Reds new addition Joey Wiemer is the perfect complement for this outfielder

At this year's MB trade deadline, the Reds traded starting pitcher Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Jakob Junis and outfielder Joey Wiemer. Junis should fit nicely into the Reds bullpen, and Wiemer could be the perfect platoon partner for Cincinnati outfielder Will Benson.

After a breakout 2023 in which he hit .275 with 34 extra base hits, the Reds were hoping that Benson would cement himself as an everyday player. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened, and the former first-round pick has continued to struggle against left-handed pitching. In 62 plate appearances against southpaws this season, Benson is hitting .140/.279/.260 with just four extra base hits.

Benson handles right-handed pitching much better with a .792 OPS for his career, and the bulk of his extra-base hits have come off right-handers. It was clear after his early-season struggles that Benson needed a platoon partner, and the trade deadline may have brought that player to the Reds roster.

Reds new OF Joey Wiemer is the perfect complement for Will Benson

Wiemer enjoyed a decent rookie campaign, hitting 13 home runs during his rookie season with the Brewers in 2023. This season, however, hasn’t been what Wiemer envisioned. After being recalled as an injury replacement, Wiemer hit a paltry .154 in just 27 plate appearances and hasn’t played in the majors since May 22nd.

With a fresh start and an opportunity to platoon with the Reds, Wiemer could flourish. The former Cincinnati Bearcat enjoys facing left-handed pitching as evidenced by his .263/.290/.481 career slash line.

Pairing Benson with Wiemer (who's currently down at Triple-A Louisville) is exactly what the Reds need down the stretch. Cincinnati is still withing striking distance of the NL Wild Card, and adding Wiemer's bat to the active roster over the final two months could help propel the Reds into the postseason.

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