ESPN Ranks Reds Lineup Among MLB's Worst Despite Offseason Moves

Reds fans and experts dispute the low ranking, arguing the team's lineup is better than analysts suggest.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape representing the fragmented perspectives on the Reds' lineup.ESPN's controversial ranking of the Reds' lineup sparks a fractured debate over the team's offensive potential.Cincinnati Today

ESPN's baseball analyst Bradford Doolittle has ranked the Cincinnati Reds' lineup 24th out of 30 MLB teams in his preseason evaluation, a controversial decision that has left many Reds fans and experts puzzled. Despite the team's recent acquisition of All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez, Doolittle's ranking places the Reds below several other teams that many believe have inferior offensive firepower.

Why it matters

The Reds' lineup has been a point of contention for years, with the team often feeling disrespected by national media assessments. This latest low ranking from ESPN adds fuel to the fire, as Cincinnati looks to prove its offense can compete with the league's best in the 2026 season.

The details

Doolittle's ranking system considered factors like patience and depth, but many feel his evaluation lacks insight into the Reds' true potential. While the team may have some uncertainties, such as the batting order around rising star Elly De La Cruz and the performance of Sal Stewart, ranking them below teams like the Angels, Twins, and even the Pirates has drawn heavy criticism.

  • The Reds' 2026 season is set to begin in April.
  • ESPN released its preseason lineup rankings in early April 2026.

The players

Bradford Doolittle

An ESPN baseball analyst who authored the controversial Reds lineup ranking.

Eugenio Suárez

An All-Star third baseman acquired by the Reds in the offseason to bolster their lineup.

Elly De La Cruz

A rising star in the Reds' lineup who is expected to play a key role in 2026.

Sal Stewart

A Reds player whose performance is seen as crucial to the team's offensive success in the upcoming season.

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What’s next

The Reds will have the opportunity to prove ESPN's ranking wrong when they take the field for the 2026 season. All eyes will be on the team's lineup performance, especially early in the year, as they look to silence the critics and show they are a force to be reckoned with in the National League.

The takeaway

This latest low ranking from ESPN adds to the Reds' long-standing feeling of being disrespected by national media assessments of their lineup. The team will be highly motivated to prove their offense can compete with the league's best, and their performance in 2026 will go a long way in determining whether ESPN's evaluation was accurate or severely misguided.