Outlook JJ Bleday
JJ Bleday's May Breakout Solidifies His Role in Cincinnati's Outfield
JJ Bleday has emerged as the everyday starter in left field for the fifth-place Reds, who are battling injuries in their lineup, including the loss of superstar Elly De La Cruz. Though his bat has cooled over the last seven days to a .185 average, his NL Player of the Month honors in May highlight the massive power potential he currently brings to the offense.
His outstanding .270 batting average and 11 home runs on the year represent a massive step forward compared to his career .212 average and our conservative rest-of-season projection of .225. While his .568 slugging percentage is due for minor regression, his excellent plate discipline and locked-in everyday role make his breakout feel entirely legitimate.
For the remainder of the week, the Reds host a three-game weekend series against the Diamondbacks at home. Bleday faces a tough matchup Friday against Eduardo Rodriguez and his elite 2.52 ERA, but he has a fantastic bounce-back opportunity on Sunday against Zac Gallen and his inflated 5.81 ERA. Line him up as a confident starting option.
Updated 2 days ago
