Reds unlock better version of TJ Friedl after simple but telling adjustment

TJ Friedl enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, but he's gotten off to a slow start this season. Heading into Wednesday's game against the Miami Marlins, the Cincinnati Reds centerfielder was hitting just .132/.283/.132 with a 33 wRC+.

But Friedl enjoyed a three-hit night at loanDepot Park on Wednesday and raised his batting average by more than 50 points. Though all of his base knocks were singles, he's now hitting .186 with a 55 wRC+. A few more games like that will give Reds fans hope that the old Friedl is back.

Reds OF TJ Friedl changed his batting stance, but the results have been underwhelming

Interestingly enough, Friedl made an observable adjustment during Wednesday's game that the broadcast crew for RedsTV were quick to point out. When Friedl was down two strikes, he began to hunker down and crouch in the batter's box; a batting stance similar to the one he used all last season. Hilariously, all three of Friedl's hits on Wednesday came with two strikes while he was crouched in the batter's box.

Earlier in the season, RedsTV reporter Jim Day spoke about Friedl's new batting stance and cited the new ABS challenge as the reason for the change. Major League Baseball has tailored ABS to each player's standing height, so when Friedl crouches in his stance, he's actually hurting himself in terms of the way the new system is measured.

But his performance on Wednesday might lead Friedl to rethink his offseason strategy. Though it may hurt him in terms of challenging balls and strikes, it certainly seems like he sees the ball better when he's crouched lower in his stance.

The Reds have altered Friedl's responsibilities in 2026. With the addition of Dane Myers during the offseason, Friedl is no longer seen as the everyday centerfielder. Admittedly he's lost a step, and is a much better fit in left field — a position he's covered for 29 innings already this season.

Nevertheless, Friedl is still viewed as the table-setter for the Reds lineup. In every start, he's hit atop the batting order, but Wednesday's game against the Marlins was the first time he looked like the capable leadoff hitter the Reds need him to be.

It's still very early in the season, and there's no need for Friedl to make any wild adjustments. But if it ain't broke, don't fix it. He hit .261/.364/.378 in 2025, and that's the version of Friedl the Reds are hoping to see once again in 2026.