2026 MLB First-Half Recap: Cincinnati Reds

The Pitching

The Good

Sal Stewart is not the typical power hitter. Low strikeout rate (21% K%), consistent contact hitter. But one can’t knock what Stewart, in his first full season, has done for the Reds this season.

After a strong cameo last September, Stewart finished the break with 19 home runs and 41 extra-base hits, tied for the 13th-most in the Majors as of writing. And with 65 RBI, Stewart’s been the key run producer for the Reds.

Stewart headlined an offense that’s received good production from familiar faces Elly De La Cruz plus outfielder JJ Bleday. Bleday, who signed with the Reds in late December 2025, found himself outside the Athletics’ depth chart after problems adjusting to the soft stuff, coupled with the rise of other young outfielders.

But in 2026, Bleday’s been arguably the most valuable hitter outside of Stewart. Sixteen home runs, plus a .365 wOBA that ranked among the top 40 in the Majors heading into the break.

Moving to the pitching staff, the Reds were able to steady the ship (somewhat) without Hunter Greene with Andrew Abbott and Chase Burns.

Burns emerged as the staff ace without Greene, as the second-year right-hander struck out 118 over 102 frames with the Reds before the break. Armed with one of the best fastball/slider combos in the game, his K/9 of 10.3 was in the top 15 among starters with 75+ IP, while his opponents’ wOBA of .281 ranked in the top 20.

Abbott, meanwhile, had his troubles early on in the season. But from May onward, his production stabilized despite a BB/9 above 4.0.

The Bad

It didn’t help that the Reds were without Hunter Greene for the vast majority of the first half. Greene, who underwent bone chips & loose bodies removal surgery in March, did not return at the big-league level until July 4. But that’s not an excuse for what was a very difficult first half for the Reds’ rotation.

Rhett Lowder, who was not healthy last year and made up for lost time in the AFL, walked 35 over 69 innings. Nick Lodolo posted a 4.60 ERA across 12 starts, part of a first half that saw the lefty battle with blister problems again.

Cincinnati’s problems with the pitching staff didn’t stop there. Emilio Pagan missed significant time with a hamstring strain, which left Tony Santillan as the primary high-leverage reliever for the Reds. Nine home runs allowed through 31 innings, as well as one of the worst opponents’ wOBA (.354) in the Majors among relievers.

It also didn’t help that while the Reds saw Tejay Antone come back strong, Connor Phillips also had command problems less than one year after he emerged as a key weapon in the pen. Phillips walked 28 batters over 27 innings.

As for the offense, it lacked depth. Matt McLain batted below .200, as did Noelvi Marte and TJ Friedl. Friedl, a weapon atop the Reds’ lineup for years, found himself in Triple-A during the spring as he tried to work out of a funk.

Looking Ahead

The Reds came into 2026 with high hopes after beating the Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot last year. But now, the Reds find themselves last in the NL Central, and eight games out of a playoff spot as of July 15.

Plain and simple, the Reds will need some help to get back into the playoff race.