AdminSpencer Steer has been coming through in big moments recently, and it looks as though he’s starting to regain the form that made him a fan favorite in Cincinnati.
His most recent example came Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs, when Steer launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning to put the Reds ahead for good. That swing not only secured a crucial series victory over a division rival but also reminded Reds fans of the kind of impact player he can be when healthy and confident.
Early in 2025, Steer’s struggles were evident. A rough stretch at the plate had many wondering when he’d find his rhythm. But manager Terry Francona never lost faith, sticking with him through the tough stretch. After Tuesday’s heroics, Francona spoke candidly about Steer in a way that confirmed what most Reds supporters already knew.
In a postgame interview with FanDuel Sports Network’s Jim Day, Steer addressed his rocky start. “What happened in the past happened in the past,” Steer said. “I’m just trying to find a way to be a tough out that day and help the team win.”
Day later spoke with Francona, who offered some important context to Steer’s early-season struggles. “If you take his first 50-60 at-bats away, his numbers aren’t down,” Francona explained. “And he did that because he’s a team guy. He probably shouldn’t have been playing. So, he’s the guy he is right now.”
Those comments shed light on what many had overlooked. Steer had been dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in spring training, which nearly kept him off the Opening Day roster. But when Austin Hays went down, Steer was thrust into the lineup as a designated hitter despite not being fully healthy.
Once he was able to get back into the field in late April, the results followed. If you remove those first 59 plate appearances, as Francona suggested, Steer’s numbers look much more like his established track record: .260/.324/.424 with a 105 wRC+. That’s nearly identical to the .245/.335/.425 line with a 106 wRC+ he posted over his first two-plus seasons in the majors.
It’s a clear sign that Francona’s faith was well placed. Baseball has a way of evening out over the long haul, and Steer’s turnaround is proving that old adage true. With two months left in the season, Reds fans are hopeful that his resurgence continues as the team pushes for its first postseason appearance since 2020.
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