Is the Cincinnati Reds Outfield Good Enough to Compete?

Returning Options

Of the returning options I think we only need to focus on a few. Let’s go ahead and eliminate Lux, who should never play outfield again and will hopefully return to a full-time role as a second baseman. Steer has also been primarily an infielder and we all know what he is at this point, so we’ll save that discussion for another day.

Noelvi Marte

The first player I want to discuss in-depth is Marte. At times he has looked like he’s starting to breakout only to revert back to poor at-bats and a lack of strike zone awareness. He has the athletic ability to become an impact player but still goes through some growing pains to get there.

Last season was a tail of two halves. A .284/.337/.547 25-game sample in the first half, with six home runs, was better than his .254/.285/.410 62-game sample in the second half. However, I think there needs to be added context.

Marte was playing well once he came back in July and peaked in August before the end of the season brought his numbers down. I am willing to buy into the long season for a young player who missed most of the year prior excuse. I think we learn what level of player he is this year. He’s not going to walk much, which puts a ton of pressure on his bat, but I think the talent is there to take a step forward.

The advanced metrics are honestly not too promising. That has to be noted which is why I am hesitate to fully buy into Marte becoming an impact player in 2025, but I do think he could be a decent option.

But, isn’t that the problem? The Reds already have a stable of decent options? Let’s go ahead and talk about the other two guys on your mind.

TJ Friedl

Friedl is damn good baseball player. He’s not great, he doesn’t stand out, and he won’t win any awards; but he solidifies a lineup, gets on base, and pulls enough balls two rows deep to collect 12-15 home runs a year. His defense has declined and his arm is weak, though, which is why I think he’s best suited in left.

Friedl is the exact “third-best outfielder” you’d like to have on the team. Ideally, you add a player with upside (Marte in this case), along with a higher ceiling option who also is proven. That’s the missing piece. An established player who you do not have to talk yourself into this and that going right in order for them to be a 115 wRC+ three-win player. That is where the Reds have fallen short.

Will Benson

Benson is the last player who is in the mix. Look, Will Benson discourse is not for the weak. His loveable personality and promising advanced contact metrics has resulted in a fan club that will defend him to the day he’s out of Cincinnati. I get it, I really do, but at some point you have to be honest about the level of player he is.

Benson is turning 28 this year and has over 1000 plate appearances under his belt slashing .224/.301/.419 with 37 home runs and a 93 wRC+. Oh yeah, there’s also that 33.3% strikeout rate.

As a platoon player, you need to be substantially above league average for it to make sense. If you are not playable against certain pitchers, you need to make up for it with well above production against the one’s you face (righties in this example). Benson had a .708 OPS against righties in 2025 and .676 in 2024.

The red bars from Baseball Savant people continue to turn to are metrics that are impacted and driven heavily by contact. Yes, Benson hits the ball hard, but he doesn’t hit the ball often. In fact, his 73.3% zone contact rate last season was 9% lower than league average, but still an improvement from his 68.4% in 2024.

If you do not make contact on the pitches you should do damage on, are unplayable against lefties, aren’t a great fielder, and your speed wasn’t utilized under the current coaching staff, how much value do you actually have?

The Reds cannot go into 2026 hoping year four is the one where Benson’s career issues suddenly adjust. The bar has to be higher. He’s a talented player and you hate to let those go but if you are a team trying to improve, players like Will Benson are the ones you have to let go of.

Final Thoughts

When you look at the Reds outfield which player would cause a pitcher fear? Considering none of them hit over 15 home runs or posted above a 109 wRC+ I’d say none of them. Situationally, Friedl can be a pest to pitchers. Marte has flashed enough where you don’t think of him as an easy out, but until his plate discipline improves, attacking him is an equation pitchers can figure out.

The additions of Bleday and Myers are not bad moves in a vacuum. But, they do not raise the ceiling, either. Offense was the Reds problem in 2025 and one of their best bats, Andujar, is a free agent. Not to mention Hays, a fine player, is also a free agent.

In order for this team’s outfield to improve you have to see Marte iron out his late season struggles. For as negative as I have been, I do think this is a possibility but that’s a lot of eggs in one basket without much upside as a plan B. Prospects, such as Héctor Rodríguez, is a risky path as well.

At the end of the day the Reds have not done enough to improve their outfield and I don’t have any inclinations that more help is on the way. I hope I’m wrong, but the additions of Bleday and Myers felt like the moves the Reds were settling with. Let’s hope the rest of the team can step up and fill the gaps.