Cincinnati Reds: Five players most likely to snag 26th spot on the roster

1. Mark Payton, Outfielder

The Reds made just one selection in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft. Outfielder Mark Payton, formerly of the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics was taken by Cincinnati on the final day of the 2019 Winter Meetings. Though he didn’t play a lick at the major league level in 2019, Payton has power and the ability to play all three outfield positions.

The former Texas Longhorn will have some stiff competition in the Reds outfield. In addition to Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama, Cincinnati still has holdovers such as Nick Senzel, Aristides Aquino, Jesse Winker and Phillip Ervin on the 40-man roster. Scott Schebler is still hanging around as well, but his roster spot seems very precarious.

Being a Rule 5 Draft pick works both for an against Payton. The Reds are unable to option Payton to the minors should he not make the cut, meaning the club is likely to give the 28-year-old a long look. Unfortunately, that look will only last until cut down day, meaning Cincinnati may have to decide between Payton and Ervin, who’s out of minor-league options.

A solid spring will be necessary for Payton to make the Reds 26-man roster out of camp. Unless Senzel is not yet healthy, it would seem like an uphill climb for the former Oakland A’s farmhand. However, Cincinnati still the ability to option both Winker and Aquino down to Triple-A, a tool that may be necessary depending on how the spring plays out.