The Cincinnati Reds are on a roll right now, taking four straight wins and the Ohio Cup after a series sweep of the Cleveland Guardians. One X-factor for the team is TJ Friedl, who continues to improve year-by-year and is putting himself in the running to be an All-Star.
All-Star this man!@TjFriedl1
https://t.co/HKf2mrrBht pic.twitter.com/6XPZA7xg54
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 9, 2025
TJ Friedl Proving Himself All-Star Worthy
Friedl’s 2023 Season
In 2023, TJ Friedl broke out in a big way, posting 3.5 bWAR in 138 games, completely leaping his previous high of 0.5. He slashed .279/.352/.467 for an .819 OPS and 117 OPS, a season that deemed him worthy of a 23rd-place finish in the National League MVP race. He was truly an all-around player this season, as he was 89th percentile in OAA with five and 74th percentile in sprint speed, awarding him with 27 stolen bases.
2023 Metrics:
.240 xBA – (28th percentile)
.321 xSLG – (3rd percentile)
86.7 Avg Exit Velocity – (11th percentile)
27.6 Hard-Hit% – (5th percentile)
24.6 Chase% – (76th percentile)
18.4 Whiff% – (87th percentile)
16.2 K% – (85th percentile)
8.5 BB% – (52nd percentile)
His poor contact quality shows possible regression in offensive performance in the future, but his strong eye and contact ability at the plate provided reassurance that his baseline performance should still be serviceable.
2024 Season
As previously mentioned, Friedl struggled in 2024, posting just 0.5 bWAR in 85 games played. He slashed .226/.310/.380 for a .690 OPS and 87 OPS+. His defense and baserunning both took a massive dip as he recorded -4 OAA (14th percentile) and was in the 26th percentile in sprint speed. As mentioned, his metrics stayed essentially the same as the previous season, and his numbers declined.
2024 Metrics:
.228 xBA – (20th percentile)
.318 xSLG – (5th percentile)
86.0 Avg Exit Velocity – (6th percentile)
31.5 Hard-Hit% – (12th percentile)
24.0 Chase% – (78th percentile)
17.9 Whiff% – (86th percentile)
15.2 K% – (87th percentile)
7.6 BB% – (45th percentile)
2025 Season
Coming into 2025, Friedl’s performance was heavily counted on in order for the lineup to be formidable. The Reds outfield was one of their weakest position groups in 2024, and if Friedl continued his 2024 struggles, a change would most likely have to be made in order for the lineup to improve, whether it be outside help (trades/signings) or a call up from Triple-A to replace the underwhelming performances.
While Friedl’s season started out rough, he has turned it around tremendously. In 2025, Friedl has already recorded 1.9 bWAR in 63 games, easily surpassing his 0.5 mark from 2024, and in fewer games as well.
He is currently slashing .295/.384/.432 for an .815 OPS and 123 OPS+, which would be his highest OPS+ to date (if the season ended today). His defense has seemingly gotten back to his usual level as he has 1 OAA this year (76th percentile).
2025 Metrics:
.255 xBA – (44th percentile)
.339 xSLG – (11th percentile)
87.0 Avg Exit Velocity – (12th percentile)
30.2 Hard-Hit% – (9th percentile)
17.8 Chase% – (98th percentile)
15.9 Whiff% – (89th percentile)
15.3 K% – (84th percentile)
11.7 BB% – (81st percentile)
His plate discipline has reached another level this season as he’s walking more than ever and chasing less than ever. While his batted ball metrics have remained essentially the same, his production is once again at his 2023 level, rebutting the fluke allegations regarding his breakout 2023 season.
TJ Friedl’s Impact
It has been an amazing resurgence for Friedl and the Reds, especially with how poor the season began for him. It hasn’t been a smooth sailing first season for the Reds under the reigns of their new manager Terry Francona, as they immediately started the year off on the wrong foot, blowing a ninth-inning lead to the San Francisco Giants who handed Cincinnati a sour first loss of the year on Opening Day. They have been teetering around the .500 mark all season, and many fans questioned the decision to continue to hit Friedl leadoff early in the season when he was in the midst of his struggles.
However, TJ Friedl’s turnaround to his now All-Star form has given the Reds lineup an extra jolt, which should be back in full force soon when Austin Hays returns.
Photo Credit: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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