Cincinnati Reds: Make-or-break season for these five players in 2020

2. Jesse Winker, Outfielder

The 2020 season is an important one for Jesse Winker. The former first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy and faces an uphill climb to break through as an everyday player. The Cincinnati Reds added Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos to the outfield mix. Phillip Ervin and Aristides Aquino will be looking to find a spot on the roster as well. Winker is in for a battle in camp.

If there was player who I was betting on to be the surprise of the 2020 season, it’d be Jesse Winker. For all the flack that Winker has caught over the past two years, he’s actually got some legitimate statistics that speak to his high ceiling. Winker’s problem hasn’t been production, it’s been availability.

In 2018, Winker was unexplainably benched in favor of an outfield of Billy Hamilton, Scott Schebler and Adam Duvall. Eventually Winker broke through and proved that decision to be a terrible one. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury ended Winker’s season and he played only 89 games. Last season, Winker played just 113 games after ending the season on the injured list.

If you’re looking for a player with power from the left-side with the ability to get on base, then Jesse Winker is your guy. He’s the type of player that every GM, especially in the American League, would be drooling over. Winker’s lack of speed and subpar defense are obstacles for him, but ones that a big year at the dish would overshadow. Look for Winker to breakout in 2020.