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JJ Bleday is seizing his chance in the Cincinnati Reds' outfield, which has seen instability this season. Manager Terry Francona expresses confidence in Bleday as he takes a prominent batting position.
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May 10—CHICAGO — For the first month of the season, a starting spot in the Cincinnati Reds' outfield was like a revolving door. Between Noelvi Marte, Rece Hinds and Will Benson, the Reds couldn't find a solution.
Now, Terry Francona believes that JJ Bleday could be a part of the answer.
"I think Bleday is kind of trying to," Francona said. "He has done about as much as you can ask."
Bleday has still only been on the roster for a couple of weeks, but Francona is showing confidence in Bleday as he hits second in the order.
Bleday sticking there would be a significant development.
The hope entering the season was that Marte would lock down a starting spot. He had very encouraging stretches in 2025, showing some All-Star potential. But he really struggled last September, and those struggles carried over into 2026.
Marte struggled finding the right pitches to swing at, and he wasn't productive in MLB. After opening the year as the Reds' right fielder, he was optioned to Triple-A in the middle of April.
Since then, Marte has been hitting at an extremely productive level in Triple-A. But there's more to evaluate that just his counting stats at that level.
"It's more about the process," Reds general manager Brad Meador said. "As we've seen, there's a big gap right now between what's happening in Triple-A and what's happening in the big leagues. We've seen it with a few of our guys. You're hitting breaking balls off the plate, that doesn't work here. It's more than what his numbers look like."
When Marte was first optioned, Hinds received the next opportunity in the Reds' outfield. Hinds really struggled with swinging and missing, and he was also hitless against left-handed pitching.
Hinds was expected to get a significant opportunity, but as he struggled that chance only lasted a couple of weeks.
Bleday was activated following Eugenio Suárez's oblique injury. With good results in the Reds' lineup, Bleday earned one start after another and went from a bench piece to the No. 2 spot in the Reds' lineup.
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The Reds' outfield has struggled with instability, featuring a rotating cast of players like Noelvi Marte, Rece Hinds, and Will Benson.
JJ Bleday has made a strong impression in his short time with the team, earning a spot batting second in the order.
Manager Terry Francona believes Bleday is doing well and is trying to make the most of his opportunity with the team.
If Bleday can maintain his position in the lineup, it would represent a significant development for the Reds' outfield stability.
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"I'm blessed to be here," Bleday said. "I'm doing whatever I can to contribute to the best of my ability to help the team win. I've pretty much hit everywhere now in my career. It's good to be up there and have that position. It's a good spot to be."
Bleday does have upside and a track record of some success in the big leagues.
He was the No. 4 pick in the 2019 by the Miami Marlins and was a top prospect. As recently as 2024, Bleday was one of the more intriguing young outfielders in MLB and was a very productive player.
Struggling with mechanics in 2025, Bleday had a poor first half of the season and was optioned to Triple-A in the Athletics' organization. But he was back in the big leagues in August and September and hit well.
He signed with the Reds in December with the expectation that he'd compete for a starting spot. It didn't play out that way as Nathaniel Lowe earned the final spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster.
Bleday is getting his chance now, and he's making the most of it.
"What stands out is how hard he hits it and his bat speed," Spencer Steer said. "It's a pretty looking swing. It looks like he's angry at the ball."
Bleday has been slotting in left field against right-handed pitching.
TJ Friedl remains the Reds' primary center fielder and leadoff hitter. After a slow start, Francona sees Friedl getting back on track, and Friedl is getting the barrel on the ball more often.
Spencer Steer moved from left field to right field when Bleday joined the roster. With Bleday more comfortable in left and Steer always eager to show off his versatility, he was excited about the move.
Dane Myers remains a platoon piece who starts for the Reds versus left-handed pitching. Will Benson has received some sporadic starts in the outfield, getting most of his playing time against starting pitchers who really struggle against left-handed pitching.