Chase Burns is officially the Reds stopper. The right-handed starter struck out nine batters and gave up just one run in six innings as he moved to 6-1 on the year after he got enough support from the Cincinnati offense in a 4-1 win that evened up the series with the Phillies in Philadelphia.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (25-24) | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Phillies (25-24) | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| W: Burns (6-1) L: Luzardo (3-4) SV: Santillan (2) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Cincinnati would get the first two batters on base in the 3rd inning as they mounted their first threat of the game, but Jesus Luzardo got Ke’Bryan Hayes to ground into double play on the first pitch he threw him and then got Matt McLain to ground out to end the top of the inning. In the bottom of the inning the Phillies only got one hit but it was a solo home run from Trea Turner to put Philadelphia up 1-0.
Elly De La Cruz led off the 4th inning with a fly ball into left-center and Justin Crawford had it hit off of his glove as he reached out for it on the run and it trickled past him and De La Cruz wound up on third base with a triple. Spencer Steer picked up an infield single with the infield drawn in as no one covered first base, but De La Cruz had to stay at third. A walk to Sal Stewart followed to load the bases. Dany Myers and JJ Bleday both came through with back-to-back sacrifice flies to put two runs on the board and give the Reds a 2-1 lead.
After giving up a home run to Turner in the 3rd inning Chase Burns locked in, striking out six of the next seven batters he saw, with the final one ending the 5th inning on an overturned call initiated by Tyler Stephenson. When he came out in the 6th inning Burns retired the side in order but he didn’t have a strikeout and the inning ended when Bryce Harper lined a ball off of the posterior of Burns, who was able to recover and field the ball for the final out.
Cincinnati would get a leadoff double from JJ Bleday in the top of the 7th that was followed up by a single and a walk to load the bases. That brought Ke’Bryan Hayes to the plate, who had grounded into two double plays in the game already. This time he simply grounded into a force out that erased the lead runner. Matt McLain came up and made soft contact on a checked swing, and Bryce Harper fielded the grounder and came up firing to the plate, but Blake Dunn beat the throw by about an inch and after the Reds challenged the on-field call he was ruled safe to make it 3-1 and keep the bases loaded. Elly De La Cruz then drew a walk to bring in another run.
The Reds turned the game over to their bullpen for the bottom of the 7th inning and brought in Pierce Johnson. After walking Alec Bohm, Johnson struck out Brandon Marsh. Then he got some help from his defense when Matt McLain made a sensational diving catch on a line drive up the middle for the second out of the inning. A strikeout followed to end the frame as he held onto the 3-run lead.
Sam Moll took over for the 8th inning and was able to get a 1-2-3 inning on 15 pitches to send the game to the 9th. Cincinnati wouldn’t score in their half of the inning and then sent Tony Santillan to the mound for the bottom of the frame. He would get Trea Turner to fly out in foul territory on a nice catch by Blake Dunn on the first pitch he threw. Bryce Harper would then strikeout swinging through a 96 MPH fastball. Santillan came back with another strikeout, but once again it came with the help of a Tyler Stephenson challenge that got the call overturned to end the game and even up the series.
Key Moment of the Game
Blake Dunn scoring the 3rd run of the game for Cincinnati in the 7th inning. The call on the field was that he was out, but the Reds challenged the call and it was overturned. That run was followed up with a bases loaded walk to give the bullpen just a little more breathing room.
Notes Worth Noting
Chase Burns lowered his ERA to 1.83 on the year. In his 10 starts he’s thrown 59.0 innings and given up just 38 hits, has 18 walks, and he now has 64 strikeouts. Batters are hitting just .183 against him at this point in the season.
Blake Dunn was the only Reds hitter with multiple hits. He went 2-4. He’s only had 23 at-bats since his call up but he’s taken advantage of his opportunities and is hitting .348/.423/.522 and he’s been making an impact on the bases and in the field.
Let’s go streaking! No, not like that. Spencer Steer extended his hit streak to 10 games. Elly De La Cruz extended his on-base streak to 12 games. Sal Stewart extended his on-base streak to 15 games.
Matt McLain’s diving catch in the 7th inning only had a 5% catch probability according to Statcast.
