Reds are wasting Rece Hinds while pretending there’s a plan

Just as they were for much of 2024 and through the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds are in need of outfield help. TJ Friedl’s injury, even if it doesn’t cost him major playing time, has caused a roster shakeup. Unfortunately, Cincinnati continues to overlook its most valuable asset: Rece Hinds. Sure, Hinds has struck out in half of his at-bats in the majors this season, but how can he be expected to develop any sort of eye from a spot on the bench? 

The Reds have opted to split right field (and now center) between Will Benson, Hinds, and the recently acquired Connor Joe. While none is an ideal fit for a team that had hopes of contention, Hinds has the loudest bat. For a Cincinnati squad that has scored more than four runs just once in its past 10 games, Hinds is the high risk, high reward option that could pay off.

The Reds should take a risk and give Rece Hinds more playing time

Hinds is a feast or famine kind of player. He had more multi-strikeout games than not last year. He exploded onto the scene in his MLB debut and then crashed just as hard. Over 10 games at Triple-A this April, he struck out 16 times in 39 at-bats. He then went on a seven game tear, blasting four homers and striking out just five times in 30 at-bats. This streak earned him his latest call-up.

All Hinds needs is to get a hold of a ball. He has elite bat speed, exit velocity, and barrel rate. He has big pop in big moments. What he hasn’t had is consistent playing time.

Instead, the Reds picked up Joe, a light-hitting veteran who was stuck in the San Diego Padres’ farm system. Joe isn’t a bad acquisition. He’s two years removed from a decent campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he does what Hinds can’t: avoid chasing the ball. But Joe is taking playing time away from two promising players in make-or-break years.

Hinds — and his left-handed counterpart Benson — need 2025. They need to show that they are more than just raw talent. They need to prove that they can hang at the big-league level. If they can’t, the Reds need to look for ways to move on. But none of those things can happen if Hinds isn’t given the opportunity to play.

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