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Cincinnati Reds: Five players fighting for a roster spot during spring training

By Drew Koch

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 13: Outfielder Mark Payton #4 of the United States flies out in the bottom of 3rd inning during the WBSC Premier 12 Super Round game between USA and Australia at the Tokyo Dome on November 13, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 13: Outfielder Mark Payton #4 of the United States flies out in the bottom of 3rd inning during the WBSC Premier 12 Super Round game between USA and Australia at the Tokyo Dome on November 13, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Reds
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Alex Blandino #2 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

1. Alex Blandino, Infielder

Alex Blandino didn’t see any time at the major league level until September. The former first-round pick reached just 36 at-bats during his 23 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season, but .250 with a .420 on-base percentage. Blandino is one of the Reds best options to back up shortstop Freddy Galvis, and the injury to Eugenio Suárez only strengthens his case to be on the team.

It’s a bit unfair to judge Blandino’s success or lack their of too harshly. After a collision at second base during the 2018 season, Blandino was shelved for the remainder of the season and part of last season following surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. Blandino played 70 games for Triple-A Louisville last season slashing .247/.386/.375 with 13 doubles and 24 RBIs.

Blandino will never be mistaken for a power hitter. Throughout his minor league career, Blandino never hit more than 12 home runs. During his 2017 season, split between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville Blandino owned a .456 slugging percentage, the highest of his professional career.

Blandino has two minor-league options remaining, so if he fails to make the Opening Day roster, Cincinnati will not lose him to free agency. With the status of Suárez up in the air, and Kyle Farmer the only other option to back up Freddy Galvis, Blandino has a real shot to make the Reds roster out of Goodyear. But, he’ll have to tone down his strikeout-rate which is 27.9% for his career.

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