The Reds have spent most of this season trying to find any kind of offensive rhythm, and for a long stretch, it just wasn’t there. Cincinnati sits 29th in batting average at .229, 28th in on-base percentage at .308, 20th in slugging percentage at .398, 23rd in OPS at .706 and 24th in runs scored with 593. The one area that has stood out is the power column: the club’s 191 homers rank fourth in MLB, a sharp jump from 21st with 167 last year.
But the tone around the lineup has changed lately. Since August 22, the Reds have gone fifth in batting average at .271, seventh in on-base percentage at .339, second in slugging percentage at .487, second in homers with 26, third in OPS at .826 and eighth in runs scored with 70. That date lines up with a key moment: Héctor Rodríguez’s first career MLB home run.
Rodríguez’s start in the majors was rough. After being called up on August 4, the 22-year-old managed just a .118/.189/.147 line across his first 12 games. For a minute, it looked like he might be headed down the same road as Edwin Arroyo, crushing it at Louisville before struggling under big-league pressure.
Then came the homer on August 22, and everything shifted. Since that swing, Rodríguez has hit .333/.396/.688. That kind of run won’t last forever, and pitchers will adjust, but there are clear reasons he looks like a real piece for the Reds going forward.
His swing is a big part of it. It’s quick, averaging 74.4 mph, but it stays compact. Terry Francona has singled out the way Rodríguez gets his hands to the ball.
“When he swings at strikes you see what he can do. His hands are extraordinary,” the veteran manager said.
That combination of aggression and efficiency gives Rodríguez a chance to hit for average and power. He’s not just selling out for damage; the bat path and quick hands help him keep the ball on the screws.
There’s also the work he’s doing before he ever steps in the box. Rodríguez told Charlie Goldsmith that he has begun visualizing his at-bats in advance, saying, “It’s concentration and choosing the pitches I want to hit, and making sure I make good contact.” That kind of preparation is part of why he looks more polished than a typical young hitter.
Put Rodríguez alongside Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart, and Cincinnati suddenly has the makings of a real offensive core. That’s a strong foundation, but it’s not enough on its own.
The Reds still have more work ahead of them this offseason. Tyler Stephenson is one piece they need to keep, given how valuable his bat is at a position where offense is hard to find and how underrated his defense is. He should be available at a reasonable price, and Cincinnati needs to bring him back.
There’s also Eugenio Suárez. His season hasn’t gone the way anyone expected, but since August 1 he’s hit .242/.373/.526, which looks a lot more like the version of Suárez the Reds know.
Even that wouldn’t solve everything. Cincinnati still has to figure out second base, because another weak spot in the lineup isn’t an option with Ke’Bryan Hayes at third. The club also needs Carlos Jorge to become a productive outfield piece alongside Dane Myers and JJ Bleday.
If all of that comes together, the Reds could finally have the kind of offense they’ve been chasing. And Héctor Rodríguez looks like a major reason that possibility exists.
In Other News...
Reds Just Sent Edwin Arroyo A Tough Message Before Dodgers Series
The Reds got a bit healthier in the infield ahead of a big series, activating KeBryan Hayes from the 10-day injured list and sending Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville. It is the kind of roster move that says as much about performance as it does about health, and for Arroyo it comes after a rough stretch in the majors that never quite found a rhythm.
Arroyo went 1-for-18 with seven strikeouts in six games, a difficult line for any young player trying to hold onto a spot. With fellow rookie Juan Brito having outperformed him and settled into that role, Arroyo now heads back to Louisville with the Reds making a clear short-term choice as they prepare for the Dodgers. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Just Added Outfield Insurance For A Stretch Run Concern
The Reds have added a little more outfield depth for the final weeks of the season, signing veteran Dominic Fletcher to a minor league deal. Fletcher last appeared in the majors in 2025 and comes to Cincinnati after using a release clause to leave Triple-A with the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving the organization another experienced option to stash in the system as it looks to protect itself against late-season roster wear.
It is the kind of move that rarely grabs headlines, but it matters for a club trying to stay nimble with the schedule tightening up. Cincinnati has gotten plenty of impact from Elly De La Cruz, who continues to rate among the Reds best position players and one of the top shortstops in the league, so the front office can afford to keep building the margins around the roster while the stretch run sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Fans Have A New Ownership Rumor To Watch
The recent sale of the Los Angeles Angels has stirred up a familiar kind of chatter around baseball, and now the Reds have been pulled into it. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, rival owners believe Cincinnati could be the next club to change hands, a notable bit of speculation for a franchise whose current direction has long been a source of fan frustration under the Castellini family.
For now, there is no official indication the Reds are actually on the market, which is what makes the rumor worth watching rather than treating it as fact. Still, any mention of a possible sale lands with some weight in Cincinnati, where executives have faced plenty of scrutiny and the question of ownership has become part of the larger conversation about where the organization is headed next. [Read more 🡒]