In the world of Major League Baseball, finding a player who stands out for their unique skills can be incredibly intriguing, especially when that player doesn't quite fit into the usual mold. Elly De La Cruz, for instance, made his mark in his debut season with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, starting 29 games and appearing in 32 total games as a third baseman (3B). This was primarily due to the presence of Matt McLain, who took on the shortstop position with 52 starts during the same season.
While it seems unlikely that Elly will consistently be called upon to play 3B moving forward, he certainly possesses the skills and experience necessary to do so. This adaptability is beneficial for the planned starting middle infield, especially since McLain also brings considerable experience from his time playing in the outfield at UCLA, in the Cape Cod League, and even in the Arizona Fall League.
Looking to the left of this dynamic infield setup, there appears to be a bit of a logjam at first base (1B). The Reds aim to resolve this congestion by leveraging player versatility. Sal Stewart, who played both 3B and 2B before making his major league debut in 2025, is expected to rotate across all three positions, including designated hitter (DH). Additionally, the newly signed Eugenio Suárez, a former shortstop for the Reds, has spent a decade as a 3B at the big league level and will likely provide valuable support at this position when not positioned at DH or 1B.
Spencer Steer adds another layer of complexity; he was a Gold Glove finalist at 1B last season and may now be eyeing a starting role in left field (LF). He is likely to switch between these two positions frequently, and reports suggest he could also see some time at 2B to ensure his bat stays in the lineup. However, placing him at shortstop (SS) for any significant duration might be pushing it too far. Steer is shaping up to be the most adaptable player on the roster, provided the Reds continue to trust Noelvi Marte—a former 3B/SS/2B—as their everyday right fielder (RF), a role he only began occupying last August.
It’s essential to note that Marte could easily slide back into the infield mix, particularly in a long game where various substitutions are needed, or if an unexpected injury occurs, prompting the team to explore his potential in center field (CF).
There’s also been discussion around utilizing TJ Friedl in LF, which would free up Dane Myers—a versatile outfielder—to cover CF and improve the overall defensive strength of the outfield. Catcher Tyler Stephenson has some experience at 1B, having played there in 32 games throughout his career, along with 76 appearances as a DH to maintain his batting presence against left-handed pitchers. Even players who might be on the fringe of the roster, like Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Callihan, showcase positional flexibility, with Encarnacion-Strand being adept at both corners of the infield and Callihan having experience at nearly every position except shortstop.
This level of flexibility is almost amusing. If manager Terry Francona wished, he could field teams with lineups that are not only practical but also never repeat the same player in the same position two days in a row, especially with talents like Will Benson and JJ Bleday, who are comfortable across all three outfield spots.
However, the situation becomes perplexing when we focus on Ke’Bryan Hayes. Every time I attempt to decipher the strategic moves of the Reds, everything clicks into place—until we arrive at Hayes.
Hayes has accumulated over 9,100 professional innings since being drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015, with almost all of these innings played as a 3B, save for a few late-game stints at shortstop in 2022. He is strictly a third baseman, and his defensive skills may very well be unparalleled in the sport, despite a batting record that has been lackluster for over two consecutive seasons.
Interestingly, Hayes is the only position player on the roster, apart from the backup catcher, who doesn’t play multiple positions, which makes him somewhat of a rarity on a team otherwise built around versatility. He is also unique in the broader context of baseball as a defense-first player in a position typically dominated by power hitters, distinguishing himself as someone who has never been called upon to showcase that elite defensive talent across other infield spots like shortstop or center field.
When examining the composition of this roster, it's evident that they lack a traditional glove-first player capable of stepping in at every infield position as a reliable option for late-game scenarios. Think of the archetypes—players like Jose Oquendo, Tony Phillips, Craig Counsell, Juan Uribe, and Ryan Freel (may he rest in peace). In Hayes, they have found a player with two quintessential traits of classic utility players: exceptional defensive skills and a weak bat. Yet, for reasons unknown, he hasn't been assigned to leverage that stellar defense throughout the infield to enhance the team's overall performance.
Thus, he finds himself on a versatile roster as the individual who seems ideally suited to move around frequently—but he simply doesn’t. Instead of being compensated like a typical utility player, he is locked into a long-term contract worth $36 million, making him one of the more highly paid players on the team. Despite this scenario, it’s not just a case of the Reds having overpaid for a player who doesn’t fit their needs—they specifically sought out Hayes for the qualities he embodies, even while having other players with superior batting abilities who could also take on the 3B role.
Could there be a resurgence in Hayes’ batting performance that I’m overlooking? Or perhaps the Reds are, for some reason, satisfied with his production of 1.6 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) at 3B while batting ninth in the lineup, all while one of Stewart, Suárez, or Steer remains on the bench during those games.
