The Reds made a handful of moves before tonight’s series opener with the Rockies. Cincinnati recalled outfield prospect Rece Hinds in his first MLB promotion. They also brought up righty reliever Yosver Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville. In corresponding moves, the Reds optioned right-hander Graham Ashcraft and placed outfielder Stuart Fairchild on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 7) with a spinal disc injury.
Hinds is in the starting lineup tonight in right field. He’ll hit eighth and likely take his first big league at-bat against Colorado starter Ryan Feltner. The righty-hitting corner outfielder has been on Cincinnati’s 40-man roster since the start of last offseason. The Reds selected his contract to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. He has been on optional assignment to Louisville all year.
Initially drafted as a third base prospect, Hinds was a second-round pick out of high school back in 2019. Evaluators have long been intrigued by the massive raw power he packs into a 6’4″ frame, but Hinds’ stock has dipped since he entered pro ball because of longstanding contact questions. The 23-year-old has punched out in nearly 35% of his plate appearances over parts of five minor league campaigns.
Strikeouts have again been a concern this season. Hinds has fanned at an untenable 38.4% clip through 328 trips to the plate in Louisville. While he has connected on 13 home runs, his .216/.290/.409 slash line in Triple-A is below average. The Reds remain intrigued by Hinds’ pure power potential, but it’s fair to expect a lot of swing-and-miss in his initial look at MLB pitching.
Cincinnati has tried to find a reliable righty-hitting outfielder to take some at-bats from lefties Jake Fraley and Will Benson. Fairchild has teed off on lefties at a .308/.388/.473 clip over 103 plate appearances, but he hasn’t produced at all against right-handed pitching (.127/.188/.203 in 86 PAs). He’s now out for an indeterminate amount of time, perhaps contributing to the decision to bring in Austin Slater in a late-night trade with the Giants. (Fraley is also currently away from the team tending to a family matter.)
On the pitching side, Zulueta steps into the bullpen and pushes Ashcraft back to Triple-A. It’s the second time this season that the Reds optioned the righty, who opened the year in the rotation. Ashcraft started three times since being recalled on June 26, allowing 10 runs in 15 innings. The Reds could soon welcome Nick Lodolo back from his stint on the 15-day injured list. Manager David Bell told reporters that rookie right-hander Carson Spiers will hold his rotation spot behind Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Frankie Montas (X link via Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer).
In other Reds news, Cincinnati announced that utilityman Levi Jordan went unclaimed on waivers. He was outrighted back to Louisville. The Reds designated Jordan for assignment last week when they called up Edwin Ríos. A former 29th-round draftee, Jordan earned an MLB call in late June and appeared in seven contests. He picked up his first hit, a double off Daulton Jefferies, over 10 at-bats. He’s hitting .302/.384/.443 on the year in Triple-A.
Ouch! Send down a guy the day after he is the bobblehead giveaway.
Reds are just churning through one outfielder after another. Injured (Friedl, Fairchild, Martini), unavailable and oft injured (Fraley), ineffective (Benson, Dunn, Hurtubise, Burdick, Capel, Thompson). Next up: Hinds, Slater.
Fairchild crashes into more walls than a crash test dummy.
Excited to see Rece Hinds get his shot in the majors! His power potential is undeniable, though those strikeout rates are a concern. Hoping he can adjust quickly to MLB pitching. Also curious about Yosver Zulueta joining the bullpen—could be a solid addition if he performs like he did in Triple-A.
Nothing says “solid additions if he performs like he did in triple-a” like a 216 .290 .409 slash line
@drasco036
I guess in baseball, ‘solid’ can sometimes be a matter of perspective! Here’s hoping Rece Hinds and Yosver Zulueta can both shine in the big leagues despite their Triple-A stats.
Drasco
Well, Rece had a great first game. I hope he gets to stay in the lineup at least until the All-Star break.
@MannyBeingMVP
Yep, decent game. Sure, it was against COL and not Baltimore or Philly but it’s still MLB level players so good for him.
Two games, 5 for 7, with two HRs, one triple, two doubles, a 107 mph ground out, and one strikeout. Rece has arrived. But yes, it is Rockies’ pitching.
The Reds need a guy with pop who can elevate a ball – he and Rios fit both those needs.
It is always exciting to see the prospects make it to the bigs. Just hope they aren’t rushing him and doing him a disservice.
Or maybe a cup of coffee will motivate him. He’s got the power.
He had a nice debut game. Hope he keeps it up!
Carson Spiers is one of those guys who succeeds on the power of birthday candles and prayer. I have no idea how he gets anyone out, but he does it. Reminds me of Woody Williams but with worse control.
I don’t understand how Martini keeps a job as a DH who doesn’t hit. Injuries and other bad circumstances have really hit this team hard.
I remember Woody Williams. If my memory serves me right, with your Cardinals in 2003, his first half was really good, but then he kind of cratered in the second half for you guys. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong!
The worst injury plagued team I can remember in recent history.
Rearranging the deck chairs once more.
Judging by the article, would an appropriate comp for Hinds be someone like Willy Mo Peña? Just curious since he was the first Reds player to pop in my head.
Hoping he turns out better than Wily Mo. Jim Bowden loved that guy if you recall.
I hope it is not one of those platoons where Benson strikes out against righties and Hinds strikes out against lefties.
Batting Practice Homerun Champ Wily Mo Pena? A good comp. Also probably a slightly worse Will Benson.
He’s not ready this is a rushed move because we have no depth
I think the Reds are throwing in the towel, as they should. How can a team go to Yankees stadium, sweep them 3 straight, only to come back home, and get seeing Detroit! I think that was the final straw. They’re going to use the rest of this season as a developmental one.
*swept
This front office has a history of throwing in the towel instead of getting in the ring and fighting to begin with, so no surprise to any of us.
I still feel sorry for the kids last year, who fought so hard to get let down in the end by their bosses. They will remember when they have choices.
Lmao how did the bosses let down the players who didn’t do their job? Good god you’re a fkn moron.
Call the Tigers for Ibanez and Canha. They are righty hitters that do well against lefties. Canha can play the OF. Ibanez has played a couple times. Mostly a 2B.
This is the most injured team I have ever seen. Just constant.