Under-appreciated Reds grinder finally turning the corner after slow start

TJ Friedl is currently the hottest-hitting player on the Cincinnati Reds roster, and arguably the most under-appreciated. The Reds centerfielder was held to just one hit on Sunday after three consecutive multi-hit performances, and after a forgettable start to begin the year, is leading the charge for Cincinnati's once-stalled lineup.

Friedl, just like the rest of the Reds bats, endured a slow start once the 2025 season got underway. Through the first week of the season he was hitting just .207/.258/.207, but Friedl is now hitting .296/.363/.395 and has at least one base hit in 14 of his 19 games.

Friedl's resurgence is fantastic, especially after an underwhelming 2024 campaign that was littered with injuries saw him make three separate trips to the IL and play in just 85 games. Friedl put a scare into the Reds base last weekend after he came up wincing following a tag play at second base.

Reds outfielder TJ Friedl is turning the corner after slow start in 2025

But that's the only way Friedl knows how to plays the game. No matter the situation, he certainly would make Charlie Hustle proud. Crashing into the wall, diving at every opportunity, and beating out bunt singles; those are the plays that define Friedl's career.

It's also what's forced him to make far too many trips to the IL. The diving and hustling is fun to watch, but Friedl's injury-prone nature has plagued the Reds dramatically over the last three seasons. He's only appeared in more than 85 games once (2023), and still managed to get injured twice during that season.

Reds manager Terry Francona has placed a lot of trust in Friedl as the Reds leadoff hitter—something many fans criticized him for. Friedl's history in the leadoff spot has not been overly successful (.234/.314/.371), but Francona is trusting the outfielder to be the table-setter for the trio of Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Austin Haya hitting behind him.

Friedl's electric style of play matches the hustle and aggression the Reds have played with over the last couple of years, and the fanbase absolutely love sit. If Friedl can produce another above-average season offensively, the Reds will have a potent lineup heading into the summer.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors