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The 2025 edition of the Cincinnati Reds was anchored by both TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz, two everyday stalwarts that posted total plate appearances of 685 and 699, respectively. Those marks ranked 21st and tied for 12th among all MLB players, a testament both to their health and good enough production that they played just about everyday against pitchers on both sides of the mound.
Those were the only two Reds to top the 600 PA threshold, though, a mark that 68 total players across the league managed to top. That was due to a number of factors – platooning the likes of lefties Gavin Lux, Will Benson, and Jake Fraley, injuries to Fraley, Austin Hays, and Noelvi Marte, and input trades of Ke’Bryan Hayes and Miguel Andujar eating into others’ playing time.
A 600 PA season is indicative of good health and everyday playing time as much as it is an offense that keeps turning the lineup over, and the hope in 2026 is that the Reds offense is much, much better than it was during a largely ineffective 2025.
That begs the question…how many 600+ PA seasons will the Reds get out of their roster in 2026?
Will they be able to keep Sal Stewart in the lineup often enough for him to get there?
Might Spencer Steer find ways to get there by being versatile to cover both outfield corners and spots all over the infield?
Could they make sure Eugenio Suárez gets there since his bat is the singular reason they brought him onto the roster?
If Matt McLain hits like he did back in 2023 and sticks in the #2 spot in the order all year, will that push his season total over the threshold?
Let us know what you think, since it’s something of a tell of how good you think this offense will be – or a tell on how much you think they’ll rotate the lineup enough to keep guys from getting that many opportunities!
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