The Cincinnati Reds played two games today and they lost both of them. Matt McLain had another big day at the plate, as did Rece Hinds, but things just didn’t go the way of the Reds in losses to both the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon in Arizona.
Rockies at Reds: The Highlights
The day didn’t get out to a great start for Brady Singer as he began the 1st inning by giving up a single and then issuing a walk. From there, though, he locked in. He only allowed one hit over the next four frames and didn’t give up a run. Unfortunately his day would end with two outs in the 3rd when he left the game with a blister on his pitching hand. We’ve got more on that here, but he told the media that he wasn’t overly concerned and left more as a precaution.
The game was scoreless when Singer left, but the offense went to work in the bottom of the 4th and put together a big rally. Matt McLain led off with a ground-rule double. Elly De La Cruz, Tyler Stephenson, and Spencer Steer then followed with doubles of their own to make it 3-0. Steer then stole third base and took home when the throw down got away as he extended the lead to 4-0.
Colorado got one of those runs back in the next inning. Thomas Farr, who recorded the final out of the 4th, returned to the mound. He would give up a solo homer to Ryan Ritter as the Rockies cut into the lead.
The score remained there until the bottom of the 7th. A walk and two singles began the inning for the Reds and they would pick up a run on a fielders choice and then a second run on a sacrifice fly as they extended their lead to 6-1.
In the top of the 8th inning the Rockies would put together some hits and get back on the board.Chad Stevens led off the inning with a walk against Simon Miller. A double followed to put two men in scoring position. Colorado brought in a run on a sacrifice fly before grabbing another run on a single back up the middle to make it 6-3. A walk would load the bases, but Miller got a grounder to second that should have ended the inning but Francisco Urbaez made a throwing error to allow a third run in the inning. Two pitches later another error, this time a fielding one by Miller himself would bring in another run. A single into left field then brought in the tying run.
Brody Jessee entered the game out of the bullpen at that point. He proceeded to walk the first two batters he faced to bring in yet another run for Colorado. Jessee was able to end the inning with a strikeout, ending an inning that saw 11 Rockies hitters come to the plate. They would put more on the board in the 9th as they got a leadoff double from Cole Carrigg and he came around to score on a 2-out double from Bryant Betancourt later in the inning. Cincinnati went down quietly in the bottom of the 9th as the visiting team held on for the 8-6 victory.
You can see the box score for this game here.
Reds at Angels: The Highlights
Chase Burns found himself in trouble early on in this one. He walked Zach Neto to start the 1st. Mike Trout would drive him in with a single, and then he came around to score when Josh Lowe tripled to make it 2-0. Burns would retire the next five batters, but he gave up a leadoff double in the 3rd to Neto and that ended his day. Sam Moll came on and got out of the inning unscathed.
Cincinnati would get on the board in the top of the 4th inning. Sal Stewart led off the frame with a solo home run the other way. It was his 3rd home run of the spring. After the Angels got tacked on a run in the bottom of the 5th to make it 3-1 the Reds got it right back when JJ Bleday hit a 438-foot homer to lead off the 6th against former Red Brent Suter. Three batters later the game was tied up when Rece Hinds hit his 5th home run of the year – a solo shot to center that cleared the batters eye.
In the 7th inning the Reds would take the lead. Will Benson picked up a 2-out single to keep the inning alive and then he stole second base to get into scoring position. That allowed him to score when Austin Hendrick lined a single into center.
The score didn’t remain there for very long. Will Cannon ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame as he loaded the bases with one out. But Josh Lowe came to the plate with two outs and battled with Cannon for six pitches and on the last one he hit it out of the park for a go-ahead grand slam. Those would be the last runs scored in the game as Los Angeles held on for a 7-4 win.
You can see the box score for this game here.
News and Notes
Matt McLain picked up three more hits on the day, going 3-3 with a double against Colorado. He’s hitting .545 this spring with an OPS of 1.736 through 15 games played.
Rece Hinds went 2-2 with a walk and a homer in the game against the Angels. He’s now hitting .395/.452/.921 this spring through 20 games.
Connor Phillips threw a shutout 6th inning against Colorado. During the outing he threw 100.4 MPH, getting a pop up to shortstop in the process.
Sam Moll, Luis Mey, Jacob Edwards, and Stephen Quigley all threw a shutout inning of relief against the Angles. Pierce Johnson and Connor Phillips had a shutout inning in the game against Colorado.
Thursday the big league club has they day off, but the Cincinnati Reds prospects will be playing their Spring Breakout game against the San Francisco Giants prospect team. It’s a night game with first pitch scheduled at 9:05pm ET. It will be free to watch on MLB.tv and MLB.com, and it will also be on MLB Network. You can check out the roster for the Reds team here.
Besides McLain having an “out of this world” Spring an argument could be made that Hinds has had the second best of any player on the team.
Hinds, Bleday, Benson, and Myers all have 1,000+ OPS this Spring. Marte’s OPS is over 800, and Lowe’s is at .950. It’s been a great Spring for Red’s outfielders. A few players who have had an outstanding Spring won’t make the team–a pretty nice problem for the Reds.
