This Reds slugger has the most to gain (but also the most to lose) in spring training

Sometimes there are prospects that scouts refer to as boom or bust. Typically, these players have undeniable raw tools that causes most fans to watch in awe with their mouths agape. However, these types of players also have a particular foible (or two) that could torpedo their entire career.

That's what the Cincinnati Reds have in Rece Hinds. The slugger burst onto the scene last year, and for about a week-plus, he was all anyone in Reds Country wanted to talk about. But soon after his electric debut, Hinds fell out of favor and was shipped back to Triple-A Louisville for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Hinds has a problem — a big one. He strikes out way too much. This has been an issue for Hinds since his professional debut, and while he's made strides, he still struck out 31.4% of the time during his 24-game stint in the big leagues. Moreover, his 37.9% K-rate in the minors was even worse.

Reds slugger Rece Hinds has the most to gain (but also the most to lose) in spring training

When the Reds descend upon Goodyear, Arizona in a few weeks, Hinds will be the one player with the most to gain, but also the most to lose. Why? Because he has the raw talent to be that key cog in the middle of the batting order that Reds fans have been screaming about for years. When Hinds connects, there's a good chance the ball is leaving the yard. He has that "light-tower power" that scouts talk about.

Hinds' tools also allow him to be an above-average outfielder. The 24-year-old has the speed to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, and the arm strength to gun down almost any runner trying to turn a single into a double.

But it all comes back to the gigantic hole in Hinds' swing. If he can't fix that, then his major league dreams will go up in smoke. Even with the type of power that Hinds possesses, he has to get that strikeout rate down to somewhere in the neighborhood of 25%. Hinds doesn't draw a ton of walks, but anywhere in the 7-8% range should be fine if he makes consistent contact.

Spring training will be oh so important for Hinds, and perhaps new hitting Chris Valaika can help to calm Hinds' swing. With the Reds laying dormant in free agency, Cincinnati has yet to shore up the outfield picture. If Hinds goes on a tear during Cactus League play, and the coaching staff sees a significant decrease in his strikeouts, Hinds could crack the Reds Opening Day roster.

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