JJ Bleday, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds this past offseason after being cut by the Athletics last year, began the season determined to revitalize his young career, but he wasn’t included on the Opening Day roster. “Yeah I was bummed at first,” Bleday said. Starting the year in Triple-A was challenging, but Bleday stayed focused on his approach. “Trust in yourself. Have your swing, have your approach and really stick to it,” he said. Bleday was eventually called up to the Reds in late April, and since then, he has been one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball. He credits his success to his daughter, Brooke, who was born in November. “I’m already wrapped around her finger,” Bleday said. JJ and his wife, Emily, welcomed Brooke last fall, and Bleday admitted that Emily handled most of the baby book reading. “I love being a girl dad. Being able to hold her for the first time and see her smile and just see her eyes open, it’s incredible,” he said. Brooke, now seven months old, has an entire wardrobe of red and has only missed one of her dad’s games. While she sneaks in mid-game naps, knowing his daughter has been in the stands from Arizona to Louisville to Cincinnati has been meaningful for Bleday. “She lights him up. I actually think she’s helped him. We’ve got the dad strength cooking,” Emily said. This weekend, Bleday will celebrate his first Father’s Day playing in front of his daughter, marking a special milestone in his journey. “It’s going to feel great, it’s going to feel special. I just look forward to the years to come,” Bleday said.

CINCINNATI —

JJ Bleday, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds this past offseason after being cut by the Athletics last year, began the season determined to revitalize his young career, but he wasn’t included on the Opening Day roster.

“Yeah I was bummed at first,” Bleday said.

Starting the year in Triple-A was challenging, but Bleday stayed focused on his approach.

“Trust in yourself. Have your swing, have your approach and really stick to it,” he said.

Bleday was eventually called up to the Reds in late April, and since then, he has been one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball.

He credits his success to his daughter, Brooke, who was born in November.

“I’m already wrapped around her finger,” Bleday said.

JJ and his wife, Emily, welcomed Brooke last fall, and Bleday admitted that Emily handled most of the baby book reading.

“I love being a girl dad. Being able to hold her for the first time and see her smile and just see her eyes open, it’s incredible,” he said.

Brooke, now seven months old, has an entire wardrobe of red and has only missed one of her dad’s games. While she sneaks in mid-game naps, knowing his daughter has been in the stands from Arizona to Louisville to Cincinnati has been meaningful for Bleday.

“She lights him up. I actually think she’s helped him. We’ve got the dad strength cooking,” Emily said.

This weekend, Bleday will celebrate his first Father’s Day playing in front of his daughter, marking a special milestone in his journey.

“It’s going to feel great, it’s going to feel special. I just look forward to the years to come,” Bleday said.