Hinds is second only to MacLain in OPS this Spring. 1.637 – 1.399
Even if it’s not on Opening Day, Hinds has improved his standing this Spring.
Chase Burns missing location, not able to get ahead of hitters seems to be a common theme.
Unless he rectifies that in the season, he’s going to have pitch count issues from always pitching behind in the count.
He may need time in Louisville this year to sort things out, eventually.
Or maybe right away.
I meant maybe he should be sent to louisville right away.
Yea, despite having the most arm talent of the 3 vying for 2 spots, Chase has struggled mightily with his command this spring. As is, I’d be surprised if he’s able to complete 5 innings if this continues.
Five (5) ST losses in a row! Five (5) more ST games to go! Need to figure out the BP pitchers who can be counted on to hold a lead. Again, W-L record in ST is not a big concern. Looking for consistency from the SPs and getting the hitters dialed in. Glad to see Matty M is continuing his good hitting this spring. Gonna need him to complement EDLC, Suarez and others.
The big leaguers beat Colorado, it was the minor leaguers that lost. Even though I didn’t see it the big leaguers were pretty even with Angels as well even though Burns had another less than quality appearance. So it wasn’t as bad as it sounds.
It might be Lowder had moved ahead of Burnsand Williamson ahead of both for 4 and 5 starters. Not often does an MLB 5-man rotation have three lefties.
With two of them 6’6″ college teammates.
Of all the OFers competing, right now Marte is the least convincing of earning a spot on the ODR.
Actually, if all OFers were competing for a spot, Steer would have the weakest case by a wide margin.
Fair point. It’s not going great for Steer.
Not sure why Steer is considered such an offensive force on this team. A .243 lifetime hitter who has hit .238 and.225 the last two seasons with moderate power 20 and 21 Home Runs. This doesn’t exactly say All Star corner infielder or outfielder.
I don’t think Steer will get as much playing time this year as in the past.
I don’t think that he’s considered to be such an offensive force. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury for awhile, but has accounted for twenty homers a season, is an excellent first baseman, and is willing to play anywhere. Guys like that have considerable value, and if we’re dismissing players who aren’t all stars, we won’t be fielding a team.
I don’t think Marte is earning a spot. He already earned it prior to the season.
That’s potentially true, and I don’t disagree that most players come into Spring Training with their roster spot settled. Two aspects of Marte’s game lead me to believe he may not be the lock many assume him to be: (1) the quality of his OF defense, (2) his poor finish to 2025. That said, I think he makes the team.
Thank you Tom!!!!
I agree 100%. I have a much too long post below.
Yep, I’ve been impressed by Bleday and I think Marte has been pretty good, at least offensively. Dane has been better than I expected.
In 2019, Aristides Aquino had one of the best single months by a Red since Eric Davis in May of 1987. But he followed that incredible August with a September in which he struck out 31% of the time.
Despite being a solid defensive player, Aquino ultimately struggled—largely due to his 3.86 career K/BB ratio. His strong August boosted his career OPS to .719, and many felt he had earned a longer opportunity. It just never materialized.
Fast forward to 2025, and there are some clear parallels with Noelvi Marte.
Like Aquino, Marte had a standout August, posting an .865 OPS. But he followed it up with a rough September:
OPS: .502
K%: 32.7%
Outside of that August stretch, Marte’s 2025 OPS was just .687. His career OPS sits at .663, and if you remove August 2025, it drops to .629.
Even being generous, a .687 OPS is not acceptable for a player expected to hold a starting role on a team with legitimate division aspirations.
For additional context, look at how teams handle similar profiles:
Last year, Pete Crow-Armstrong began getting platooned due in part to a 5.72 K/BB ratio in the second half. Despite elite defense, that level of swing-and-miss forced a reduced role—and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that continue into 2026.
Comparison
Pete Crow-Armstrong
2nd half K/BB: 5.72
2nd half OPS: .634
2025 OPS: .768
Career OPS: .722
Elite defense
Result: Platooned in 2025 and likely again in 2026
Aristides Aquino
Career K/BB: 3.86
Career OPS: .719
Solid defense
Result: Never secured a full-time role
Noelvi Marte
2025 K/BB: 5.31
Career K/BB: 5.73
2025 OPS: .748
Career OPS: .694
Below-average defense
When you look at those comparisons, it’s hard to justify the idea that Marte has an everyday role “locked in.” If anything, the profile suggests a player who should be fighting for at-bats, not guaranteed them.
Marte may still develop into a productive player, but based on the current profile, he hasn’t earned a guaranteed role. On a team trying to win the division, playing time should be based on performance—not potential.
If players with better production and/or elite defense are getting platooned or limited roles, why should Marte be treated differently? Right now, the numbers suggest he should be competing for at-bats—not being handed them and his 13/1 K/BB ratio this spring is doing him no favors.
Agreed.
Yea, Marte’ for now, hasn’t moved beyond the “shows flashes” phase. 100% agree with your take on his leash not being long. The additions of Bleday & Myers, along with Benson & now Hinds seemingly poised for growth, puts pressure on Marte’s starting role right from the start. If he’s not hitting & one of the others is tearing up AAA, a change can be made pretty early on. I hate to admit, & I certainly hope I’m wrong, but Marte’s body language is kinda that of a classic underachiever. Top 5 ML prospect who lacks plate discipline & continues to think he can just overwhelm MLB with his potential.
