The Reds may have found a sneaky strength heading into 2027

The 2026 season has been filled with more disappointments than joyful moments for the Cincinnati Reds, but it hasn't been all bad in the Queen City. A legitimate under-the-radar surprise has been the play of outfielder Dane Myers, who seemed like nothing more than a flier as a platoon bat at the time of the trade last winter.

Myers arrived in Cincinnati coming off a season in which he posted just a .617 OPS, and owned a .653 OPS for his career coming into 2026. The one thing he had on his résumé that was intriguing was an ability to mash lefties.

He's certainly made southpaws pay this season with a .286/.372/.480 line with the platoon advantage this season. That makes him one of the few players on the Reds roster who have lived up to expectations, but he's also done more than just that.

Myers came in essentially useless against right-handed pitching, slashing .213/.260/.289 against them for his career. However, this year, he's made some serious strides. While the power numbers won't light the world on fire, Myers is hitting .252/.341/.311 when at a platoon disadvantage in 2026.

Making decent contact and getting on base at an above-average clip is not a bad look at all, especially when you consider how hard it is to find athletes who are both capable of handling the demands of center field defense while also being a net positive at the plate.

Speaking of defensive prowess, Myers can really go after it in center. The defensive metrics might not love him, with 0 outs above average and -7 defensive runs saved on the season, but when you watch him go after it out there you can see that he has the skills to be a plus-defender. Not to mention the cannon for an arm he possesses, which ranks in the 97th percentile.

With Dane Myers, the Reds could find center field to be a strength in 2027, and he may have help

Myers has hit .265/.353/.378 in total this season, and his past history suggests that he could produce even more power next season, especially when you consider he suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the year that both cost him some time and possibly some pop. On top of his contributions at the plate and in the field, he's also been a demon on the bases.

The 30-year-old has only 10 steals on the year, but he hasn't been caught once. More important than the stolen base prowess, however, is his ability to take the extra base and put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. His base running has produced an extremely solid run value of three this season.

Myers might not be a star, but he's a solid all-around ball player, and winning clubs need those. He also might not be the only solution at the position.

It's only been a few days since top prospect Carlos Jorge got his promotion, but he could use this opportunity in September to make his mark and carve out a role in 2027.

Jorge put together an extremely solid season between Chattanooga and Louisville, hitting a combined .308/.376/.427 with eight homers and 33 steals. He was better against Double-A competition, hitting .330/.402/.452 versus a .263/.327/.377 mark in Louisville over 29 games.

That discrepancy doesn't mean that Jorge's offseason development can't make him a weapon for 2027. The converted infielder is another dynamic athlete with speed and a well-rounded skill set. He's also a lefty bat, giving Cincinnati the option to platoon him alongside Myers or, if both show out, have the pair settle two of the three outfield spots.

Center field is a tough position to fill around the league, but the way these two guys look, it could be a real strength for the Reds in 2027. The best news is that if one fails, they can turn to the other and still feel pretty good that things will work out in their favor.

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