Spencer Steer offers Reds a tempting lineup change they must resist (for now)

Spencer Steer has been one of the Cincinnati Reds hottest hitters for the better part of a month. Since April 22, he's hitting .316/.380/.459 with five doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, a 134 wRC+, and he's striking out just 12% of the time.

Steer recently spoke to Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith about the subtle changes that he's made to his approach this season and said, "I’m giving myself a chance every pitch."

He certainly is. Steer has always had a solid approach at the plate, and even amid his early-season struggles in 2025, many pundits and outsiders constantly marveled at his swing. He's been the model of consistency this season, and one has to wonder if Reds manager Terry Francona will consider slotting him atop the team's batting order.

Should Spencer Steer be the Reds leadoff hitter?

The Reds' leadoff hitters have faltered this season. Until recently, TJ Friedl was Francona's go-to choice atop the lineup card. Friedl's struggles, however, forced the Reds' skipper to move the centerfielder down several spots, and his past two starts have seen hitting near the bottom of the batting order.

Matt McLain has taken over leadoff duties of late, and he can't seem to find his footing either. He posted a .273/.360/.545 slash line after Tito bumped him down in the order at the beginning of May, but has gone 1-for-14 (.071) since he was moved back to the top of the lineup.

Steer's had some experience in the leadoff spot, but not much. He's been the first batter in the Reds' lineup eight times throughout his career, but only once since Francona took over as the team's manager last season. He certainly had some success as the Reds' leadoff hitter, going 11-for-27 (.407) with three home runs, 10 RBI, six walks, six strikeouts, and a .515 on-base percentage.

With numbers like that, you'd think Francona would be tripping over himself as he scrambles to write Steer's name atop the lineup card. But eight games is an extremely small sample size, and given how well he's performed in the heart of the lineup, you'd hate to mess with a good thing.

That said, if Friedl isn't the answer and McLain fails to pick up the pace, Francona may be forced to shake things up once again. With Eugenio Suárez returning to the lineup soon, the Reds' lineup could change dramatically, and Steer could be the catalyst.

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