The Cincinnati Reds have moved within a half-game game of a Wild Card spot. The string of success has Cincinnati looking like legitimate contenders and possible buyers at the MLB trade deadline. The most obvious need is a power outfield bat, but what if the best fit for that role is already in the Reds’ system?
While Reds fans have been forced to watch Connor Joe and Garrett Hampson produce a combined .556 OPS as the team’s backup outfielders, Rece Hinds has been making his case for a return to the big league club.
Since being demoted to Triple-A on May 24, Hinds has been on fire and is only getting hotter as June rolls on. This month, Hinds has a 1.084 OPS with a .463 batting average on balls in play.
The Reds should reward Rece Hinds’ hot streak with a return to the bigs
Since batting nearly .400 in the month of June so far hasn’t been enough for Hinds to move back to the big leagues, he upped the ante. The outfielder, who is known more for his power than his glove, made a leaping grab to rob a home run and landed on the SportsCenter Top 10.
ICYMI-Rece Hinds' incredible catch from last night's game was featured on the @SportsCenter Top 10! #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/h63BlKQVf5
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) June 18, 2025
Hinds, of course, is prone to such hot spells. His call-up last season turned heads for about a week until he went ice cold at the plate. Perhaps, though, this time is different. Hinds produced a 50% strikeout rate during his time with the Reds early this season, but the slugger seems to have made considerable strides in his approach since returning to Triple-A.
His strikeout rate is just 19% since his demotion. Hitting at a lower level cannot be the sole factor here as he racked up a 29.7% K rate in his first Triple-A stint this year and had a 37.9% rate at the level last season.
Because of the pop in his bat, Hinds has always had promise, but he hasn’t always gotten the chance to settle into a consistent role. At the first sign of regression last season, the Reds moved Hinds to the bench where he went hitless as a sub. There are starts to be had now; Joe pulled three just this week. Joe has two options, and the Reds could easily cut ties with Hampson. It’s time for them to give Hinds another shot to maximize his potential.