Reds Secure Minor League Deal with Michael Chavis
The Cincinnati Reds have announced a minor league deal with infielder Michael Chavis, as reported by Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. This agreement includes an invitation for Chavis to participate in spring training camp.
Michael Chavis’s Journey
The 30-year-old Chavis returns to North America following a short stint with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. He joined the Nippon Professional Baseball team in July, but struggled to find his form, posting a dismal batting average of .171, alongside a .267 on-base percentage and a .352 slugging percentage over 38 games.
A Promising Start
Initially a highly regarded prospect, Chavis was selected by the Boston Red Sox as the 26th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. His career took off in 2017 when he hit 31 home runs in the minor leagues. Baseball America recognized his potential, ranking him #85 among prospects heading into the 2018 season.
Major League Career
Chavis made his major league debut in 2019, where he showcased his power by hitting 18 home runs in 382 plate appearances. However, this achievement was somewhat marred by the use of juiced balls that season. Despite his power, he struggled with a high strikeout rate of 33.2%.
- Total Major League plate appearances: 1,186
- Career strikeout rate: 31.9%
- Walk rate: 5.4%
- Total home runs: 42
- Batting line: .238/.283/.401 (80 wRC+)
Chavis’s performance has placed him 20% below the league average. Despite these challenges, he has maintained much stronger minor league statistics, hitting .270 with a .339 on-base rate and a .483 slugging percentage in 740 Triple-A plate appearances since the start of 2024.
Reds’ Roster Outlook
The Reds’ roster presents a mix of established players and developing talent. Matt McLain was considered for the second base role, but missed the entire 2024 season due to injury and struggled offensively upon his return. Sal Stewart has played multiple positions but only has 58 big league plate appearances.
With Ke’Bryan Hayes expected to secure third base after a trade in 2025, Stewart’s potential move to first could shift Spencer Steer to the outfield. Meanwhile, both Christian Encarnacion-Strand and other players are also competing for roles in the corner infield spots.
Chavis’s signing provides the Reds with veteran depth and flexibility as they navigate their positional needs. With one option remaining, he can easily be sent back to the minors if necessary.
