Throughout the 2025 season, there seemed to be a growing frustration between the Cincinnati Reds' philosophical approach to hitting and the fans' expectations. While Reds Country was clamoring for big swings and home runs, Cincinnati's coaching staff preferred contact-oriented approach despite the team playing half their games in one of the most homer-friendly ballparks in the league.
Reds manager Terry Francona and hitting coach Chris Valaika constantly hammered home ideas like hitting the ball the other way, advancing the runner, and making productive outs. Today's analytics-driven operation oftentimes wages war with that type of philosophy, and finding players who actually fit that mold can be a difficult task.