With two groundball double plays, Ke’Bryan Hayes now has as many of those on the season – five – as he has runs batted in.
Jim Day reported that Rhett Lowder threw a bullpen session earlier on Tuesday and that it went well.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies
Wednesday May 20th, 1:05pm ET
Andrew Abbott (3-2, 4.21 ERA) vs Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.91 ERA)
There should be a flashing sign on 75 North and 75 South, saying “Breaking News” “Reds bullpen holds up–Can You Believe It!” “Reds Win”
Burke, Moll, GA, Johnson, and Tony are solid enough, but 2 problems remain with the pen the way I see it.
1. The other guys in the pen stink and the core 5 have to be used every time they’re in a game because they never blow anyone out
2. None of these guys are closers and the 9th is just different
Not sure Antone stinks but they are easing him back into full duty status.
K Hayes is really killing the Reds with his bat. Is his glove that good at 3rd base, that causes the Reds to overlook his huge issues and problems with his bat???
Answer: No!!!
Been hearing this for quite some time and with good reason.
But, we can’t bring up Edwin Arroyo and ask him to play third, because, he would be worse. We can’t expect any help from anyone at AAA level.
That’s what I was told earlier today on this here very web blog.
Need Suarez back. Actually lots of options at 3rd base with Suarez, Stewart, and Steer, in that order. Don’t need Arroyo yet.
Hayes would be better to just not swing at all and either walk or strikeout. All he does is hit into double plays
Either that or just hit every strike pitch foul and take your walks.
Hayes could practice bunting a lot. Bunt whenever there are people on base. Just like a pitcher.
But wait, isn’t he a professional baseball player?
Jeff Morris, you are spot on! KBH should be released, traded or only see the field for defense. He is playing more because of Geno injury. Maybe Geno is close to returning and that is why they have not called up Arroyo? Dougs comment about Blake Dunn is spot on as well. He has done a great job and seems to provide a spark.
Our BP has a huge problem with walks.
Burns is not only a stopper, he is our ACE!
What are the odds Dunn is not in the lineup today?
The Reds win, the bullpen did well, and the comments section for the game article were entertaining. Today was a good day!
EDLC and Burns should be considered for the NL All Star team as things stand right now.
Can’t argue with that.
“With two groundball double plays, Ke’Bryan Hayes now has as many of those on the season – five – as he has runs batted in.”
Ouch!!! Hinds was terrible for the most part when called up, off the team and still has as many ribeyes as Hayes. lol
Hinds PA = 36
Hayes PA = 131
Wow! I knew it was bad but not that bad. Something has to give soon.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/trevijo01.shtml this fellow has 4 hits all season. One 2B. No HR. Pretty good late inning reliever in blowouts.
-6 OPS+. Yes, -6.
Our bullpen will continue to suffer until he returns. 😉
LOL. Yep indeed.
He IS a good C regardless of his hitting stats. And he’s been injured twice.
Trevino is simply not very good.
Hard to believe there were people on RLN this winter calling for the Reds to trade away Stephenson and install Trevino as the starting catcher. Woof.
“Jim Day reported that Rhett Lowder threw a bullpen session earlier on Tuesday and that it went well.”
Good news.
Mr. Melvin, sir….what happens if Lowder is activated soon (?) ?
Is he a reliever, long reliever, a starter? Who goes if he starts? Paddack, Singer, a pitcher to be named later? I guess I answered my own question, as Paddack is pretty marginal, at best.
I mean, Brady Singer has just about been Cy Young out there. I mean, Cy Young has been dead for a long time.
I don’t know David but Lowder will start. You can just about bank on it. Injuries pop up all the time so you never know. I just hope Burns will be okay after getting hit. He said he would be.
I will say Paddack didn’t look too bad. Good enough to keep at least a little longer probably.
No question Singer is off to a rough start. But we should not diminish his career performance and what he did in 2025 for this team. His resume says he is out there every 5th day and throwing 175 innings a year at a 4+ ERA. With the young arms we have, their repeated injury stints, and probable innings limits for Lowder and Burns, we need a reliable 5th/6th starter and we have that. Come on, give the guy a little more rope than mid May before declaring his career is over.
