The bench battle:
The Reds have three bench spots to fill, with Jose Trevino claiming the fourth. Here are seven candidates for three spots…..
Dane Meyers
Blake Dunn
Nathaniel Lowe, LHB
Will Benson, LHB
J.J. Bleday, LHB
Rece Hinds
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
TJ Friedl's backup in CF: Dane Meyers or Blake Dunn?
Both are RH bats. Myers has hit LHP well, .297 in 182 MLB AB. Dunn was a different hitter in the second half at Louisville last year, hitting .341 with a .436 OBP, and .291/.397, overall. He’s hit just .151 in 86 ML AB, w/ 36 K. He's impressed this camp, but is currently bothered by a tweaked knee.
Nathaniel Lowe:
With five ML seasons of at least 16 HR, he offers bench power no other candidate provides. His career OPS+ is higher than any current Red.
Will Benson:
The Reds were 34-27 when he started in ‘25. He hit the ball harder than any Red last season. He was extremely unlucky w/ a .255 batting average on balls in play (ML average .291). But ultimately hit just .226 in '25, and is a career .224 hitter in over 1,000 trips to the plate.
J.J. Bleday
Signed to a 1-year, $1.4M deal. 2024: 40 doubles, 20 HR. OPS +120......2025: .212, OPS+ 92, sent to AAA twice, DFA'd. Lifetime .215 in over 1,500 ML plate appearances.
Rece Hinds:
Had his best minor league in 2025: .302-.356-.536-.922, 24 HR, 21 SB. Last season, 21 K in 43 AB, hitting .116 with Reds. Impressive camp, so far.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand:
CES hasn’t been able to stay healthy after hitting 13 HR/.805 OPS in 63 games as a rookie. Since then, he’s hit just .199 in 246 MLB at-bats since.
Who are your three selections?
Options:
Only Nathaniel Lowe does not have a minor league option, to be sent to Louisville.