Cincinnati Reds: Who has minor-league options remaining?

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.

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.