Cincinnati Reds can see the light thanks to series against Nationals

When Dusty Baker came to town with the Washington Nationals, the Cincinnati Reds could see where they were headed.

The Cincinnati Reds may be five years behind the Nationals, but you can see some similarities already.  Taking a wide view, the similarities are shocking.  It’s just tough to see it up close.

The obvious comparison and timeline starts at the hot corner.  Anthony Rendon of the Nationals came out of Rice and the Reds’ first round pick last year, Nick Senzel, rates as a great comparison.  Both were elite hitters in college who were capable of playing both second and third.

Staying at the hot corner, Eugenio Suarez resembles a young Ryan Zimmerman.  Zimmerman was a touch more polished when he arrived in Washington, but Suarez had to deal with changing positions.  Projecting into the future, Senzel will bump Suarez off of third, likely to a corner outfield spot and/or first base once Joey Votto retires.

Shortstop is another position where the comparisons could get uncanny.  With the drafting of Hunter Greene last month the Reds have a shortstop every bit as physically talented as the Nationals phenom Trea Turner.  Greene should be ready for the majors about the time the Reds are ready to win the World Series.

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Joey Votto won’t be around for the Cincinnati Reds and Billy Hamilton may not be either when the team is ready to win.

This is five years out.  By then at best Votto will be on the bench.  More likely he will retire by then or become a part-time DH in Toronto.

Hamilton will leave too.  He could leave as early as this off-season.  He doesn’t hit enough for the Reds to pay what his defense and steals will cost in the open market.

Who, then, is the Reds’ Bryce Harper?  Is Jesse Winker a middle of the order hitter that can carry an offense?  Can Aristides Aquino turn into that sort of offensive force?

On the pitching front the Reds have several pitchers that could end up being their version of Stephen Strasburg.  Tyler Mahle appears the most likely, but Amir Garrett and Luis Castillo will both have something to say about that.  The Reds may have to rely more heavily on their farm system to load up the pitching staff.

Next: Who will be in the rotation at the end of the season?

The Reds should be competitive beginning next year, just like the Milwaukee Brewers are this year.  It will take awhile before they are World Series contenders, though.  In the meantime watching Votto isn’t such a way to spend the summertime.