The 2024 season was one Reds top star might prefer to forget. After signing with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent, he struggled early on, batting just .216/.284/.379 through the team’s first 48 games—far below expectations for both him and the club. He did manage to catch fire for a stretch between May 22 and June 23, posting a .308/.342/.664 line over 27 games, during which he hit 10 home runs and recorded 17 extra-base hits. However, his hot streak was followed by a prolonged slump; over his next 43 games, his OPS dropped to a disappointing .557. His season came to an abrupt end on August 19 after suffering a fractured toe.
After a three-and-a-half-month absence, Candelario made his return to action last week, joining the Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. So far, he has played in three games, appearing every three days, and has recorded a hit in each, going 4-for-10 with a double, a walk, and a strikeout.
He went 1-for-2 with a walk. His lone hit was a blistering 104 MPH line drive that narrowly missed the pitcher before streaking into center field.
While the sample size for Jeimer Candelario is small, he has been producing at the plate. The same can’t be said for everyone in the winter league. Noelvi Marte, playing regularly for the Gigantes in the Dominican Winter League, has struggled despite a recent three-game hitting streak. His last game was on Thursday, where he went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Through 20 games, Marte is batting just .230/.301/.338 with five extra-base hits, seven walks, and 16 strikeouts in 83 plate appearances.
Outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez, who will turn 21 during spring training, also started strong for Escogido. He hit .364 over his first 12 games but has cooled off significantly, going just 5-for-26 in his last six games. This recent slump has lowered his overall line to .300/.311/.386 across 18 games.
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