Cincinnati Reds: Projecting the batting order after adding Shogo Akiyama

The Cincinnati Reds reportedly signed Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a three-year deal. What might next year’s batting order look like?

While not yet confirmed by the team, the Cincinnati Reds have reportedly signed outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a three-year deal. Able to play virtually any outfield spot, it’s not yet known where Akiyama may lineup defensively, one can assume that he’ll bat at or near the top of the batting order. What might the remainder of the Reds lineup look like?

For argument’s sake, let’s assume that Nick Senzel is still part of the Reds on Opening Day next season and that he’ll be playing in the outfield. Under that premise, it’s likely that Senzel will play virtually every day and man center field.

Under that same idea, one can assume that Akiyama may find a home in left field. After slashing .303/.392/.471 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs while playing for the Seibu Lions in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, Akiyama has primarily been a centerfielder, but has the ability to play all three outfield spots.

Given Shogo Akiyama’s .376 career on-base percentage, I’d look for the Reds to be placing him as the team’s leadoff hitter. No one on last year’s team really grabbed the top spot in the batting order, so having a player with very high OBP like Akiyama would be welcomed atop Cincinnati’s batting order.

Though he had a down year in 2019, Joey Votto is still likely to snag the No. 2 spot in the batting order for the Cincinnati Reds. Votto, like Shogo Akiyama, has a longstanding high on-base percentage throughout his career, and I can’t see anyone unseating the veteran first baseman from his spot in the batting order.

Eugenio Suárez has the No. 3 spot on lock down. Falling behind only New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso in the home run race last season, everyone should expect Geno to maintain his stranglehold on the third spot in the batting order. Perhaps Suárez can break the career-high in homers (49) that he smashed last year.

The cleanup spot may be up for grabs between a Reds newcomer and last year’s most entertaining rookie. Mike Moustakas and Aristides Aquino bring the power that Cincinnati will be looking for in the No. 4 spot. Given that Aquino may be splitting time with fellow outfielder Jesse Winker, we’ll give the nod to Moose.

With No. 1 through No. 4 in the batting order spoken for, the No. 5 spot will likely fall to whoever is manning right field. Given the platoon that we watched David Bell employ last season, one should assume we’ll see the same thing in 2020. With either Winker or The Punisher occupying the fifth spot in the order, Bell has a left or right-handed bat he can deploy based on the starting pitcher.

Assuming Nick Senzel is not traded, he’ll likely take the No. 6 spot in the batting order. The leadoff spot brought mixed reviews, and the addition of Shogo Akiyama basically knocks Senzel back to the sixth spot. It might not be a bad thing, as Senzel saw more at-bats in the No. 6 hole than any other spot in the batting order outside of the leadoff spot.

The No. 7 spot in the batting order, we’re giving to Tucker Barnhart. Some may scoff at that idea, but Barnhart showed, after his return from the injured list, what he’s capable of at the plate. Barnhart has a career-OBP of .328, which is exactly the number he put up in 2019 after a horrendous start. Look for a bounce-back year from the Reds catcher.

Finally, Freddy Galvis, if he’s still the team’s starting shortstop, brings up the rear in the Cincinnati batting order. However, a lot of ball clubs would love to have a shortstop capable of 20-plus homers hitting No. 8 in their lineup. If no other upgrades come this winter, Galvis is likely to start Opening Day as the team’s shortstop.

So there you have it. While I still expect the Reds to make some more move as the offseason progresses, the lineup appears to have all of its bases covered. I still wouldn’t rule out a trade for a player like Francisco Lindor, but for now, this could be a solid starting eight for the Cincinnati Reds.