As far as Mr. Paddack, he made 1 frickin start where he was OK. Worthy of another start. But 5 innings with 2 runs is not a long term job. He was picked up on waivers with how many losing teams saying no thanks. Rockies, Giants, Mets, Nats, Marlins, andPhillies concluding their #5 guy was better. His career stats are not terrible and DJ may help him find something. But I would say that is a minimum of 4-5 starts away before any crowning occurs. Barring injury or 7 shutout innings, I would guess it is almost certain that Paddack or Franco would get the exit slip. Must confess though that I do not know if Paddack has any minor league options left, and they work in his favor vs Franco.
“Blake Dunn was the only Reds hitter with multiple hits. He went 2-4. He’s only had 23 at-bats since his call up but he’s taken advantage of his opportunities and is hitting .348/.423/.522 and he’s been making an impact on the bases and in the field.”
Power or no power I’d say he needs to play more.
A bit off topic. Bill Cunningham (WLW 700 and former XU INF in 1960s) noticed this.
The Reds have $43 million worth of payroll on the IL. Greene, Suarez, Trevino, Pagan, and Ferguson.
Ouch! That is a killer for a team like the Reds.
Correct. And about 3 of those guys were counted on in big ways. Greene – #1 Starter, Geno – 40 HR power to an anemic offense, and Pagan – Closer. Greene really being the only one with a checkered injury history. The others being misfortune or happenstance. To your point, that is very hard on a team like the Reds. But there are also multiple examples of other lean teams overcoming similar with shrewd acquisitions. Maybe the Brewers last year?
But even more difficult for a GM who has a strong reluctance to trade away his better prospects to improve the current team.
And don’t forget the Reds are still paying Jeimer Candalario $15 Million this year.
Es Pravda!
“Chase Burns lowered his ERA to 1.83 on the year. In his 10 starts he’s thrown 59.0 innings and given up just 38 hits, has 18 walks, and he now has 64 strikeouts. Batters are hitting just .183 against him at this point in the season.”
Throwing like a true “ACE”?
Superb. Right up there with the best in the league ….Skenes, Ohtani, Wheeler, Yamamoto, etc. Maybe the best we have had since Johnny Cueto in the mid 2010s.
Burns is must see TV now. I said a few times now but I like Dunn swing and the way he’s hitting, he should play way more than Benson. IMO thr most important hit of the day is Bleday double. We need his bat. He went cold thr last couple of games.
Great pitching. However 2-9 RISP. Still missing that clutch hit.
Chase Burns, ACE.
Great job Burns. Season’s end trade Hunter. Chase is definite ace Material. Just go ahead and trade Hunter before season’s end. Get a head start on ‘27 or ‘28.
Get a head start on 2027 or 2028 by trading one of the best pitchers in baseball? That does not seem like a plan that has worked for a lot of teams in the past.
Last time they traded Luis Castillo. Neither prospect is in the majors yet many years later. All he wanted was $20M a year and he’d have been an ace all these years. Instead wasted money on Hayes, Candy, Moose, Suarez, etc
i’m not sure if you can have a worse offensive game than Hayes did tonight. 2 GIDP, fielders choice with bases loaded, a botched hit-and-run because he missed the sign. To allow him to swing away instead of bunting the runners into scoring position is on the manager.
Fair to say he caused 7 outs in just 4 at- bats.
Jaimer Candelario was released last year after 92 ABs and a OPS+ of 12. Hayes has ~25 more ABs with an OPS+ of 20. Not releasing him at this point is nothing but prideful defiance by the front office. It’s indefensible.
How do you sit Lowe and keep Marte down so you can keep playing KBH? Its crazy. Geno too.
If you go strictly by offensive numbers, Trevino has to go, too. He has -6 OPS+ and only 4 hits all season (one of them 2B with the rest singles).
Hayes should be bunting much more often. I wonder if he is even working on it.
Agreed, when Hayes comes up with runners in scoring position, he should bunt. The worst thing that could happen is the runners don’t advance. A double play would be unlikely.
