Cincinnati Reds: Five bold predictions for spring training

2. Aristides Aquino begins the season in Triple-A

This may be a downer to some fans, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Aristides Aquino is likely to start the 2020 season at Triple-A Louisville. After exploding onto the scene in August, The Punisher saw a major downturn in his production.

After Yasiel Puig was traded to the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds inserted Aquino into the starting lineup. Aquino entered the major league record books during his first month on the job, clobbering 14 home runs, racking up 33 RBIs and posting an OPS of 1.158 through 29 games in August.

The Punisher, after taking home Player of the Month honors for the month August, didn’t find the same level of success in September. Aquino went 20-for-102 (.196) during the final month of the season, ending the year with a .259 batting average.

Aquino’s performance during the Dominican Winter League didn’t offer a lot of promise. The 25-year-old slashed .209/.255/.395 with just one home run in 47 plate appearances. It may be that pitchers have figured out how to pitch to The Punisher.

Aristides Aquino will be given every chance to win a spot on the 26-man roster, but he has a minor-league option remaining. With Phillip Ervin out of options, the additions of Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos, plus Nick Senzel and Jesse Winker competing for playing time in the outfield, it’s going to be difficult for Aquino to make the Opening Day roster.