Cincinnati Reds have four bats waiting in the wings

After a solid spring training, there are four players on the Cincinnati Reds 40 man roster that could make an impact this season.

Everyone is waiting for the top prospect of the Cincinnati Reds, Nick Senzel, to make a splash this season, after the Reds announced he is starting the season in Triple-A.  He might, but he isn’t on the forty man roster, yet, and did not impress defensively while playing multiple positions.  There are four batters that may make it to Cincinnati before Senzel.

The top name from spring training is Alex Blandino.  He has the enviable role of being the super sub in Louisville.  The Reds want him to get starter playing time, but also to see how he responds by backing up second, third, short and DH.

He will be the first player that the Reds call up, if an infielder gets injured.  The Reds also could call him up if Phil Gosselin or Cliff Pennington can’t hit enough.  Blandino just has to continue to hit himself.

The other play that could get a quick call-up is Shed Long.  Long is starting the season at Double-A Pensacola because Senzel is starting at second in Louisville.  If that weren’t the case, Long would be in Louisville already.

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If Senzel moves to third or short, Long will go up to Louisville.  Then he becomes the next man up, if Reds’ starting second baseman Scooter Gennett gets injured.  More than likely, though, Senzel will block him this season.

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While the infielders are just about ready to join the Cincinnati Reds, there is a pair of outfielders that will be ready in the second half.

Both of the outfielders in question are joining Long in Pensacola.  The name to keep an eye on for just after the All-Star break is Aristides Aquino.  He is a natural offensive weapon.

Aquino has a rare combination of speed and power.  He hit a rough patch in Double-A last year because of an increase in strikeouts.

Once he corrects that he will be in Triple-A and then just an injury or two away from Cincinnati.

The other player to watch for is Jose Siri.  He suffered an injury while playing the field in spring training, so he will likely develop more slowly.  He is the best natural slugger in the Reds’ system and could get September call-up if he continues to dominate the minors.

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Those four players are the most likely minor league hitters that will make their debut this season.  Of course, there are also those players like Senzel that could make a splash.  Whatever happens in 2018, the talent is in the minors, finally.