Actually, Hayes should not be starting.
I am sure that Ke’Bryan Hayes is a good guy and all of that but he simply is not playing well enough to keep playing on any kind of regular basis. At best he needs to be moved to the bench in a defense only role.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/fielding_perc_3b_career.shtml career leaders in highest fielding % as 3B. Not this year only. Not active only. EVER.
I’ve watched him play, and indeed Ke’Bryan Hayes is a really slick fielding 3rd baseman. If only he could hit.
If only.
I went through the 24 guys pictured and unless I missed something NONE of those guys came remotely close to hitting as bad as Hayes.
I submit there probably are are/were a lot of other guys who could play really good defense but you don’t know about them because they couldn’t hit and didn’t play.
Hayes has a career BA of .245 (not great but not bad). He is in a slump this year.
Hayes is not in a slump just this year. He was terrible offensively the last two years also.
A season long BA in the mid 100 range is a slump.
His 2024 and 2025 seasons were almost 100 points higher BA.
He’s a terrible hitter this year. He was also a terrible hitter in 2024 and 2025. That’s not a slump, it’s a pattern.
I 100% agree!
Sparky Anderson moved Rose from right field to third base, so he could get rid of a great defensive third baseman who couldn’t hit.
Let me know when the Reds have Pete Rose available to replace Hayes.
Dunn needs another start tomorrow. Put him in the leadoff spot and move MM to 7 in the lineup. Dunn, Elly, Steer, Bleday, Sal, Lowe, MM, Stephenson, Friedl
Hayes needs to learn how to bunt, that way he can only make one out at a time hopefully and move someone into scoring position
I’ve seen many double plays that started with a bunt that was popped up and caught or poorly placed. 😉
@Jim We now have the automatic BB. Maybe we should get the auto K? Saves us from the auto DP.
Blake dunn running thru home instead of sliding made me like him a lot more. Bravo.
That was a really good catch by Dunn in the 9th, but it would have been fun to see if Steer could have caught that too from his angle as a First baseman. I think if Steer was the Right Fielder, he wouldn’t have gotten to that ball. Speed and Defense definitely can make a difference in a game, even if the player’s not a great hitter.
Obviously that’s the issue with Hayes, is the Offense is not good enough currently to justify him starting. Even on a great Offensive team like the Braves, I don’t think they’d keep Hayes in their lineup hitting .150 ultimately.
I don’t know how long you give him. I think some teams in some situations would have cut Hayes after tonight. I’m not saying I would do that, but it’s kind of a unfortunate situation. I’m not against Hayes at all, but it’s kind of embarrassing to other players on the team and in the league. One thing that gives him a little more grace in today’s game, is hitting seems quite a bit worse then 10 years ago, so there’s a lot of guys in the league still hitting under .200.
When Suarez comes back I think it’ll clarify the whole situation. Maybe he can still be a late game replacement. An expensive one, but these guys are professionals and if everyone puts down their pride, maybe it can work. I think Francona is good in that area keeping the team together. But still, is a late inning replacement at 3B hitting .150 a good use of a bench spot?
Well, too much focus on Hayes here sorry ha, but just my thoughts. Glad for a win overall!
There are some really awful stat lines of hitters across mlb this year. The average players ops looks worse and worse.
Twins just did the unthinkable and optioned Royce Lewis to triple A.
Yeah, I don’t like it. I wish they could change something in the game to get the averages up. It just doesn’t seem like someone should be a major league starter hitting .190 for 3 months. That seemed like really rare 15 years or so ago.
It seems Lewis just has so many injuries he may never quite put together consistent time in MLB.
Hey Redsvol.
Yes I have noticed some good players struggling so far. Cal Raleigh .161
Manny Machado .182 Bo Bichette .224 Francisco Lindor .226 Fernando Tatis Jr. .237.
Reds right now have a better record than ever American league team other than Guardians, Rays and Yankees and the lowly White Sox.
They are better in the NL than Giants, Pirates, Mets, Nats and are tied with the Phillies.
If we can replace Hays with Suarez and get back the rest of our injured, get the CDC report back for what is ailing our bullpen there might be something yet to get excited about for this year.