From what I have been told by people who see him on a day to day basis this is spot on. He does not appear to be willing to put forth the effort necessary to meet his potential, especially defensively where someone who starts off as a SS should be able to handle 3B or RF.
Steer has not been very good, at least offensively but he was that way at the start of last year too. I hope he’s OK physically because he seems to come on later in the year.
He didn’t even log a handful of plate appearances last Spring because he was injured–certainly that led to his slow start last season. He’s an established vet. Unless the Reds see notable signs that his skills have deteriorated, his ST numbers should be ignored.
Luis Mey has been optioned to Louisville. Maxwell and Moll appear to be the last two under consideration for the final bullpen slot.
https://x.com/Reds/status/2034408291434938470
I’m sticking with Moll getting the last spot. And Lowe. Though based on spring appearances, I’d keep Hinds and Bleday either over Lowe. Lowe has handedness in his favor.
I agree. I think Lowe and Moll will make the Opening Day roster. ST stats for many reasons are typically not the best reason to pick one player over another. I’m a little surprised they seem to have picked Benson over Bleday, but there are pros and cons for either player. As state previously, it’s good when lots of players have had the kind of Spring that makes us feel good about having them on the team.
I would send Steer to Louisville to work out his slow start in AAA. Hinds give the Reds so much better fielding and power.
Hinds is impressive, and it could certainly be said that he’s earned a spot, but his power has not been demonstrated over a significant period of time at the MLB level (not entirely his fault, I realize), and his defense is good, but limited to the outfield, as far as I know. Steer plays both infield and outfield–4 or 5 positions–which could have considerable value in the nearly assured event of injuries.
Hinds was converted from 3B to OF at class A+ or AA in his minor league career. Last season, while called up to MLB, he did some work at 1B on the side but didn’t make any game appearances there in either MLB or back down at AAA.
I do not know if he had defensive issues at 3B or whether someone decided corner infield was a waste of his legs and arm.
Hinds was drafted as a short stop but was almost immediately switched to 3B. His play at third warranted his move to the OF, where his athleticism and big arm would play well.
Doug wrote about it way back when:
“He’s had some struggles defensively at third base in the minors, posting an .890 fielding percentage there with 11 errors in just 43 games played.”
https://www.redsminorleagues.com/2022/02/22/cincinnati-reds-consider-moving-rece-hinds-to-the-outfield/
Didn’t know that. Thanks Jim and Dave. More evidence that every MLB player was a shortstop at some point.
Maybe Steer goes On the disabled list to get his shoulder squared away
Where’s the credible report that Steer has a shoulder problem?
A tough decision.
I suspect Benson made the team for sure because he’s out of options.
Yes Steer of the lot has the lowest ST numbers, but he’s a proven article…20+HRs, 80-90 RBIs, versatile position-wise, and a smart player. I don’t think we’re witnessing a regression just yet.
I’d like to be able to keep Lowe, but he’s a first baseman, and we have two of those already…so I’m not sure how you squeeze him in.
Seems like Bleday and Meyers have met expectations….they traded for them, not sure you option them, though they have options.
Under different conditions, Hinds makes the team. The fact he has options left, probably sends him to AAA…unless it’s Marte that gets sent down.
I think Marte still needs some work…he has flashes of brilliance, but can’t yet own it. He’s still prone to rookie mistakes too.
Send any of these guys down and it’s got to deflate them. Send Lowe down and he’s probably gone.
Except that Benson is not out of options. I expect that Benson made the team because he has worked hard and has proven to be the best OF on the team vs. RHP.
Never have heard if Steer’s shoulder is healthy or not which is key going forward if Sal Stewart is the starting at first this year.Steer’s ability to play multiple positions is valuable only if he can throw because he is at best average on offense so where does he play if he can’t throw.Reds will figure it out but lets be real the infield is set and lets go further Friedl is no longer a good fit in center field and fits better in left going forward.As mentioned a bunch of outfielders have had good springs including the two players Krall signed in Bedlay and Myers not to mention Benson who has been told he makes the team.Throw in what Hinds has done and well you have depth for sure and hefor that reason how can you ignore what some players have done,good or bad in the spring.Obviously the Reds saw what Benson has done so why not others.I like Steer and I am not throwing his under the bus but again where does he play other then first if he can’t throw?
Steer said a couple of weeks back that his shoulder was fine. If I recall, he used the word “healthy” somewhere in his statement. However, also consider that last year he said his shoulder injury was a chronic issue that dated all the way back to his high school days, and that it had flared up much more than usual in the last half of 2024 and again last spring (2025).
The record says that in 2023, Steer had a 118 OPS+, but in 2024, he dropped off to a 96 OPS+ and followed up with a 94 OPS+ in 2025.
Given the way almost all the other position players have come out of the chute smoking on offense, a person has to wonder if, like Hunter Greene, Steer experienced trouble with his prior issue once he started serious preparation for 2026.