The Cincinnati Reds announced they have claimed outfielder Ryan Vilade off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals and have optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate. To accommodate this roster move, the Reds designated outfielder Jacob Hurtubise for assignment. This change aims to strengthen Cincinnati’s depth, particularly in the outfield, as the team navigates lineup adjustments.

Ryan Vilade’s Recent Performance and Role Expansion

Vilade was designated by the Cardinals just two days prior to being claimed by the Reds. He appeared in seven games during his short tenure on the Cardinals’ active roster. Before joining St. Louis, Vilade signed a minor league contract last December and performed well with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, posting a .280/.375/.476 slash line in 192 plate appearances. His strong showing in the minors led to his promotion in late May, though he recorded only one hit in 15 plate appearances on the major league roster.

Throughout his professional career, Vilade has struggled to establish consistent success in MLB games. Over 71 plate appearances spanning 27 big league games with the Rockies, Tigers, and Cardinals, he posted a .141/.200/.188 slash line. However, his minor league numbers remain more solid, with a .272/.353/.406 slash line covering 2,093 Triple-A plate appearances. Despite this, Vilade has yet to translate his minor league success into regular playing time or significant impact in the majors.

His defensive versatility could provide a valuable asset to the Reds. Vilade has appeared in all four infield positions in Memphis this season, including first, second, and third base, in addition to his primary role in the outfield. This flexibility may enhance his chances for bench inclusion, especially on a Reds team seeking reliable role players. Moreover, Vilade’s right-handed hitting adds variety to a Reds outfield predominantly composed of left-handed batters.

The Challenges Faced by Jacob Hurtubise on the Reds’ Roster

Jacob Hurtubise’s limited playing time with the Reds has been influenced by the team’s crowded outfield situation. The left-handed hitter has struggled offensively in his limited MLB exposure, batting just .167/.291/.212 across 83 plate appearances during his first two major league seasons. Although Hurtubise made the Reds’ Opening Day roster this year, he was soon optioned and only briefly returned in May.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by Cincinnati in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened draft, Hurtubise reached Triple-A level in 2023. However, his performance at the Reds’ top minor league affiliate, Louisville, has declined over recent years. This season, in 133 plate appearances, he has posted a .144/.336/.186 slash line, signaling diminished offensive production. Despite his exceptional speed and stealing ability in the minor leagues—accumulating 124 steals in 147 attempts—his offensive struggles have made him an expendable member of Cincinnati’s 40-man roster.

Since Hurtubise cannot reject an outright assignment, he will remain within the Reds’ organization if he clears waivers following this designation.

Implications for the Reds’ Roster and Depth Moving Forward

This roster shuffle reflects the Reds’ efforts to balance their outfield and bench options as they seek improved versatility and offensive potential. Ryan Vilade’s experience at multiple positions and right-handed bat provide potential benefits for a lineup with several left-handed hitters, while Hurtubise’s departure from the 40-man roster underscores the Reds’ prioritization of roster spots for players with more immediate impact. Cincinnati will likely continue to monitor player performance carefully to optimize their roster composition throughout the season.