At the start of 2019, Rece Hinds was still a senior in high school and playing baseball at IMG Academy. After a big senior campaign the Cincinnati Reds used the 49th overall pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft to select Hinds.
The Reds sent the second round pick to join the Greeneville Reds when the season began a few weeks after the draft. Rece Hinds would draw a walk in each of his first two games, but went 0-7. On June 22nd he grounded into a force out with the bases loaded, picking up an RBI on the play. But after next inning he was replaced in the field. That would be the last time he took the field during the season.
At first the injury wasn’t expected to be serious. Less than a week later he was participating in pre-game activities with the team, but every time he seemed ready to push things to “game speed”, he needed to take a step back. Eventually the Reds would shut him down for the year.
For all 2019 Season Reviews and Scouting Reports – click here (these will come out during the week throughout the offseason).
Rece Hinds Scouting Report
Position: IF | B/T: R/R
Height: 6′ 4″ | Weight: 215 lb | Drafted: 2nd Round, 2019
Born: September 5, 2000
Hitting | The hit tool is considered to be below-average.
Power | This is where Hinds shines – showing plus raw power.
Running | He’s fringe-average runner today, but likely a below-average runner in the future as he fills out his frame a little more.
Defense | Exactly where he winds up on the field is still a bit of an unknown – but he’s got the makings of a solid third baseman, or possible second baseman.
Arm | He shows an above-average arm.
There’s not much of a professional track record to look at with Rece Hinds. He had a grand total of eight at-bats before his quad injury led to missing the rest of the season.
Much of what we’re relying on is reports from before the draft. There’s plenty to like there, too. Hinds is a big, physical, strong athlete. He’s got some of the best power in the organization already and it’s certainly his calling card at this point of his career. There are some questions about how well he can handle quality secondary stuff, and without getting much time to see them as a pro, it’s going to remain a question until you can see how he responds to them.
On the defensive side of things he’s athletic enough to handle third base – he’s got a quick reaction, and plenty of arm strength to stick at the spot. Some believe that he’ll ultimately wind up having to move to a corner outfield spot, but that’s down the road if third base doesn’t work out.
Overall the perfect scenario is that the power really plays and he hit’s enough to become an All-Star caliber hitter that can remain at third base. There’s some risk involved because of the pitch recognition and how it could hold back both his hit and power tools from playing to their potential.
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