Breaking Down the Reds’ Winners and Losers After Week One

The Reds are 3-3 through the first week of the 2026 season. While it's not ideal, it also could be much worse and there are still 159 games remaining.

Let's take a look at the winners and losers through the first week of the season.

Winner - Sal Stewart

Stewart has been one of, if not the hottest player in Major League Baseball to start the season. In 26 plate appearances, Stewart is 9-19 with seven walks and five extra-base hits. His seven walks lead the league.

Reds fans already had high hopes for Stewart, but through the first week of the season, all he’s done is raise the bar even higher.

Without Stewart, the Reds could be in a much worse spot than 3-3.

Loser - Emilio Pagan

Mar 29, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan (15) reacts with catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) after the victory over the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

After re-signing with the Reds over the offseason, it's been a disappointing start to the season for Reds closer Emilio Pagan.

In his first outing of the season, Pagan blew a save against the Red Sox. He bounced back the next day, recording his first save of the season. In Wednesday's loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pagan gave up four runs on three hits in an inning of work. Through three appearances, Pagan has given up five runs on five hits, including two home runs.

Emilio Pagan landed a $10 million deal this offseason, and the Reds need him to start pitching like it.

Winner - Graham Ashcraft

Mar 30, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft (23) reacts after a play in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Ashcraft has been one of the most impressive arms out of the bullpen through the first week of the season. In four appearances, the veteran right-hander has given up just one run on two hits, while striking out eight batters.

His expected batting average against sits at just .126, putting him in the top eight percent across all of Major League Baseball.

His slider has yet to be hit hard and is generating a staggering 66.7 whiff percentage.

If Ashcraft continues to look like this, there is a chance he starts to see more and more high-leverage opportunities.

Loser - TJ Friedl

Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While there are multiple Reds players who are struggling at the plate, TJ Friedl has looked terrible to start the season.

His defense looks worse. He's not hitting the ball hard. He's gotten slower. There is nothing that makes you feel optimistic about Friedl so far this year. Through one week of the season, the Reds should seriously consider taking him out of the lineup, or at the very least, moving him down in the order. There’s just no reason for TJ Friedl to be hitting leadoff right now.

We are all rooting for him, but results matter and they aren't showing up on the field for Friedl through the first week of the season.

It is worth noting Spener Steer, Tyler Stephenson, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Noelvi Marte have all really struggled at the plate thus far as well. They all need to be better.

Winner - Chase Burns

Mar 30, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (26) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

After a mediocre Spring Training, Chase Burns was everything the Reds had hoped for in his first start of the season. The former first-round pick gave up just one hit over five scoreless innings in Monday's 2-0 win over the Pirates. He struck out seven and threw an efficient 78 pitches.

Burns saw an average exit velocity against of just 83.6% in his first start. He threw 24 sliders and had a whiff percentage of 57.1.

Burns is going to have his ups and downs this season, but he was phenomenal in his first start, which the Reds are surely thrilled about.