Cincinnati Reds Promote Assistant Bench Coach into Top Role

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00:00Cincinnati Reds promote assistant bench coach into top role.

00:04The Reds ended 2025 with their first winning record in five years at 83-79,

00:11reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020.

00:14Though eliminated by the eventual champion Dodgers,

00:17they established a foundation and now look toward the next step.

00:22Cincinnati's emerging core,

00:24Ellie De La Cruz, TJ Friedel, Hunter Green, Andrew Abbott, and Chase Burns,

00:28proved ready to compete.

00:30They bring youth and dynamism,

00:32needing veteran experience around them to help push deeper into October against elite opponents.

00:38The Reds also benefit from a standout coaching staff led by two-time World Series champion Terry Francona.

00:44Despite Brad Mills' retirement,

00:46the group strengthened with Mike Napoli's promotion to assistant bench coach,

00:50signaling a move with long-term implications.

00:53Napoli's coaching rise began with the Cubs as a quality assurance coach,

00:56then first-base coach, before taking on a broader Reds role.

01:00Hands-on and respected, he helped elevate Spencer Steer defensively

01:04and shaped the team's offensive approach in 2025.

01:08Napoli's experience spans mentorship under David Ross,

01:11Craig Council, and Francona,

01:13each offering distinct managerial philosophies.

01:16His playing background and exposure to varied leadership styles

01:19set him apart from trend-driven hires focused solely on analytics.

01:23At 44, Napoli fits MLB's movement toward younger, energetic managerial candidates.

01:29With Francona signed through 2027 and a club option for 2028,

01:34Cincinnati's long-term view suggests Napoli could be developing into a future managerial successor.

01:40With stars on the field and organizational alignment off it,

01:44Cincinnati may be preparing to hand the dugout's future to Napoli.

01:47If he becomes the next leader, the Reds could see sustained promise,

01:51both on the diamond and in the clubhouse.