Edwin Arroyo is suddenly putting pressure on Reds veterans in the best way possible

The Cincinnati Reds are finding out the hard way that they're a little short on firepower as they hit a rough patch once the calendar flipped from April to May. The club is struggling offensively again, with 156 runs scored, which ranks 24th, and a .686 OPS, which ranks 23rd through May 8. They've quickly discovered that Ke'Bryan Hayes and Matt McLain can't exist in the lineup at the same time.

Hayes and McLain have their defensive value, but their shortcomings at the plate have turned them into a pair of black holes that the Reds can no longer truly afford to run out there day in and day out.

The problem is, where can they turn? Eugenio Suárez's return from the IL can help hide Hayes, but his current timetable has him coming back sometime between June and July, and by that point, it might be too late. The other issue is that Suárez could bump Hayes, but that doesn't do anything to solve the McLain issue.

Fortunately, Cincinnati has a top prospect raking down in Louisville in the form of Edwin Arroyo, and the way the organization is preparing him could solve both problems in one fell swoop.

Reds setting the scene for Matt McLain, Ke'Bryan Hayes to take a back seat

It seemed since spring training that Arroyo would be set up to bang down the door to the big leagues at some point in 2026. The young shortstop has the defensive chops you crave, the speed to make an impact, and a nice contact tool to build around. The only question was if he had enough pop in his bat to play an everyday role.

After slugging just .371 in Chattanooga last year while making a comeback from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Now, though, he's tapping into his slugging capabilities, blasting high-velocity shots all over the field.

The switch hitter is slashing .331/.404/.568 through 36 games at Triple-A. He's hit seven homers so far, but more than that is the extra-base hit total overall. In addition to those dingers, Arroyo has six doubles and four triples on his ledger.

Cincy's No. 6 prospect is showing out, and if he keeps it up, he'll force his way up sooner rather than later, but the club's plan for him might be the solution to the Hayes-McLain conundrum.

The 22-year-old is a natural shortstop, but the Reds have been giving him reps at both second and third base this year. That added versatility could help him find a real role in the majors. Essentially, Arroyo could become a super-utility man who ends up getting everyday at-bats by moving around the infield.

Mixed with Sal Stewart's versatility and Suarez's eventual return, the Reds will have options at both the keystone and the hot corner to keep McLain and Hayes on the bench with regularity. Arroyo could then find a little extra run by spelling Elly De La Cruz at short on the rare day off for the superstar.

The Reds are finding that they're a bat or two short in the lineup with McLain and Hayes playing every day, but fortunately, Arroyo's scorching start and developing power could set him up to be the solution they crave.

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