Things are absolutely back to normal. Brewers at the top and Pirates at the bottom of NL central. Pirates will lose to most other teams and beat the crap out of the Reds. That’s just how things work.
Sad but true
I ranted on here last year how terrible of a trade it was getting Hayes . It’s just terrible he weakens the whole team by his improved defense at third you move Steer to left . While that improves defense at third it weakens defense at first and left . For what? On average the ball gets hit to third 4 times per game . Resulting in 4 at bats for Hayes. About 25 balls defended and 25 at bats per week if he plays everyday. Hayes might make 2-3 more defensive stops\outs per week while getting 4 hits maybee 1 extra base hit every other week he will hit into more double plays than extra base hits. He’s creating way more outs than she’s stopping ( 7 created outs today) while wearing the entire team
Good point, sometimes it’s, how is the move affecting other parts of the team, not just Third Base as well.
It makes me wonder too in general, how good Defensively do you have to be to cancel out being really bad Offensively, or vice versa, how good Offensively do you have to be to cancel out being really bad Defensively?
A couple weeks ago Spencer Steer dove for a ball and missed it and I think 3 runs scored. I thought he made a decent read, but I also thought, I think Rece Hinds probably catches the ball. Now over time, I think Steer in Right would definitely be a better every day player than Hinds, but it’s interesting, sometimes the Defense does come into play in big time ways in a game.
But maybe Hayes makes 2 great plays a week other Third Baseman don’t make, but what if he was getting on base 4-5 more times a week even? Maybe that’d lead to more rallies, more momentum in the Offense in general.
It’s almost like the analytics people have completely figured out where Hayes is going to hit the ball. I bet 40 years ago, he’d be a lot better, when there weren’t the analytics to track where a player hits the ball almost all the time. He puts the ball in play so often, it seems almost hard to have as low an average as he has. Maybe he gets on some great Offensive team and somehow the balls start finding the holes more. But not working in Cincy Offensively right now.
In order to really figure this out, you’d have to figure out how many hits directly affect the outcome of the game. At this point, the average MLB hitter gets slightly less than one hit per game. I’m not going to do the digging required to find out, but I’d bet that a significant percentage–half? a third?–of those hits don’t help any runs score.
I think that actually, the first baseman is in a LOT more plays than the 3rd baseman. The first baseman is involved in a lot of put-outs. Every ground ball to 2nd or 3rd or SS, ends up with a throw to the first baseman.
So having a good defensive first baseman counts a lot more than having a good defensive 3rd baseman.
Unless you watched the 1970 World Series, and Brooks Robinson took away a boatload of shots into the hoe and 3rd base by Tony Perez, Johnny Bench and Lee May. May actually had the best World Series, and had a game winning HR in the only game they won. Brooks couldn’t get to that one.
Scott Rolen they always said was so good, which helped the 2012 team. Nolan Arenado reminds me a little of Rolen. I wish the Reds could have traded for him this year. The Reds having Hayes, and I’m sure the Cards not wanting to trade him to the Reds cancelled that possibility out. But he would have been an established veteran with a reputation that would have been good for the Reds. He’s hitting pretty well for the Dbacks.
From Reds perspective, they have won six NL pennants in my lifetime (born 1951). In 1961, Gene Freeze was below average at 3B.
In 1970, Tony Perez was average at 3B. In 1972, Denis Menke was above average at 3B.
In 1975 and 1976, Rose was average at 3B. In 1990, Chris Sabo was probably the best 3B (defensively) among Reds pennant winners.
The Reds have only had two outstanding 3B defensively in my lifetime. Scott Rolen and Hayes are the two best. Hayes has the second highest (career) fielding % at 3B ever. Ever. Brooks Robinson is fifth best.
I agree with your post, but it doesn’t even capture all of the bad decision-making, because they had a 3B ready to go in the minors (Stewart) and they didn’t call him up for another month.
Excellent point. Forgot about the timing of these 2 things. For some reason someone in the front office didn’t want a rookie to solve the bad 3B defense problem.
If we can get Hunter and Pagan back in June and maintain health of rest of pitching we may be ok.
