Santiago Espinal is giving Reds fans flashbacks to a beloved fan favorite

If you’ve followed the Cincinnati Reds over the past few seasons, you know that this fanbase loves a scrappy, hard-nosed ballplayer who does all the little things right. Someone who clocks in, puts his head down, and simply helps the team win baseball games. It’s why fans once rallied behind Kyle Farmer, a player who became the heart of the infield with his leadership and team-first mentality. Fast forward to 2025, and Cincinnati may have found their next blue-collar type player in Santiago Espinal.

Acquired in March 2024 from the Toronto Blue Jays, Espinal didn’t arrive with a ton of fanfare. He’s not a headline name. He wasn’t brought in to sell tickets and was at best, viewed as roster depth. But much like Farmer before him, Espinal has quickly shown he’s much more than a placeholder. He's demonstrated the type of versatility managers dream about. Whether it’s at second base, shortstop, third base, or even an emergency outfield spot, he has handled it all with ease. 

Santiago Espinal is quietly becoming Cincinnati’s newest fan favorite

Espinal’s rise is eerily reminiscent of the Kyle Farmer saga just a few years ago. Farmer, too, was a utility man who won over the clubhouse and the fanbase with his reliability. But that era wasn’t without its controversy.

Back in 2022, Reds brass opted to hand the shortstop reins to José Barrero — once a top prospect. They pushed Farmer to third base despite his steady production. Fans did not hold back their criticism of the move, and for good reason. Barrero struggled mightily, batting just .152 with an alarming 43% strikeout rate. Farmer, meanwhile, had been a rock at shortstop, slashing .263 with 16 home runs the year before.

Management stuck to their “development first” approach, hoping Barrero would turn a corner. He didn’t. Barrero’s struggles eventually led to his demotion, and Farmer’s value as a fan favorite and team leader was fully validated.

While Espinal shares that same “do-everything” skill set, he’s carving his own identity — not as a fallback option, but as a player the fans already trust in big moments. His bat may not wow you with power, but his knack for the clutch hit, his defensive reliability, and his positional flexibility make him indispensable at this point. He’s proving that you don’t need to be a star on the marquee to become a star in the hearts of Reds fans.

Cincinnati loves players who show up, do the job, and wear the city’s personality on their sleeve. Farmer filled that role when we put on the Red’s uniform. Today, Espinal is doing the same.

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