Revisiting the Jonathan India for Brady Singer Trade

With two months of the 2025 MLB season under our belt, newcomers are starting to settle into their new environments. In Cincinnati and Kansas City’s case, they swung a move in the offseason that shipped 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India to Kansas City for his former Florida Gator teammate, Brady Singer.

The Reds dealt from a position of strength, seeing as Matt McLain was waiting to take over the second base spot, and in turn, added to their already strong starting rotation. With the summer months incoming and lots of baseball left, both players have settled into their new environments and are on teams on the hunt for a postseason appearance.

With that, let’s take a look at how the pair has performed in their first couple of months.

Jonathan India’s Tenure In Cincinnati

India burst onto the scene in 2021 for Cincinnati, slashing .269/.376/.459 for an .835 OPS and 116 OPS+. With 21 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and an 11.3 BB%, he looked like one of the most all-around rookies in terms of offense. He had power, plate discipline, and could run. His only issue was on the other side of the ball, where he recorded a -7 OAA (4th percentile). Other than that, it was a spectacular rookie campaign, one where he recorded 4.1 bWAR and deservedly so, the Rookie of the Year Award.

What followed was a disappointing sophomore season, during which he played just 103 games and posted a .705 OPS and a below-league-average 94 OPS+. His defense continued to struggle, this time with -10 OAA (2nd percentile), and so did his speed. His batted ball metrics were poor as well, as he had a Hard-Hit% of just 28.8% (5th percentile). It was, all in all, a disappointing year all around for India as he recorded -0.3 bWAR at the season’s conclusion.

While the following two seasons were an improvement over his 2022 struggles, he was never quite able to replicate the success of his rookie campaign, as his second-highest bWAR total for a season was 1.7 in 2024. Still, he proved himself to be a reliable mid-700s OPS bat at the top of the lineup, possessing excellent plate discipline and trustworthy bat-to-ball skills. His defense also improved, as he posted a 1 OAA in 2024 (71st percentile).

However, seeing as the Reds had a logjam in the infield, and the services of Jonathan India seemed replaceable, Cincinnati decided to part ways with their second baseman.

Jonathan India’s First Season in Kansas City

Upon arriving in Kansas City as a member of the Royals, he was subsequently moved off of the everyday second baseman role and became more of a utility guy. So far this season, he has spent 21 games in left field, 20 at third base, 10 at second base, and 10 as a DH.

Both DRS and OAA have been unkind to his defense performance, as he’s registered -2 DRS at left field, -1 DRS at third base, and -2 at second base. OAA has him at -10, placing him at the bottom of the league, in the 1st percentile.

On the offensive end, India has slashed .244/.333/.307 for a .641 OPS and 83 OPS+. He has no doubt struggled at the plate to start his Royals tenure, but he has continued to see the ball well, with his 19.6 Chase% (93rd percentile), 19.5 Whiff% (77th percentile), 14.5 K% (87th percentile), and a 10.7 BB% (72nd percentile). These metrics remain among the top in the league, providing hope to fans that he will eventually get back on track at the plate.

Brady Singer’s Tenure in Kansas City

Debuting in the 2020 Covid-shortened season, Singer put up 12 starts to the tune of a 4.06 ERA (115 ERA+). It was a strong showing to begin his career, one that he could confidently build upon.

What followed was an up-and-down rollercoaster for the ensuing few seasons:

2021: 27 starts | 4.91 ERA | 93 ERA+

2022: 27 starts | 3.23 ERA | 127 ERA+

2023: 29 starts | 5.52 ERA | 81 ERA+

2024: 32 starts | 3.71 ERA | 112 ERA+

Singer was a solid piece in the starting rotation, one that you could depend on taking the ball every five days. He was never a big swing-and-miss guy, and opposing hitters have always hit off him well in terms of contact quality. After five full seasons in Missouri, the Royals decided to ship him off, with the recipient gaining a one-year rental, as he will hit free agency following the 2025 season.

Brady Singer’s First Season in Cincinnati

Singer made a brilliant first impression in Ohio as he tossed seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in his Reds debut. However, on the season, he currently has a 4.66 ERA in 12 starts, and his metrics are once again rearing their ugly heads. He has seemingly followed his “one good year, one bad year” trend.

90.5 Avg Exit Velocity – (27th percentile)

23.6 Chase% – (10th percentile)

22.1 Whiff% – (28th percentile)

19.6 K% – (36th percentile)

9.6 BB% – (34th percentile)

10.5 Barrel % – (21st percentile)

42.9 Hard-Hit% – (34th percentile)

34.0 GB% – (13th percentile)

It has not been a pretty first few months as a Cincinnati Red for Brady Singer, and it is currently unclear what the possibility of a return is after this season. Despite the early struggles, Singer still has plenty of time to turn things around.