of the bunch, however. Terry Francona offered him words of encouragement, telling him, "You’ve got to walk up to the plate with your chest out still. You’ve got to be strong enough mentally to look at the scoreboard and see your batting average and know that's not what you are.’”

Something has got to give with one or more of these three, all of whom still have minor-league options. Edwin Arroyo is making a push down at Louisville, and it should be clearer by the day that he's ready to steal a roster spot away.

The Reds can no longer deny Edwin Arroyo a roster spot

Arroyo has been scorching hot all year, and while the Reds haven't been rushing him, he's becoming impossible to deny. Through 52 games, he's hitting a juicy .329/.389/.573 with 11 homers and nine steals. His season-high for homers as a pro is 14, coming over 116 games back in 2022. He's on pace to shatter that mark with his newfound power stroke in 2026.

A big reason for his sizzling start has been a marked improvement against right-handed pitching. The young switch-hitter posted a .715 OPS while batting left-handed last year. This year, he's closed off his stance and simplified his setup, leading to a 1.053 OPS from the lefty batter's box this season. The underlying metrics prove that the improvement is no fluke.

The big leaguer in his crosshairs to take down might seem to be McLain. The 22-year-old plays shortstop, but could easily slide to second base to fill McLain's spot. He's also gotten reps at the hot corner, increasing his versatility.

But McLain isn't the only one in jeopardy. Versatility on the part of Spencer Steer allows for pressure to be put on the outfielders as well. The Reds' unsung Swiss Army knife has logged time at both corner outfield spots as well as playing first, second, and third in the infield. Arroyo could absolve him of his infield duties should Cincinnati decide that sending down Friedl or Benson is the better call.

The time has come. Arroyo has earned the opportunity, and the Reds risk nothing by sending down one of these struggling vets. One way or another, the pieces will fit with the 22-year-old on the roster, and the potential he brings with his speed, contact, and enhanced power could be just the spark the club needs to build a superior offense once and for all.

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