These 8 Reds players are turning heads with productive spring training performances

Last spring, when Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India slid headfirst twice in the first inning of the team’s spring training opener, his phone blew up. People who weren’t around Reds’ spring training asked him, “What are you doing?” and reminded him “It’s just spring training.” India was setting the tone and leading by example, and he caught some outsiders by surprise with how hard he was playing from the jump.

One year later, during the first week of this year’s spring training, Reds outfielder Will Benson ran the bases in a game against the Chicago Cubs like it was Game 7 of the World Series. This time, no one was surprised.

Over the last 12 months, the standard has been set for what Reds spring training looks like.

“The key to starting fast is getting reps,” Benson said. “My thought process is: get reps, get reps, get reps. Hopefully you see the intensity with how I’m working. That’s what I’m trying to do out of the gate. Setting a tone with how I work and the intensity level. If we’re all playing with a high intensity level, we’ll produce. We’ll tackle that mountain.”

Benson is leading the way among spring training standouts. Multiple Reds’ players are talking about how his base running is a sign of Benson being locked in, and he has also already smoked a home run and crushed a double in a matchup against a left-handed pitcher.

This week’s newsletter looks at some players who are turning heads in Goodyear, Arizona.

Batting leadoff

In the long run, Graham Ashcraft’s terrible eight-game stretch last summer looks like a net positive for his career. He identified some solutions to become the consistent pitcher he’s trying to develop into. Ashcraft posted a 2.58 ERA over his final 12 starts last year, and he looks like that pitcher again this spring.

“Last year, having the hiccup in the middle of the season was a mix of a bunch of stuff,” Ashcraft said. “It was good for me because it taught me the mentality you need to go into each game. If I keep harping on what I did last year, bring it over and add some new stuff, it can help a lot. Instead of an eight-game stretch I had where I wasn’t good, maybe it’s a two-game stretch. Maybe none.”

With the way he’s pitching, Ashcraft looks like a lock for a rotation spot. He tweaked his two-seam grip last summer and found a way to locate that pitch more effectively. He also kept working on his changeup, which might be the most improved pitch in camp.

“The mechanics are there,” Ashcraft said. “There’s timing stuff I’m putting together. If I can throw the two-seam and slider for strikes, everything will take care of itself.”

It’s clear that the Reds are counting on Christian Encarnacion-Strand to be their best right-handed power hitter. He changed several games last year with one swing of the bat, and the makeup of the lineup could be shaped by Encarnacion-Strand’s presence.He represents a dangerous right-handed power bat slotted between players like Jake Fraley and Will Benson, and Encarnacion-Strand has the potential to shape the bullpen strategies of opposing teams.

Outfielder Jake Fraley had toe surgery following the season, was full-go from Day 1 of spring training and has looked even faster and like an even better defender following an offseason of rehab. He had the most productive offseason in the Reds’ organization.

New Reds pitcher Nick Martinez’s versatility is his biggest strength, and he’s showing that he’s capable of being a full-time starting pitcher if the Reds need him in that role. He consistently throws multiple pitches for strikes, has pitches designed to make him effective in right-on-left matchups, is as aggressive as any Reds pitcher and has an elite changeup. “He’s a guy you can get excited about,” David Bell said.

Outfielder Stuart Fairchild is having the best spring training of his career and has a clear leg up in the battle to be the Reds’ 26th man. His pop, speed, versatility, ability to play center field and willingness to embrace a bench role make him a valuable piece as Bell plots out the 26-man roster.

In 2021, Tony Santillan looked like one of the best young relievers in baseball. In April of 2022, he was the Reds’ closer. For the next two years, Santillan was limited by a debilitating back injury. He had a stronger finish to the 2023 season in Triple-A, and this spring he looks like a pitcher who could make an impact in the big leagues this year. “I feel like myself again,” Santillan said. “I showed it in September last year when I finished strong. Most importantly, I showed it to myself. I’m here to make the team, regardless of what people may think. I believe in myself that I will make the team.”

Catcher Michael Trautwein doesn’t appear on top prospect lists, but he’s looking like the Reds’ best catching prospect since Tyler Stephenson. “In some ways, he went from a player who wasn’t even playing that much in the minor leagues to becoming a real prospect,” Bell said. “He’s getting himself into a position to where he’s close to being able to help us at the major league level.”

The next drive

At safety, this Bengals offseason is starting to feel a lot like the 2020 offseason.

The Bengals were optimistic heading into free agency that year with Jessie Bates III and Shawn Williams as their starters. But then, as the coaches evaluated the free agent class, they fell in love with Vonn Bell.

“When Vonn Bell is out there and available,” Zac Taylor said a few years later, “It’s something you’ve got to talk long and hard about.”

The Bengals like Dax Hill. Few safeties can cover like he can. They know he can make dynamic plays over the top.

A safety like Xavier McKinney might be better.

McKinney could be this year’s Vonn Bell. McKinney was a captain on the Giants, and he mentored Jordan Battle when they were teammates at Alabama. He tackles, picks off passes, is a big athlete and has shown good instincts and range. If the free agent market shakes out a certain way, he could end up as the highest-ranked player on the Bengals’ board.

(Also, I’m intrigued by Packers right tackle Yosh Nijman as the Bengals explore the offensive tackle market).

Question of the day

Because of how strong the offensive tackle draft class is and how likely the Bengals are to draft an offensive tackle, would they have to promise a starting spot to a free agent addition at that position to land a starter with experience?

Quote of the day

Reds catcher Luke Maile: “For as young as we are and the way our personality is, we all want to be on the field. All winter, we knew we had something to prove. Everyone was anticipating getting the band back together. We’re hitting the ground running.”

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds players surprising in MLB spring training