Look for buried Reds outfielder to emerge from 2024 also-rans and shine in 2025

Even with the addition of Austin Hays, every Cincinnati Reds fan knows that the outfield is — by far — the biggest void on this year's team. One look at the Reds' projected starting lineup reveals three players who endured down-years in 2024, meaning the Cincinnati is counting on all three to bounce back in 2025. That's certainly a strategy, but not a wise one.

Hays suffered through a harsh kidney infection last season that sapped his strength and tanked his production. Reds' centerfielder TJ Friedl was on and off the injured list almost as much as Nick Lodolo. Jake Fraley faced an unbelievably difficult off-the-field situation, but also missed time due to a knee injury. In short, the three players Cincinnati is counting on the man the outfield in 2025 were unreliable last season.

Reds outfielder Blake Dunn looks to emerge in 2025

But in addition to the trio of Hays, Frield, and Fraley, the Reds also have a number of fringe outfielders on the 40-man roster. Rece Hinds showed mega-power in 2024, but also struck out about 40% of the time. The light-hitting Jacob Hurtubise is a terrific story, but the West Point graduate is more of defensive replacement than an everyday player. Stuart Fairchild is an above-average defender, but can't hit right-handed pitching, and Will Benson fell off a cliff in last season after bursting onto the scene in 2023.

But one player who's been overlooked throughout the offseason is Blake Dunn. The former 15th round draft pick was the Reds 2023 Minor League Player of the Year, but a slew of injuries prevented Dunn from finding his footing last season. Dunn was hit in the head by a 101 mph fastball in June and placed on the IL with a facial laceration. Dunn appeared in just 19 big league games last and spent most of the year in Triple-A Louisville.

During the final month of the minor league season, Dunn finally began to look like the player he was in 2023. During the Louisville Bats' final 29 games, Dunn hit .283/.367/.354. The power wasn't there, but his keen at the plate allowed Dunn to keep his strikeout rate below 20%.

When he's able to get on base, Dunn's speed becomes a weapon. During that final month of the season, Dunn swiped nine bags and was only thrown out once. That speed also allows the Western Michigan alum to cover a ton of ground in the outfield, making him an above-average defender who has the ability to play all three spots.

If Dunn can emerge from spring training healthy, don't be surprised if he's part of the Reds Opening Day roster, or at the very least, the next man up while biding his time down at Triple-A Louisville. Dunn could be poised to break on the scene in 2025.

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