If they don’t come back until July, we’re probably not contending this year.
I think Hayes is a victim of todays analytic era in baseball. His mechanics are almost too perfect as he barrels the ball most times. the problem is he seems to hit it in the same spot every time so he can easily be defended. He doesnt have the bat speed and strength of guys like EDLC AND Sal Stewart who get many of their hits off mishits- bloops, jam shots, choppers etc…
He brings me to my next point about the lockout for 2027.
If I am the Reds, Pirates, Royals etc.. forget about salary caps, profit sharing etc. these things are not happening. I say focus on RULE CHANGES, RULE CHANGES,RULE CHANGES.
any rule change to make it easier for guys like KBH to get hits will help us be more competitive. I really feel more needs to be done to restrict shifts in both the infield and outfield. you still have the shortstop standing behind second base and the 3rd basemen playing short stop and the first basemen playing second many plays. also the outfield alignments are a joke… there are no gaps anymore. only balls hit down the line seem to make it to the wall for extra base hits anymore. AT the very least get rid of the cheat cheats the fielders use for gosh sakes.
How about every batter hitting below .200 gets one free single to be used at the manager’s discretion. Any runners on base advance only 1 base. And the free single does not contribute to the players ABs or BA.
not a bad idea… just something to stimulate the offense
I’m thinking the headline should read, “Chase Burns is a Stud … AGAIN!!”
Good to see Bleday give a quality at bat against a good lefty pitcher and smoke that Sac fly to F to get a run in. Reds have desperately needed a lefty hitting OF that isnt a black hole on handedness splits so Bleday is a really nice addition. Lowe is another nice lefty power bat and Elly is playing his most consistent baseball of his career.
From the right side, Spencer Steer has an OPS + 115 on the year and it appears Sal Stewart has smoothed out that rough few weeks a bit and now stands at OPS+122 with 11 homers headed to Memorial Day. Dane Myers has an OPS + 101 in 81 PA and is a valued OF bench/depth piece. Oddly enough, his splits are reverse this year from his career but sample size is small. Get Geno back and the makings of a credible balanced offense are there.
Big win for the Reds. Burns is a ‘stopper.’ I hope Abbott is on today since the Reds need a series win to split the road trip. They take on the pesky Cardinals at home then back east for a series in N.Y., then home again.
At this point in the season you cannot have an inning which includes Benson, Friedl, and Hayes. You are essentially giving away 1/3 of the game. All must be replaced as soon as possible. Arroyo and Marte are knocking on the door and perhaps Toglia or H Rod as well
Michael Toglia is not on the 40 man roster. He is pretty much a career minor leaguer at this point. A one-time first round draft choice that never arrived.
Yes, it would be fun to bring him up and let him play and see what he does, but that’s not going to happen, unless there are a rash of injuries and guys going on the 60 day IL and opening up spots on the 26 man roster.
Hector Rodriquez should be down in AAA this season. I don’t think he is quite ready to be promoted. He is just 22 years old.
Austin Hendrick, one time Cincinnati first rounder, was just promoted to AAA.
Toglia has 1066 PA in the majors and a hit 25 HR in 2/3 of a MLB season in 2024 at age 25. He’s trying to cut down on his SO like many minor leaguers to get back to the majors.
A word on Matt McLain. Folks seem to want to lump him in with others in a collective deep pool of offensive futility but the recent numbers argue otherwise. Id break down things into tiers of poor offensive play but also assign context to future solutions.
1.) Ke’Bryan Hayes- he stands alone in his own tier of offensive ineptitude. Reds need Suarez back ASAP. Dont bring up arroyo until he is playing everyday and with suarez coming back presumably in the next 2 weeks that isnt tenable.
2.) Will Benson and TJ Friedl- Both are not hitting remotely close to MLB standards and much like the Benson/Jake Fraley dynamic a year ago….why are we carrying 2 no hit lefty outfielders? Time to move on from Benson and make Freidl a bench OF.
3.) Stephenson/Trevino- both are catchers so there is no solution here. Both are safe and no viable replacement options. You live with it.
