The Cincinnati Reds drafted Kien Vu out of Arizona State in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB draft. He was an All-American in college and put up excellent numbers offensively for a self-proclaimed defense-first player, batting .351 with a 1.062 OPS, 25 home runs, and 98 RBIs in his three years.<\/p>\n
He made his professional debut shortly after signing with the Reds, and his first week did not go as he had hoped. He went 0-10 with six strikeouts and only reached base once via a hit-by-pitch. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I mean, that first week was brutal,” Vu said.<\/a> “I’ve told so many people about that. Going 0-10, I probably had seven or eight strikeouts. I mean, you can imagine how much doubt was in my mind after that Sunday game. It’s an incredible feeling, because you’re just like, I don’t think I’ve been at a lower point recently when it came to baseball. So yeah, I mean, going through that, it was tough.”<\/p>\n \u201cI sat down with the sports psychologist that the Reds got, and I was just like, what’s going on? And he really calmed my mind. Then I started journaling a little, and there are a few things that I worked on to start that Tuesday game. And my dad had flown out, I think. I don’t know if he saw how much I was struggling or if he already planned to come out, but he came out, which was awesome. And then, yeah, just trying to flush it. It happens to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on to win the Player of the Week for the Florida State League the next week. He slashed .467\/.600\/.867 with six of his seven hits being extra-bases. He also had six RBIs, five runs scored, three walks, and a stolen base. He hit his first professional home run on August 21 and finished the season with four. In 23 games, he hit .273 with a .903 OPS.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can see our interview with Kien Vu below and listen to it on audio here:<\/a><\/p>\n Make sure you bookmark Cincinnati Reds Talk<\/a> for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!<\/p>\n You May Also Like:<\/p>\n Reds Infielder Matt McLain Reflects on Frustrating Season After Wild Card Series Loss<\/a><\/p>\n One Under-The-Radar Reds Prospect Participating in Arizona Fall League<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds on Wrong Side of History After Another Postseason Loss<\/a><\/p>\n Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star Removed From Braves\u2019 40-Man Roster<\/a><\/p>\n Exclusive Interview With Cincinnati Reds Minor League All-Star<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds Squander Chances in Season-Ending Loss to Dodgers<\/a><\/p>\n Sal Stewart Makes Reds History in Game 2 of National League Wild Card Series<\/a><\/p>\n Former Reds Pitcher Gets Out of Bases-Loaded Jam for Yankees, Has Epic Reaction<\/a><\/p>\n MLB Analyst Suggests Reds’ Ace Hunter Greene Was Tipping Pitches Against Dodgers<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Make Major League Baseball History<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds Utility Player Elects Free Agency<\/a><\/p>\n Four Cincinnati Reds Players Nominated For All-MLB Team<\/a><\/p>\n Reds Become First Team Ever to Reach Playoffs Without Meeting These Statistical Marks<\/a><\/p>\n Brent Suter Does Impression of Terry Francona After Reds Clinch Playoff Berth<\/a><\/p>\n Milwaukee Brewers Show Pure Class After Cincinnati Reds Clinch Playoff Spot<\/a><\/p>\n Former Cincinnati Reds Outfielder Designated for Assignment<\/a><\/p>\n Former Cincinnati Reds Fan Favorite Claimed By Atlanta Braves<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds Sign Former Wake Forest Pitcher to Minor League Deal<\/a><\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds Sign Former George Mason Pitcher to Minor League Deal<\/a><\/p>\n —–<\/p>\n Follow Cincinnati Reds on SI on Twitter\/X: @RedsTalkSI<\/a><\/p>\n Like Our Facebook Page<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Reds Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n