Blake Dunn

Dunn reached the majors in 2024 but not because he forced his way there. Injuries and underperformance in Cincinnati prompted then-manager David Bell to shuffle bodies around and seek alternatives. The 26-year-old outfielder, who tore through High-A and Double-A in 2023, saw his production drop off in his first taste at the highest level of the minors. Dunn experienced a 300-point drop in OPS from Double-A to Triple-A and saw his strikeout rate (26.5 percent) increase. The silver lining is that he maintained value on the bases with 20 steals. The Reds added to the outfield during the offseason - Austin Hays - and are expected to move Matt McLain to center field. Those moves coupled with incumbent outfielders on the 40-man indicate Dunn will get a second crack at mastering Triple-A pitching. Read Past Outlooks