Reds Part Ways with Garrett Hampson: What This Means for the Team and Fans

The Reds have made a significant roster change, designating infielder Garrett Hampson for assignment. As a result, outfielder Rece Hinds has been called up to join the major league roster. Additionally, the Reds have also pulled third baseman Jeimer Candelario off his rehab assignment.

Hampson, 30, signed with the Reds last month, but his time in Cincinnati was short-lived. He played in just nine games, hitting 3-for-18 with a double, a walk, and six strikeouts. His versatility has kept him in the major leagues for parts of eight seasons. Originally drafted by the Rockies in 2016, he had a promising debut in 2018, which set high expectations for him as a prospect. However, his performance dipped, and he struggled between 2019 and 2022, batting just .233.

After being released by the Rockies, Hampson signed with the Marlins and experienced his best season, hitting .276 across 98 games. Unfortunately, since then, his numbers have declined again. In the past two years, he’s only managed a .218 average over 140 games. The Reds now have a week to trade him or risk losing him to free agency, should he choose to reject an outright assignment.

On the other hand, Hinds, who made his MLB debut last year, has shown flashes of power, hitting five homers in just 24 games. However, he’s struggled significantly this season, with a batting average of .158 and a strikeout rate of 36.6%. If he can refine his hitting, he has the potential to be a valuable asset for the Reds.

Candelario’s situation is also noteworthy. The 31-year-old has been on the injured list since April due to a back issue. After playing 15 games on a rehab assignment, the Reds decided to pull him from it. He has struggled significantly, hitting just .113 before being sidelined.

Expert insights suggest that the Reds might benefit from focusing on developing younger talent moving forward. MLB analyst Sarah Langs points out that as teams build for the future, they often prioritize players with high potential over those who might simply offer experience.

In today’s game, versatility is crucial. Players who can fill multiple roles, like Hampson and Hinds, are valuable, but performance must back up that flexibility. Recent data reveals that teams have increasingly relied on utility players, with nearly 60% of MLB teams using them regularly, showing their importance in roster construction.

The Reds are at an interesting crossroads, needing to decide how to best utilize their roster and what steps to take next. With young talents like Hinds stepping up, there might be a brighter future on the horizon for Cincinnati.



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