The Cincinnati Reds are no longer a rebuilding team — they’re a team on the rise. In 2025, they posted their first winning record in five years (83-79) and punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Though the journey ended quickly in the National League Wild Card round at the hands of the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the foundation has been laid. Now, the Reds must take the next step.
A Young Core Poised for a Breakthrough
It’s clear what that step entails: build around the emerging core and infuse the roster with veteran talent. The likes of Elly De La Cruz, TJ Friedl, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Chase Burns have proven they belong. They’re young, dynamic, and ready to compete. What they need is experience around them—players who have been there before, who know what it takes to go toe-to-toe with teams like the Dodgers in October. Fortunately for Cincinnati, they also have something few other teams possess: one of the best coaching staffs in the game, led by a two-time World Series champion, Terry Francona.
Francona’s leadership in 2025 helped transform the Reds from a hopeful contender into a legitimate playoff team. And while longtime bench coach Brad Mills retired, Francona’s staff only got stronger. The promotion of Mike Napoli to assistant bench coach is more than just a staff shuffle — it could be a glimpse into the Reds’ managerial future.
Mike Napoli’s Quiet Ascent Through the Cincinnati Reds
Napoli, a former MLB slugger with 12 seasons under his belt, has been on a steady trajectory since retiring. From his early days as the Cubs’ quality assurance coach to becoming their first base coach and eventually moving to the Reds in a broader coaching role, Napoli has built his résumé the old-fashioned way. He’s hands-on, respected, and hungry.
In 2025, he played a pivotal role in developing Spencer Steer into a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman and refining the team’s offensive approach. His impact wasn’t theoretical — it translated to results on the field.
Learning from the Best, Ready for What’s Next
And while many clubs chase the latest analytics guru or front office puppet for their managerial hires, Napoli stands out for a different reason. He’s walked the walk. He’s seen how the best managers operate, learning from a spectrum of baseball minds: David Ross, Craig Counsell, and now Francona himself. Each one offered a different lens — Ross with his player-first instincts, Counsell with his analytical balance, Francona with his blend of old-school toughness and modern adaptability.
Napoli is only 44 — well within the league’s trend of younger, energetic managerial hires. With the Reds already thinking long-term and Francona under contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028, it’s entirely plausible that Napoli is being groomed as the heir apparent. The timing lines up. The résumé speaks for itself.
Cincinnati has its stars on the field. But they may also be quietly preparing to hand the keys of the clubhouse to one of baseball’s most promising managerial minds. And if Mike Napoli is indeed next in line, the Reds’ future could be as bright in the dugout as it is on the diamond.
