Former Reds First Round Pick Thriving in Double-A Chattanooga

Austin Hendrick, a 2020 first-round draft selection, is off to a hot start with the Lookouts after struggling in recent seasons.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's batting motion, with sharp planes of red, black, and white representing the dynamic movements of the swing.A cubist interpretation of a minor league baseball player's swing captures the dynamic energy and potential of a once-promising prospect finding his groove.Chattanooga Today

After a disappointing 2023 and 2024 seasons, former Cincinnati Reds first-round draft pick Austin Hendrick is off to a strong start in 2026 with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. Through the first nine games, the 24-year-old is batting .371 with four extra-base hits and has lowered his career-high strikeout rate.

Why it matters

Hendrick was a highly touted prospect when the Reds selected him 12th overall in the 2020 draft, but he has struggled to find consistent success in the minors. If he can build on his hot start and continue to improve his plate discipline, it could put him back on the path to potentially reaching the major leagues with the Reds.

The details

After slashing just .188/.243/.531 with a 36.5% strikeout rate for Chattanooga in 2024, Hendrick started to turn things around last season by cutting his strikeout rate to 32.5%. This year, he's off to an even better start, batting .371 with a .405 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage through the first nine games. His strikeout rate is currently under 30%, which would be a career-best mark.

  • Hendrick was selected 12th overall by the Reds in the 2020 MLB Draft.
  • In 2021, Hendrick had a solid rookie season with the Tortugas, slashing .211/.380/.388.
  • In 2022, Hendrick played for both the Tortugas and the High-A Dayton Dragons, posting an .739 OPS with 42 extra-base hits.
  • In 2023 and 2024, Hendrick struggled at the Double-A level, batting under .210 with high strikeout rates.
  • In 2025, Hendrick started to turn things around, batting .246/.322/.422 for Chattanooga.

The players

Austin Hendrick

A 24-year-old outfielder who was the Cincinnati Reds' first-round draft pick in 2020. After struggling in recent seasons, he is off to a hot start in 2026 with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.

Trevor Kuncl

A Reds prospect who praised Hendrick as "the greatest human being ever" and said "you just want nothing but success for him."

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What they’re saying

“He is the greatest human being ever. He is the nicest dude, you just want nothing but success for him.”

— Trevor Kuncl, Reds prospect

What’s next

If Hendrick can continue to build on his strong start and further improve his plate discipline, he could put himself back on the path to potentially reaching the major leagues with the Reds.

The takeaway

After struggling with high strikeout rates in recent seasons, former Reds first-round pick Austin Hendrick is off to a hot start in 2026 with Double-A Chattanooga, raising hopes that he may still be able to fulfill his potential and reach the major leagues.