Photo: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good?

To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 28th

Team Strengths

Matt McLain replaces defensively-challenged Jonathan India at second base, which should be an upgrade. In a small sample (37 games), McLain had 0 Runs Saved at second base, but in a little bit larger sample, he had 4 Runs Saved at shortstop.

Despite -8 Runs Saved last season, Austin Hays’ defense in left field could be a strength now that he’s past a calf injury and kidney infection. From 2020 to 2023, Hays had 19 Runs Saved in the equivalent of about two full seasons in left field.

Jose Trevino was added this offseason to improve the Reds backup catcher spot. His 45 Runs Saved over the last 4 seasons lead all catchers and he’s an excellent pitch framer. He should come into any game with a small lead entering the 8th or 9th inning given how much better he is defensively than anyone else the Reds have.

Most Defensive Runs Saved – Catchers

Last 4 Seasons

 Team Weaknesses

The Reds need Tyler Stephenson’s bat, as his 2024 OPS as a catcher was more than  250 points higher than his backup, Luke Maile. But Stephenson could stand to improve behind the plate, where his -19 Runs Saved over the last two seasons ranked 3rd-worst among catchers. 

Jeimer Candelario is penciled in at third base, where for his career he’s at -25 Runs Saved. Center field is another position where the numbers don’t look good. T.J. Friedl has -10 Runs Saved in the equivalent of about 1 1/2 seasons for his career.

Other Things To Know

We didn’t list Elly De La Cruz as a strength or a weakness. For those unfamiliar, De La Cruz is among the players on whom Defensive Runs Saved and MLB’s Fielding Run Value (an offshoot of Outs Above Average) differ most strongly.

De La Cruz totaled -2 Runs Saved last season, as the stat recognized his excellence on plays in the 56 hole, but penalized him significantly for failing to make as many plays as expected on balls hit up the middle. He also didn’t rate well at turning double plays.

At the moment, he’s a high-risk, high-reward defensive player who will make both great plays and frustrating mistakes. He has the skills to be quite good. Maybe this year his Runs Saved will show that.

Are The Reds A Good Defensive Team?

No, because the positives don’t offset the negatives and because they have one good starting defender at the four up-the-middle positions.