Cincinnati Reds spring training preview, pitchers and catchers report dates

Spring training is a few short weeks away. Let’s preview what this year’s Cincinnati Reds squad will look like when the team descends on Goodyear, Arizona.

Baseball is back…almost. With just 26 days until pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Cincinnati Reds fans are gearing up for what everyone is hoping to be a return to the postseason. After an offseason full of free agent signings and trade rumors, let’s preview what Reds Country has to look forward to in just a few short weeks.

The 2020 season has all the makings of a return to the postseason for the Cincinnati Reds. The front office made a shrewd trade last July and acquired former Cleveland Indians starter Trevor Bauer. This offseason, Dick Williams and Nick Krall already made history by signing Shogo Akiyama to a three-year deal. Akiyama will be the first Japanese-born player to suit up for the Reds.

In addition, Cincinnati’s front office swung for the fences, and brought former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Mike Moustakas to the Queen City. Moose is expected to get everyday playing time at second base, while last season’s team-leader in virtually every offensive category, Eugenio Suárez, will be back at the hot corner.

Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear on Saturday, February 13th. Fans are expecting to see Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo put up similar numbers to what they saw from the right-handers in 2019. If so, you could be looking at two legitimate NL Cy Young candidates, and that’s not even taking into consideration the possibility of Bauer returning to his 2018 form.

Joining them in the rotation is another former Milwaukee Brewer, left-hander Wade Miley. Miley pitched for the Brew Crew back in 2018, en route to the team’s division championship. Last season, Miley put up  phenomenal numbers for the Houston Astros, until a horrendous September cost Miley a spot on the playoff roster.

Position players report to camp on February 16th, with full squad workouts beginning on February 18th. Reds fans are hoping to see former MVP Joey Votto regain some of his swagger. Votto has been a shell of himself the past two seasons, raising questions about his longevity. The six-time All-Star has four years and $100M remaining on his contract.

The Reds have invited 17 non-roster players to join the team in Goodyear thus far, and more names could pop up in the coming days. Former first-round picks Jonathan India and Nick Lodolo headline the players with a non-roster invite, but former Texas Rangers third baseman Matt Davidson may be the player with the best chance to land a spot on the 26-man roster.

The Reds first Cactus League game will take place on Saturday, February 22nd against the Cleveland Indians. The Reds will play 32 spring games before playing one final opponent on March 23rd. Cincinnati will then return home to play on March 26th against last year’s division champs, the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cincinnati Reds spring training is just a few short weeks away, but the anticipation is growing on a daily basis. Williams and Krall have put together a competitive team, and the front office, along with the fanbase are looking forward to seeing October baseball in the Queen City next season.