Reds just signed a massive power bat but familiar flaw already raises concern

The Cincinnati Reds have been looking for a big-time power hitter all offseason, and just found one after signing former Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia to a minor-league contract. It's presumed that his deal includes a non-roster invite to spring training.

Toglia will undoubtedly bring some thunder to Goodyear next month, but the 27-year-old has a familiar flaw that will make it quite difficult for him to break camp with the big-league ball club. He swings and misses a lot. In fact, last season with the Rockies, Toglia struck out nearly 40% of the time.

Cincinnati's search for power has come up empty this offseason, so taking a flier on a high-upside bat like Toglia's makes sense. But Reds fans have seen this movie before, and the slugger's 2026 destination will most likely be alongside Rece Hinds and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in Triple-A Louisville.

Reds sign ex-Rockies slugger Michael Toglia to a minor-league deal

Toglia can hit the cover off the ball. In 2024, he ranked among the 90th percentile or higher in barrel rate, average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and expected slugging percentage. But he also fell below the 5th percentile in both strikeout rate and chase rate. In other words, when Toglia connects, the ball goes a long, long way. But he doesn't connect that often.

In terms of positional fit, this gives Cincinnati yet another first base/ DH option alongside Encarnacion-Strand, Spencer Steer, and Sal Stewart. At the moment, Steer and Stewart feel like the most likely of that group to be part of the Reds Opening Day roster, but spring training performances will help determine who leaves Arizona with a plane ticket to southwest Ohio.

If the Reds fail to make any sort of meaningful upgrade to the lineup before spring training, Toglia will have a real shot to make the team. He's out of minor-league options, but is still pre-arbitration eligible, and represents a low-risk signing for the tight-fisted Reds.

Still, fans want to see the Reds front office pursue an everyday player with power, not a one-dimensional slugger who's little more than a minor-league depth option.