Cincinnati Reds: Who has minor-league options remaining?

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Phillip Ervin #6 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into third base after hitting a triple in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Reds have several decisions to make once spring training begins. One question on everyone’s mind, is who has minor-league options remaining?

As spring training nears, fans often wonder who’s going to make the Opening Day roster. This year, that number jumps from 25 to 26. The number of remaining minor-league options a player has oftentimes plays into a team’s decision to keep certain players on a roster. Which members of this year’s Cincinnati Reds team are running out of options?

Last year, we saw Robert Stephenson given every chance under the sun to win a spot on the 2019 Opening Day roster. As it turned out, Stephenson became one of the most reliable arms in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen last season. However, the reason Bob Steve was given so many chances was because he was out of minor-league options.

What is a minor league option? A player on the 40-man roster is given three minor league options. Those “options” allow a player to be sent down to the minor leagues without being exposed to waivers. When a player is optioned to the Minors for a span of more than 20 days, he loses an option.

Once optioned, a player must remain for a minimum of 10 days before he eligible to be recalled. An option applies to an entire season, so a player can be sent down and recalled to the majors any number of times over the course of a season, but he’ll only lose one option. We saw this last year with Josh VanMeter and Phillip Ervin.

So, who’s going to be given that long leash this season? We’ve broken these groups of players down into four different categories – those with three minor-league options remaining, two minor-league options remaining, one minor-league option remaining, and those players with no minor-league options remaining. All eligibility is courtesy of Roster Resource.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 27: Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a RBI single in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Who has three minor-league options remaining?

(8) Nick Senzel, Shogo Akiyama, Michael Lorenzen, Tyler Stephenson, Tony Santillan, Tejay Antone, Joel Kuhnel, Ryan Hendrix

The Cincinnati Reds have nine players on the 40-man roster who still have three minor-league options remaining. Most prominent among them is last year’s rookie centerfielder Nick Senzel. Free agent signing Shogo Akiyama also makes the list, as does do-everything relief pitcher/ outfielder Michael Lorenzen.

It’s highly doubtful that we’ll see Senzel, Akiyama, or Lorenzen optioned to Triple-A Louisville. However, if Senzel is not yet healthy enough to begin the season with the big league club or Cincinnati decides that another position change is in order for the 24-year-old, the Reds have the option to send Senzel down to the minors. But, at this point, I don’t see either scenario happening.

Tyler Stephenson is likely to dip into the first of his minor-league options this season. The top catching prospect in the Reds organization will likely begin the 2020 season at Triple-A Louisville. It’s possible, but unlikely, that the 23-year-old could break camp with the big league club, but I can’t see that happening unless Tucker Barnhart or Curt Casali suffer an injury.

Tony Santillan and Tejay Antone will be looking to show that they have the stuff for the big leagues, but like Stephenson, they’ll likely begin the season at Triple-A Louisville. Joel Kuhnel and Ryan Hendrix will both be battling for a spot in the Reds bullpen once spring training begins. Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear on February 13th.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 12: Josh VanMeter #17 scores off a sacrifice fly out by Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 12, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Who has two minor-league options remaining?

(7) Josh VanMeter, Luis Castillo, Jesse Winker, Alex Blandino, Tyler Mahle, Justin Shafer, Josh D. Smith

Seven players on the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster have two minor-league options remaining. One of the players on this list, Luis Castillo, need not worry about being sent down to the minors. Castillo was the Reds Opening Day starter and dominated opposing batters with his wicked changeup. Look for La Piedra to toe the rubber on Opening Day against the Cardinals in 2020.

Jesse Winker seems to be pretty secure as well. The 26-year-old has struggled to remain healthy the past two seasons, but when he’s on the field, he’s one of the better hitters in the Reds lineup. Last season, before landing on the injured list, Winker had a career-high in home runs (12) and a .357 on-base percentage. With competition in the outfield, this spring will be a big one for Winker.

A pair of relievers find themselves in a precarious spot. Both Justin Shafer and Josh D. Smith were not part of the Reds roster last season. Shafer pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Smith suited up for both the Cleveland Indians and Miami Marlins. Look for both relievers to be given a fair shake at winning a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen.

Josh VanMeter, Alex Blandino, and Tyler Mahle will have to fight to find a spot on the Opening Day roster. None of the three were expected to break camp with the Reds last year, but an injury to Alex Wood gave a starting spot to Mahle. That may be the only way he finds his way onto the 26-man roster this season as well. VanMeter and Blandino will be in a battle for a bench role in 2020.

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 29, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Who has one minor-league option remaining?

(5) Aristides Aquino, José De León, Kyle Farmer, Jose Siri, Matt Bowman

The Cincinnati Reds have five players with one minor-league option remaining. If he continues the onslaught we saw during the month of August, Aristides Aquino is unlikely to be sent down to start the season. However, if the struggles fans witnessed during the month of September is more of the norm, then it’s quite possible that The Punisher starts the 2020 season in the Derby City.

Joining Aquino among those on the Reds roster with one minor-league option remaining is utilityman Kyle Farmer. It’s more than reasonable to assume that Farmer will be part of the Reds 26-man roster when the team breaks camp. Farmer played every position on the infield dirt last season, including catcher.

Newcomer José De Leon has a very chance to make the roster and find a home in the bullpen. Picked up in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, De León was once a very highly-touted prospect. Cincinnati also avoided arbitration with Matt Bowman. The right-hander will have a great opportunity to make an impact in the Reds bullpen next season.

The most interesting name on this list is Jose Siri. The 24-year-old has out-of-this-world defensive talent in center field, but struggles as the dish. Look for Siri to start the season in Triple-A Louisville. If he can figure out how to get his on-base percentage up to a respectable number in the minors, we could see him make his major league debut in 2020.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Sal Romano #47 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images) /

Who has no minor-league options remaining?

(9) Sal Romano, Cody Reed, Curt Casali, Phillip Ervin, Amir Garrett, Robert Stephenson, Lucas Sims, Travis Jankowski, Scott Schebler

The Reds have a roster full of players with no minor-league options remaining. To be exact, Cincinnati no longer has the luxury of optioning nine of its players to the minors. I think it’s safe to say, provided they’re healthy, that Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson will break camp and be on the Reds Opening Day roster.

Curt Casali looks every bit the part of the backup catcher on next year’s team. Unless Tyler Stephenson absolutely blows away the coaching staff, expect to see Casali drawing a start or two per week once the season starts. Phillip Ervin is another player that I’m pretty confident will make the squad. The way Ervin destroyed left-handers in 2019 should certainly gain him a long look.

Lucas Sims will likely find a spot in the bullpen heading into 2020, but I’m not as confident in likes of Sal Romano and Cody Reed. Romano struggled during his time with the big league club last year, and Reed ended the season on the injured list. Reed, being a left-handed pitcher, has a slight advantage over Romano in what may be a contest for the final spot in the bullpen.

Travis Jankowski enters the 2020 season with no minor-league options remaining. He was brought to Cincinnati to provide depth in the outfield. The same could be said for Scott Schebler, who is miraculously still on the 40-man roster. After the implosion we saw last season after winning the starting job in center field, Schebler’s future with the club is in doubt.

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The expansion of the Opening Day roster from 25 to 26 may net a player, who’d otherwise be cut, one last chance. Cody Reed, Sal Romano, Scott Schebler, and possibly Phillip Ervin will have an immense amount of pressure to perform this spring. Camp opens in just a few short weeks. Get ready Reds Country, it’s going to be entertaining.

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