Reds' Outfield Struggles: Who Gets Right Field Reps?

0:00It's April 27. This is MLB News Today, powered by AI, you're around the diamond update. I'm Cory with the story. The Cincinnati Reds are sitting pretty atop the National League Central with an 18 and 10 record, but their outfield just ain't producing on. Offense. Only Dane Myers at 746 OPS and Spencer Steer at 702 are clearing the league average of 715. The rest? Pretty quiet at the plate. Centerfield stays locked in a platoon between TJ Freedle and Myers. No changes there, while Steer keeps getting every day looks. That puts rightfield in flux with Will Benson, Reese Hines, and the fresh call up, JJ Blade, all vying for time. Manager Terry Frenkona got straight up asked after Sunday's game, who grabs the most reps out there. He kept it real, saying it depends on who's pitching, hot bats and bench balance. No farm plan yet. Benson's been ice cold, slashing 162 over 311, slashed 243 in 22 games, no homers.

1:04Hines is 4 for 31 since arriving, chasing pitches like crazy, and nearly 40% with strikeouts over 45%. Blade, though, signed this offseason, crushed AAA, and went deep in his Reds debut. It's a head scratcher for Frenkona with these similar profiles overlapping, especially against Rides. Expect some shuffling as they chase that outfield spark to keep the lead rolling.