Cincinnati Reds: Nick Castellanos should hit second in the batting order

The latest free agent to join the 2020 edition of the Cincinnati Reds is slugger Nick Castellanos. It’s now manager David Bell’s task to utilize his newest offensive weapon for maximum impact.

J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor and Nolan Arenado are four of the five players with 70-plus extra-base hits in each of the past three seasons. The fifth is the newest addition to the Cincinnati Reds, outfielder Nick Castellanos. That’s the type of production the Reds have added to their lineup. Now the question becomes, where does he hit in the Cincinnati batting order?

In addition to Castellanos, the free agent signings earlier this offseason of second baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Shogo Akiyama will provide the Reds with a drastically different lineup than the one that finished 12th in the National League last season with 701 runs scored.

Throughout his six full seasons in the majors with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, the soon-to-be 28-year-old Castellanos has spent the majority of his career hitting in the No. 2 and the No. 6 spots in the order. It’s all but certain the Florida native will be hitting higher than sixth in the Reds lineup.

Moustakas, a left-handed hitting slugger, appears to be a perfect compliment in the cleanup spot behind third baseman Eugenio Suárez in the No. 3 hole. Based on his impressive on-base percentage credentials while playing in Japan, the fellow left-handed hitting Akiyama should make for an ideal table setter in the leadoff position.

Last year, hitting second in the lineup for the Tigers and Cubs, Nick Castellanos slashed a lethal .301/.357/.550 with 56 extra base hits in 373 at-bats. No. 2 hitters for the Reds in 2019 slashed .275/.362/.460 with 65 extra base hits in 637 at-bats. It’s safe to say with an additional 250-plus at-bats, Castellanos would obliterate that extra base hit total.

This is where David Bell earns his money. Making 121 starts in the No. 2 hole last season was, of course, Joey Votto. However, the time has come for Votto to be moved down in the batting order and make way for Castellanos to hit in front of Geno.

By placing Akiyama’s on-base skills in front of Castellanos, it is going to provide numerous RBI opportunities for Suárez and Moustakas. It’s not hard to imagine Geno having several at-bats in the opening frame with runners already at second and third base when you consider the fact that Castellanos led all of baseball with 58 doubles last season. That kind of production must be at the top of the order.

Castellanos’ signing also provides greater flexibility. For those days when the Reds are facing a tough southpaw on the mound, the coaching staff can move Nick Senzel into leadoff spot to give Akiyama a day off. A top three of Senzel, Castellanos and Suárez potentially could wreak massive havoc against left-handed starters.

Placing Castellanos in the No. 2 spot is in no way meant to disparage Votto, who is still an important part of the Reds offense. It simply illustrates how much better the Reds became with Castellanos arriving in the Queen City.

While it may seem strange not seeing Joey Votto bat in the first inning, if David Bell plays his cards correctly, there will still be plenty of opportunities for Votto to take some opening inning hacks. Signing Nick Castellanos has given the Reds that offensive boost they’ve been looking for all offseason.