Cincinnati Reds: Four options to play shortstop in 2021

The Cincinnati Reds seem to be set on Freddy Galvis occupying shortstop this coming season. But who might play shortstop in 2021?

Much of the conversation among Cincinnati Reds fans this offseason centered around who will play shortstop during the 2020 season. Though rumors of acquiring Francisco Lindor or Corey Seager persisted, it appears as though Freddy Galvis is the man for the job heading into 2020. But who’ll be playing shortstop for the Reds in 2021?

Galvis’ team-option was picked up shortly after the 2019 season concluded. The 30-year-old infielder played just 32 games for Cincinnati last season after spending the majority of the season suited up for the Toronto Blue Jays. Galvis set career-highs in home runs (23), RBIs (70) and OPS (.734) before ending the season on the injured list.

Reds fans were treated to the phenomenal fielding of José Iglesias last season. A lot of fans hoped that the Reds front office would re-sign the former Detroit Tigers shortstop, but Cincinnati seemed to prefer Galvis’ power to the slick-fielding Iglesias, who had a career-year with the Reds last season.

In addition to many fans clamoring for Iglesias to return, several folks throughout Reds Country felt as though pursuing a trade for the Cleveland Indians four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor was the way to go. Lindor has been deemed off limits by the Tribe, but several fans still hold out hope for a potential deal.

It appears as though Cincinnati has made their choice for 2020 and it’s Galvis. However, the Venezuela native is only signed through the end of the season and will become a free agent next winter. So, who might occupy the shortstop position in 2021 for the Cincinnati Reds?

1. Freddy Galvis

The easiest option to play shortstop in 2021 would be Freddy Galvis. Cincinnati Reds fans saw little of Galvis at shortstop last season, as José Iglesias was busy putting together a career-year during his lone season in Cincinnati. Galvis started 27 games for the Reds in 2019 after coming over from Toronto, only four of which were at shortstop.

Recently, Scott Boyken of Blog Red Machine outlined some noteworthy stats that should make Reds fans happy. Freddy Galvis is the career active leader in fielding percentage (.9846) among shortstops. Also, the only National League shortstops who hit more home runs than Galvis’ 23 in 2019 were Chicago’s Javier Baez and St. Louis’ Paul DeJong.

If Galvis can maintain the power that he found in 2019, the middle of infield he and Mike Moustakas could wreak havoc on the National League. Galvis may only have a career-OPS of .675, but another year of .700-plus OPS could go a long way towards Cincinnati initiating contract talks with Galvis in the offseason.

Freddy Galvis is an above-average defensive shortstop with power. Those types of players don’t grow on trees. If Reds Country was happy with the play of Iglesias at shortstop last season, what they see from Galvis is 2019 might get the fanbase excited enough to see another season of the 30-year-old in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

2. Jose Garcia

If you haven’t heard of Jose Garcia, his name should find its way onto your radar. In 2019, the Reds top shortstop prospect finally had the type of season the front office was expecting. Garcia slashed .280/.343/.436 while playing 104 games at Advanced-A Daytona. If Garcia has similar success this season, he could end 2020 at Triple-A Louisville with an eye toward the bigs in 2021.

While so many fans throughout Reds Country have been clamoring for Cincinnati to make a trade for Francisco Lindor, the Reds front office may be eyeing the evolution of one of their own. Obviously Garcia has a long road ahead to reach the level of Lindor, but the Reds didn’t throw $5M at the Cuban infielder during the 2016-17 signing period for nothing.

Garcia struggled during his first year in the professional ranks. In 2018, Garcia played 125 games for Single-A Dayton, slashing .245/.290/.344. However, last year with Advanced-A Daytona, Garcia found his stroke. The 21-year-old put up a slash line of .280/.343/.436 with 8 home runs and 55 RBIs. That’s the type of progress that Cincinnati’s front office was hoping to see.

Jose Garcia played in the Arizona Fall League and received an invite to big league camp with the Reds this spring. While there’s little-to-no chance that Garcia makes the roster out of Goodyear, just receiving an invite and getting some Cactus League games under his belt is a plus for the young shortstop.

Much like Tyler Stephenson, Garcia has the makings of a young prospect looking to take the reigns at the major league level in the near future. Currently ranked No. 9 in the farm system according to MLB Pipeline, another solid season could see Garcia knocking on the door of the bigs as early as next season.

4. Nick Senzel

What might Nick Senzel’s role be in 2021? Heck, we don’t even know how last year’s rookie will be utilized this season. Senzel is a versatile player who can play center field and will likely occupy some time patrolling the infield dirt this season as well. Will we see the University of Tennessee product spend a few innings spelling Freddy Galvis during the upcoming season?

Senzel’s name has been kicked about in trade rumors all offseason. With the Reds reportedly looking at the likes of Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager, Senzel was the obvious choice to find his name in potential trade scenarios. The Reds top prospect before last season began, Senzel seems out of position in the outfield and Cincinnati’s additions this winter only fueled the speculation.

Shogo Akiyama and Mike Moustakas were signed this offseason to help bring some pop to a Reds hitting attack that ranked 12th in the National League last season. Senzel can play both center field and second base, the two positions that Cincinnati’s newest additions will likely occupy this coming season.

So why haven’t the Reds just given in and moved Senzel to shortstop? If he’s got the arm and speed to play center field, he surely has the tools to play shortstop, right? One would think the answer is yes, but I’m not on the field with these players day after day.

I tend to think that Nick Senzel will still keep his everyday spot in center field with Akiyama as a left-handed hitting option who can also play both corner outfield spots. Reds fans seem to think that Akiyama will just be handed the keys to center field, but making the transition from the Nippon Professional Baseball league to the majors might prove more difficult than expected.

So who do you think the Cincinnati Reds will tab to be their starting shortstop in 2021? We all know that, barring injury, Freddy Galvis will draw the start on Opening Day 2020, but who’ll suit up there the following season? The Reds have some internal options. Next winter’s free agent class offers Marcus Semien and Did Gregorius, neither of which are likely to land in the Queen City.