Nick Krall's "monster" label will spark buzz about this forgotten Reds slugger

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Rece Hinds (57) celebrates | Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesRemember when Rece Hinds seemed like the greatest Cincinnati Reds slugger of all time… for about a week? In 2024, he became the first MLB player in history to have five extra-base knocks in his first two games. That was a long time ago. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall seems to think that history will repeat itself in 2026.

Krall, in an interview with Reds Hot Stove League, noted that Hinds cut his strikeout rate by 12%—from 37.9% to 25.9%—at Triple-A in 2025. Krall commented that if he can replicate that in the majors, Hinds could be a “monster.” That’s certainly true. With a lower strikeout…