4.) Matt McLain- Mclain on the year has an OPS + of 85. But, if you look deeper, hes actually been a solid to very good player for the last month. His defense is great at the keystone position.
Last 7 days- .269/.345/615/.960. OPS +164
Last 14 days- ..283/.365/.543/.909 OPS+ 159
Last 28 days .218/.292/.437/.728 OPS + 103.
Give McLain another 4 weeks at leadoff to see if he can maintain the levels of offensive productivity he has shown over this past month. Hes been one of the Reds top 4-5 players.
+10,000
I’m seeing the same uptick. I like him in that slot.
+1000 @OS – fine post!
+10000000, O-S.
Agree. Let’s face it, we’re stuck with Hayes at the very least until next week……after his bobblehead day and presumably when Geno will return.
Tito is one of McLain’s biggest supporters and has said so.No worries he will play and hit at the top of the order or the bottom of the order.Right now he is leading off and is 1-9 with 4 punch outs the last 2 games.Don’t get me wrong I like him and he can run and field.He is not the biggest of the offensive woes just one of them.Reds could live with and will anyway whatever he gives them because so many others are much worse as you pointed out.Roster changes have to be made.
Do you know his numbers top of order vs bottom third? Still think he hits better lower in the order. Problem is there is no one appreciably better to lead off. Maybe give Dunn a try.
That Burns kid is good. Package him with KBH and some MiLB fodder to get some bats at the trade deadline. But they must take KBH to get Burns.
We don’t need to get rid of KBH that bad…..just DFA him and take the lumps.
The Reds FO probably are not doing anything about KBH till after his bobblehead giveaway Saturday. Let’s see what happens after that.
Don’t hold your breath on that one. KBH is not going anywhere, unless it is to ride the bench.
He is one slick fielding 3rd baseman, but he is frankly a lousy major league hitter. It was a huge mistake for the Reds to acquire him, but that ship has sailed.
He has the second highest career fielding % by an MLB 3B ever. Brooks Robinson is fifth on that list.
Hayes has a career BA of .247 (but 100 points lower this year).
Lineup is out. I wonder if Friedl is banged up? Lastnight he didnt pitch hit and not in lineup today. Hasn’t been playing much. I know he has struggled yes,however just wondering if he isnt healthy?? Time will tell I guess
Got a decent bit of speed and power in this lineup today. Always a good combination.
A reminder to some that we traded Taylor Rogers, Sammy Stafura, and cash for Hayes last year. Rogers was a free agent at year-end. Stafura is hitting .188 in A and A+ ball this year.
We don’t make the playoffs without Hayes last year. He won another Gold Glove and at GABP, he hit .278 with a .369 OBP and .431 SLG last year.
Yes. He has certainly struggled this year. Over the last 3 years, only Jeimer Candelario’s 2025 season is worse in terms of wRC+. Hayes is only striking out 15.6% of the time though (trying to find any kind of positive). The 2026 version of Friedl is not much better though and neither were 2023 Wil Myers, 2023 Curt Casali and 2024 CES.
We could see Hayes relegated to the bench or even DFA’d but the fixation of a #9 hole hitter that is a Platinum Glove candidate and perennial Gold Glove winner is majoring in the minors. We have much, much bigger problems than Hayes. Watch how much worse our pitching gets without him at 3B.
We need to quit walking people, nibbling, and giving up home runs. We were in first in April with the same performance from Hayes. It’s the pitching that is the problem and why we’re in last with the worst record in MLB in May.
“We have much, much bigger problems than Hayes”
True. But when things aren’t going well, folks find a whipping boy, and Hayes is not only an easy target, they can quickly segue to Krall’s decision-making because it automatically gets plenty of local “attaboys.” Plus, they’re not quite ready to turn on Fancona yet.
I had wanted the Reds to get a big bat in the 2024 draft, but I’ve got to admit Burns looks like a winner. I’ll give Krall/Meador a nod for that. I don’t know if he’s comparable to Skenes just yet, but he has a better ERA+ and WAR right now. Skenes has far better control, a bit harder to hit, and keeps the ball in the park better. If Burns can cut down on the walks, it’ll tighten up the comparison. Then again, there’s always the Dunne factor.