Cincinnati Reds Release Outfielder Peyton Burdick Following Struggles and Injury-Plagued Season

The Cincinnati Reds have officially parted ways with outfielder Peyton Burdick, a move that slightly diminishes their outfield depth in the minor leagues. After joining the organization midseason, Burdick made headlines briefly but ultimately struggled to produce consistently, leading to his release.

Burdick, who began the 2024 season in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization, was claimed off waivers by the Reds in April and assigned to Triple-A Louisville. A month later, he made waves with an unforgettable highlight: a 500-foot home run on May 21st, the longest home run hit across all levels of professional baseball in 2024. For context, the longest home run in the major leagues last season measured 480 feet.

Despite that memorable blast, Burdick’s time with Louisville was marred by inconsistency at the plate. In 47 games, he hit just .189/.291/.341 with 80 strikeouts in 189 plate appearances. His struggles were not new, as he posted similar numbers during his 16-game stint with the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk earlier in the season.

The Reds placed Burdick on waivers in July, but he went unclaimed and was outrighted back to Triple-A. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he landed on the injured list in early August and did not return to action for the remainder of the year.

Burdick, a Batavia, Ohio native and a 2019 third-round draft pick by the Miami Marlins out of Wright State, showed flashes of potential during his career. He played 46 games in the majors with the Marlins in 2022 and 2023, hitting five home runs but failing to establish himself as a consistent contributor.

December releases like Burdick’s are somewhat of a mixed bag in baseball. While it’s not uncommon for players to be let go during this time, such moves are often associated with opportunities to pursue careers overseas. So far, no reports have indicated that Burdick has signed with an international club, though the possibility remains.

For the Reds, Burdick’s release clears a roster spot as they prepare for 2025. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old outfielder will be looking for a fresh start, hoping to reignite his career elsewhere. Whether that’s in another organization or abroad, Burdick’s raw power and athleticism could still open doors for future opportunities.