The Cincinnati Reds had a very mid year at the plate. Only a few players posted above-average years at the dish, with no one really going off. Spencer Steer faced injury and a very slow start to his 2025 and will look to break out next year.<\/p>\n
This is part of the \u201cWill he mash?\u201d series of posts. We will look at the key contributors to the Reds in 2025 and answer the question of whether they will be key contributors to the lineup next year.<\/p>\n
Steer got Gold Glove consideration at first base. He has been a solid (if unspectacular) bat in the Reds lineup but we have now seen two years of similar slash lines from him. It is important to define what Steer\u2019s role is next year in order to discern whether he will mash.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If Steer is a first baseman, he will not mash in 2026. If Steer is back to a super utility player, he WILL mash. Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n
A total of 18 players saw 450+ plate appearances as first baseman in 2025. Steer ranked 10th in this group in OPS. When just singling out his 465 plate appearances strictly playing first base, he had a .787 OPS. That was 40 points lower than the next first baseman, Willson Contreras from St Louis.<\/p>\n
Could Steer add 20 points to his on-base percentage and 20 points to his slugging? Maybe, but that would just get him to the level of Contreras and nowhere near the level of Vinnie Pasquantino (.848 OPS) or Matt Olson (.850). Steer will always be a below-average bat as a first baseman unless he takes a big step next year. Don\u2019t even get me started on whether Steer can reach Nick Kurtz\u2019s level\u2026<\/p>\n
The other problem with expecting a breakout for his bat is the peripheral numbers. He is below league average in hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity. He just doesn\u2019t provide enough hard contact to see his numbers spiking, right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There\u2019s always hope, but hope is not a strategy.<\/p>\n
Small market teams that play with small budgets, like the Reds, must have players cast properly. That is why Steer is MUCH better suited as a super utility player.<\/p>\n
Comparing him to the six Gold Glove finalists as utility players this year, Steer has the best OPS of any of them. That list INCLUDES postseason record-setting Ernie Clement.<\/p>\n
If you put Steer\u2019s bat at the position where most players are bat-first, glove-second, then he looks overmatched. If the Reds were to instead move him around the infield, with brief cameos in left field, he would be the most valuable to them.<\/p>\n
Make Steer a super utility player again, and he WILL mash in 2026.<\/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