Should Austin Wynns DH For The Cincinnati Reds OVER Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer? | CBox Reds [m8E13l8GsTt]
Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby DEBATE if Austin Wynns should start over Spencer Steer and Jeimer Candelario at Designated Hitter while he is hot. Austin Wynns, the Cincinnati Reds’ backup catcher, has sparked debate about his potential as a designated hitter (DH) following a remarkable 2025 season start. With a historic six-hit performance against the Baltimore Orioles on April 20, 2025, and a line-drive home run in a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on April 23, Wynns is hitting .500 with 13 hits, 11 RBIs, and a 1.227 OPS through limited at-bats. His recent surge raises the question: should Wynns take DH at-bats over Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer? Wynns’ case for DH is compelling but nuanced. His .455/.500/.727 slash line over 27 plate appearances showcases elite contact skills and surprising power, with three home runs in 2025 compared to zero in 2024. His six-hit game matched a Reds franchise record and made him the sixth catcher in MLB history to achieve the feat. Defensively, Wynns has been stellar, guiding pitchers like Brady Singer to strong outings. His situational hitting—moving runners and capitalizing on counts—adds versatility, making him a potential DH fit in specific matchups. However, Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer present formidable competition. Candelario, a switch-hitting veteran, offers consistent power and a .250/.320/.450 career slash line, with 22 home runs in 2024. His experience and ability to hit from both sides provide lineup flexibility, though his 2025 numbers are yet to match Wynns’ hot start. Steer, a rising star, hit .272 with 20 homers in 2024 and plays multiple positions, making him a cornerstone for Cincinnati. His youth and upside outweigh Wynns’ current streak in long-term planning. Both players’ established roles and larger sample sizes temper the argument for Wynns as a regular DH. Wynns’ limitations also factor in. At 34, his career .229 average and minimal power (11 HRs in 614 at-bats before 2025) suggest his current production may be an outlier. His role as a backup catcher to Jose Trevino limits his at-bats, and overexposure could reveal weaknesses against top-tier pitching. The Reds’ DH spot, often rotated among players like Austin Hays (who hit four RBIs in his 2025 debut), demands consistent offensive output, which Wynns’ small sample size doesn’t yet guarantee. Strategically, Wynns could serve as a situational DH against certain pitchers or in doubleheaders to preserve Candelario and Steer’s defensive stamina. His recent metrics—60% hard-hit rate, 13.3% barrel rate, and .427 xwOBA—rival elite hitters, but sustaining this over a full season is uncertain. For now, Wynns’ value lies in his catcher role and occasional DH appearances, not supplanting Candelario or Steer. In conclusion, while Wynns’ 2025 breakout makes him a fascinating DH candidate, Candelario and Steer’s proven track records and positional flexibility keep them ahead. Wynns should get selective DH opportunities, but the Reds’ long-term strategy favors their established stars. Chatterbox Reds is your home for coverage all season long for the Cincinnati Reds with LIVE postgame shows after EVERY game on YouTube, and NEW podcasts the morning after every game (including weekends)! SUBSCRIBE to the channel and turn on notifications to ensure you never miss a thing! PODCAST LINKS: Apple Podcast: Spotify: Amazon Music: Google Podcast: iHeart Radio: Stitcher: Castbox: Player FM: Andrew Abbott, Julian Aguiar, Graham Ashcraft, Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagán, Fernando Cruz, Alexis Díaz, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Tony Santillan, Carson Spiers, Brent Suter, Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, Tyler Stephenson, José Trevino, Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Santiago Espinal, Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Ríos, Will Benson, TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, Stuart Fairchild, Austin Hays, Spencer Steer, Jacob Hurtubise, Blake Dunn, Cooper Bowman Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals