Breaking down the Reds' complicated outfield picture

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – When it comes to constructing the Reds' Opening Day roster, one area with multiple variables is the outfield. Factoring in who is out of options, contract situations, a Rule 5 pick, platoon possibilities, an injury and player versatility makes it more complicated.

Even the number of outfielders to be carried has yet to be determined. And that doesn't even take into account the potential transactions that could always surface.

“That’s not a bad question, I don’t know," manager Terry Francona said when asked about his outfield plans on Saturday.

This much we know

Three full-time outfielders are locked in. Austin Hays, who was signed to a one-year, $5 million contract in January, has played left field. TJ Friedl is likely to be the regular center fielder and Jake Fraley, a right fielder, is under contract for $3.125 million this season.

Could there be platooning?

The right-handed-hitting Hays was starkly better vs. lefties than righty pitchers last season during a down year (.941 OPS vs. LHP, .569 OPS vs. RHP). For his career, however, the splits have been much closer (.800 vs. LHP, .719 vs. RHP). The lefty-hitting Fraley has fared far better vs. righties than lefties over his career (.786 vs. RHP, .504 vs. LHP). Especially because he's a strong bunter, the lefty-hitting Friedl has been effective against both types of pitchers (.861 vs. LHP, .745 vs. RHP).

Francona hasn't determined if he'll run out the same outfielders each game or platoon.

“It sort of depends on who the guys are. I’ve done it both ways," he said. "What I care about is putting our best team out there. Sometimes that’s mixing and matching. Sometimes it’s not. You might see some of these guys play some against left-handers -- not all of them. Some of it depends on how they’re doing. Some of it depends on who we have."

In the mix

Other players that play primarily outfield in camp include Stuart Fairchild (right-handed hitter), Will Benson (lefty), Rece Hinds (righty), Blake Dunn (righty) and Jacob Hurtubise (lefty). Fairchild, who can play all three spots and had most of his success vs. lefty pitchers last year, is the only one of the group out of options. Benson had a breakout 2023 season but struggled throughout '24 at the plate.

Hinds, Dunn and Hurtubise all made their big league debuts last season but were unable to make lasting impressions. Hinds did bat .500 with five homers over his first six games with the Reds but couldn't find much success after that.

The Lux factor

Acquired in a January trade from the Dodgers, the lefty-hitting Gavin Lux is viewed as someone who could play both the infield and outfield. He's played exclusively in the infield -- mostly at third base -- during spring games, but Francona plans to get him into left field -- where he's logged 39 career games -- eventually. With a crowded infield situation, Lux's versatility would help Francona keep his bat in the daily lineup.

What about Steer?

Infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer made 91 starts in left field for the Reds last season but came into the year expected to contend for either corner infield spot or, possibly, left field. But a problematic right shoulder has limited Steer to only designated hitter this spring.

On Saturday, Steer was scratched from the lineup after he was given a cortisone shot.

“Steer is another thing, and we’ve got to figure him out," Francona said. "All those things kind of play off each other.”

The Rule 5 Wild Card

As part of their attempt to upgrade defensively in the offseason, the Reds selected infielder/outfielder Cooper Bowman from the Athletics in December's Rule 5 Draft. Bowman, who has yet to make his MLB debut, has primarily played second base, shortstop and center field as a professional. He is being given every chance to make the team but under the rules, must remain on the roster all season or be offered back to the A's.

Keeping Bowman could create a domino effect for the others.

“Bowman is the wild card in all this," Francona said. "You’re going to see him play probably more outfield this week. I’m trying to be fair to him, a kid that’s coming out of Double-A, Rule 5. We’ve played him at four or five positions already so we’re trying to let him spend some time with [coach Collin] Cowgill in the outfield this week and play the outfield just because we’ve been moving him a ton. That spot, one move necessitates another one.”

All of the best-laid plans could still be upended later by a late-in-camp trade acquisition, waiver-wire pickup or another injury. It just means it's best to keep everything written in pencil, not pen, for now when it comes to the Reds outfield.