I'll admit it, I'm intrigued by Rece Hinds.
He dazzled in a brief 2024 stint with the Cincinnati Reds, going 11 for 22 with 5 HR and capturing NL Player of the Week honors. But he went 1 for his next 16 and was sent back to Triple-A. Recalled in late August, he got just 11 plate appearances the rest of the season (0 for 8).
Then, he bombed over three brief ML stints in 2025, with 21 K in 43 AB.
It seemed like the Reds made up their mind on him.
But he changed his swing/approach last season Louisville Bats. He produced his best season: .302-.359-.563-.922 with 24 HR, 83 RBI, 21 SB. He cut his K rate to 25.9%. His career minor league rate had been 33%. He was an All-Star and team MVP.
He tore it up in Goodyear, this spring: .410-.465-.949-1.414, 5 HR, 11 RBI, in 39 AB with 4 BB and 13 K.
But he didn't make the team because the Reds didn't have a starting spot for him. They want him to play everyday at Louisville, not be a bench player getting infrequent at-bats in Cincinnati.
So far at Louisville, he's belted 3 HR with 12 RBI, hitting .526 in 19 AB for the Bats.
Should the Reds reconsider his status?
Honestly, he got jerked around at the ML level in 2024 and 2025. He's been given a grand total of just 95 major league plate appearances.
He's still just 25. He's athletic. He's got power and speed.
He can play all three outfield spots. Since adjusting his approach, he's hit and hit and hit.
What move would the Reds make to create regular playing time for Hinds? They'd have to send someone like Will Benson or Noelvi Marte down. Or, perhaps place TJ Friedl on the IL?
Thoughts?