Understanding Spencer Steer's Slow Start at the Plate in 2025

His .397 OPS and 10 OPS+ indicate Steer is simply having a tough time just hitting the baseball. Having not seen the zone well this season, he is not helping his case of keeping the full-time designated hitter role. 

After all, over the past two seasons, Steer's arguably been one of the team's best players. At 5'9" and 185 lbs, many would not view him as an offensive powerhouse at first glance. However, his 43 home runs and 178 RBI over the last two seasons say otherwise. 

At the same time, it is concerning that his hard hit percentage has decreased from 39.9% in 2024 to just 20.6% to start 2025. As he is not a contact hitter, holding a .241 career batting average to his name, Steer has to begin hitting the ball harder to succeed. 

Only 13 games played so far in 2025, it is a small sample size that may ultimately be a rough start to his third full year in the majors. Nonetheless, if Steer cannot right the ship soon, the Reds may be forced to make a tough decision.

The former Cleveland Guardians 29th-round pick has exclusively been used as a designated hitter in 2025, having never been the strongest of defenders. With experience playing every position in the majors except center field, at best, Steer is below-average in the field.

Cincinnati also finds themselves in a situation where they have the talent to platoon Steer if necessary, as he finds his groove. As Matt McLain and Austin Hays return from injury, the Reds can be more flexible with their lineup. Santiago Espinal or Jeimer Candelario could fill the DH role while the other starts at third base. Or maybe the Reds give Blake Dunn a start in the outfield and let Hays or Jake Fraley get the day off from the field.

The reality of the situation is that the Reds would love nothing more than for Spencer Steer to get hot at the plate. He leads the franchise in runs batted in since 2023, and can still be that middle of the lineup power threat the team needs him to be. For now, at the very least, Cincinnati needs Steer to start making hard contact on the ball.