A .455 Hitter is Endangered on Reds Roster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gary Schatz | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 2:03 PM ET

Austin Wynns boasts a .455 batting average with two home runs and nine RBI.

Yet, in one of baseball’s inherent injustices, his reward will most likely be a ride to Louisville.

The Reds announced that Tyler Stephenson, along with left-handed pitcher Sam Moll, has been officially placed on a rehab assignment. Stephenson, the team’s first-round pick in 2015, is slated to play against the Iowa Cubs in Louisville on Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for Wynns, the unsung hero is going to be demoted. Jose Trevino is also hitting well and signed a contract extension this spring.

Batting averages, especially in the short term, like nine games, are no match for millions of dollars in investment. It is just a fact of baseball life of which Wynns is well aware.

This Spring, Stephenson felt pain in his lower back. It was not thought to be serious at first, but it turned out to be a strained oblique, one of the most stubborn ailments for athletes.

Stephenson endured weeks of treatment to exorcize the pain.

“It was boring, but you have to do it,” Stephenson said after he was cleared last week for baseball activities. “I’m excited to get back to baseball stuff.”

Stephenson spent the weekend in Columbus, where the Bats were playing the Guardians' Triple-A squad. Tonight, he will feel the adrenaline of a crowd in Louisville.

It is not yet known how long the rehab assignment will be, but Wynns should enjoy the time he has left with the big club.

Who is to say that circumstances won’t bring him back?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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