Spencer Steer aims to fill the biggest void on this Reds team (not the outfield)

Spencer Steer is entering his just his third major league season, but the 27-year-old is ready to take on the role of team-leader. Steer spoke with WCPO9 earlier this week, and one of the topics that came up during the conversation was in regards to leadership.

"In terms of leadership, I feel like I'm at a point where I can lead by example," Steer said. "I can maybe be a guy that some of the younger guys in camp see, you know, getting here early, working my butt off, whether I'm hitting on the field or it's base running reads. Doing everything the right way. I think I can find a way to lead by example in that way."

Joey Votto has been gone for over a year, Luke Maile and Jonathan India now play for the Kansas City Royals, and most of the Cincinnati Reds' would-be stars aren't even 25 years old, so it's safe to say that the overall leadership in the clubhouse is lacking.

The Reds may have found their team leader in Spencer Steer

Sure, players like Tyler Stephenson and Jeimer Candelario could be tabbed for that type of role, and maybe even a veteran like Brent Suter could fill the void. But the Reds need one of their younger players to step up and take on the role of team-leader in 2025. That's where Steer comes in.

Steer is an everyday player; be it at first base, second base, left field, or DH, the former Minnesota Twins farmhand will be in Terry Francona's lineup on a regular basis. During his interview with WCPO9, Steer spoke about his determination to play every day.

"I think my role is (to) fill in the gaps," Steer said. "I feel like I can be a guy where you can put me at one spot one game, and I'll end up in left field in the same game. I take pride in being available to play multiple positions."

Spencer Steer prides himself by being in the Reds lineup every day

"I've been pretty vocal about it from the start," Steer continued. "I want to play every day. I want to be available to play every day. So, I don't want to get stuck in one spot. I feel like there's more opportunity for me to be in the lineup every night if I can play multiple positions, and that's what I enjoy doing."

For now, Steer has been limited to just acting as the Reds' DH. He dealt with a shoulder injury last season that lingered into the offseason, and has slowed his progression this spring. Steer is on track to begin a throwing program later this spring, but it's taken him out of the position battle at third base. Reds fans should look for Steer to lineup at DH early in the season, but as he builds up his shoulder strength, Steer could once again be deployed all over the diamond.

That willingness to play more than just one position also enhances Steer's leadership quality. It displays a "team-first" mentality that can be infectious. Steer is also the team punching bag in the locker room, oftentimes finding himself as the butt of every joke. But it's an endearing quality that no doubt elevates him in the eyes of his teammates.

Hiring Francona gave the Reds one of the best leaders in the game, but Cincinnati still needs a voice on the field and in the clubhouse. Steer sounds as if he's up to the task.

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