Reds' Ke'Bryan Hayes Struggles at the Plate

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona is open to trying anything to wake up the third baseman's bat.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:58pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the deconstructed movements of a baseball player's batting stance and swing, conceptually representing the challenges of a player struggling at the plate.A cubist interpretation of a struggling baseball player's swing highlights the complexities of balancing defensive prowess and offensive production.Cincinnati Today

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is off to a dismal start at the plate this season, batting just .061 with no RBIs through April 16. Manager Terry Francona is exploring all options, including potential animal sacrifices, to try and get Hayes' bat going.

Why it matters

The Reds are trying to balance Hayes' elite defensive skills at third base with his current offensive struggles. If he continues to hit this poorly, the team may have to consider alternatives, despite his past promise as a hitter.

The details

Through the first 16 games of the season, Hayes has an OPS of just .204, which wouldn't even be a good batting average. He hasn't recorded a hit in over two weeks and is the only everyday hitter in the Reds lineup without an RBI. Francona is open to trying unorthodox methods to try and get Hayes going at the plate.

  • Through April 16, Hayes is batting .061 on the season.

The players

Ke'Bryan Hayes

The Reds' starting third baseman, known for his elite defensive skills but currently struggling mightily at the plate.

Terry Francona

The manager of the Cincinnati Reds, who is exploring all options to try and get Hayes' bat going.

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What they’re saying

“He's up for anything to try and wake up the bat of Ke'Bryan Hayes.”

— Terry Francona, Reds Manager

What’s next

The Reds will continue to monitor Hayes' progress at the plate and may have to consider alternatives if he does not start hitting soon, despite his defensive prowess.

The takeaway

Ke'Bryan Hayes' offensive struggles are putting the Reds in a difficult position, as they try to balance his elite glove work with his lack of production at the plate. The team is open to trying unorthodox methods to get their third baseman going, but may eventually have to consider other options if he cannot turn things around.