GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Individual drills in the desert gave way Monday to the Reds’ first full-team workout together in Spring Training.
The clubhouse opened with a players’ meeting before the squad headed out to the field for stretching and conditioning. The Reds’ Cactus League opener is just five days away.
“It’s exciting since everyone’s together, everyone’s on the same schedule, everyone’s officially here,” said third-year big leaguer Spencer Steer, who led the 82-80 Reds with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2023. “It’s just one step closer to getting this thing going. Feels like the first day of school.”
Steer, 26, is among a group of 11 players jockeying for outfield roles. Steer, Jose Barrero, Will Benson, Conner Capel, Blake Dunn, Stuart Fairchild, Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Rece Hinds, Jacob Hurtubise and Bubba Thompson worked together as a group in Monday’s first outfielder drills.
The Reds also have the enticing prospect of an all-left-handed outfield core in Fraley, Benson and Friedl. The trio led all team outfielders in games played and at-bats a year ago, and Friedl batted a robust .354 against left-handed pitching.
While an all-lefty outfield is “an easy thing to look at,” manager David Bell said, other factors will dictate moves.
“It becomes a matter of, 'Do guys need a day off? Do we have other players that need to be playing? Do we have other players that have proven [themselves] and excelled?' It’s the balance of winning that day versus the long-term development,” Bell said. “I wouldn’t say [an all left-handed outfield] wouldn’t happen.”
Steer, meanwhile, is making the transition from infield to outfield in 2024. Though he did make 38 outfield starts for the Reds last season, it feels like a lot less to him.
“I’ve never played there my whole life,” Steer said. “For me, it’s just getting more reps, honestly. The chemistry part -- most of the position guys, we spend a lot of time together in the cage, so no problems there.”
Steer has played at third and first base in 149 of his 184 games with Cincinnati in the two years since the club acquired him, along with first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, in the Tyler Mahle deal with the Twins at the 2022 Trade Deadline.
“The more reps I’m doing out there, the more comfortable I’m getting,” Steer said. “That’s a big focus for me, just getting as many fly balls as I can.”
Steer joins a crowded outfield group that became even more so last week, when the Reds claimed Thompson off waivers after the Twins designated him for assignment. There are five left-handed batters in all, and Friedl was eager to see who fits where on Monday’s first full workout.
“We get a lot of individual time in the outfield to learn each [spot] and learn the other guys,” said Friedl, whose .279 average led everyday Reds players a year ago, along with an .819 OPS that was a tick behind Steer’s team-best .820 mark. “That’s when you start building that camaraderie out there and set a foundation.”
The Reds’ opening Cactus League game will take place Saturday against their Goodyear Ballpark mates, the Guardians, at 1:05 p.m. MT.
First up, though, was everyone getting together again Monday.
“It’s a special feeling. It’s something I'll never take for granted, to be in a room with that many good guys,” Bell said. “We’ve all been part of good teams, but it’s a little different, the level of connection and trust already. It’s a good place to start.”
