Spencer Steer, the Cincinnati Reds‘ projected starting left fielder for 2025, is one of the most intriguing players in the league. His versatility, plate discipline, and speed make him an interesting player to look out for in 2025.
Spencer Steer: The Reds’ Everyman
Steer’s Offense
Debuting in 2022, when he played 28 games, Steer burst onto the scene in 2023, where he slashed .271/.356/.464 for a .820 OPS and 117 wRC+. He followed that up by taking a step back in 2024, slashing .225/.319/.402 for a .721 OPS and a 96 wRC+. While he took a noticeable step down from 2023 to 2024, there remains optimism that he can return to the 2023 form in 2025.
In 2024, Steer walked and struck out at a similar rate as he did in 2023, with an 11.0 BB% (83rd percentile) and a 20.9 K% (55th percentile). His plate discipline continued to be elite, as he chased out of the zone just 24.8% of the time (75th percentile).
Steer’s contact quality in 2023 was not spectacular, and it took a dip in 2024. Most notable in this department was his average exit velocity, which was at 88.7 MPH (37th percentile) in 2023 and 88.0 MPH (26th percentile) in 2024. His batted ball metrics were essentially identical as well. In 2023, Steer had a 19.5 LD% (line drive rate), 37.6 GB% (ground ball rate), and a 43.0 FB% (fly ball rate). In 2024, Steer had an 18.3 LD%, 37.4 GB%, and a 44.3 FB%.
However, there is optimism that his 2023 season was not a fluke as he maintained his plate discipline and contact abilities, with the only difference being a slight dip in power. He still put 20 balls over the fence, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, swiped 25 bags as well, placing him in the 20-20 club. Offensive numbers aside, Steer is a perennial 20-20 guy year in and year out, and it is a great sign that he was still able to reach those marks in a down year.
Steer’s Defensive Versatility
While the team currently lists Steer as a first baseman and outfielder, his versatility stretches beyond those two positions. In 2024, he played 102 games in left field, 63 at first base, seven at second base, three in right field, and one at shortstop.
Here is how he performed in his three most played positions:
1B: 495.0 innings | 0.4 UZR | -1 OAA | 2 DRS
2B: 26.o innings | 0.4 UZR | 0 OAA | 0 DRS
LF: 774.0 innings | -5.3 UZR | -4 OAA | -3 DRS
Despite it being his weakest position, Steer is expected to be the everyday left fielder with occasional appearances at first base in 2025. Second base is clogged with Matt McLain, Gavin Lux, and Santiago Espinal, with first base being occupied by a platoon between Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario.
The Reds have plenty of infield depth, leaving Spencer Steer as a primary left fielder with the ability to make spot starts at other infield positions. With roster construction often made in consideration of possible injuries, having Steer as a replacement in multiple positions despite him having the skill of an everyday player is a luxury most teams do not have.
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