Cincinnati Reds: Five players likely to make their big league debut in 2020

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MESA, AZ – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Stephenson #36 of the Glendale Desert Dogs (Cincinnati Reds) (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Last year, several Cincinnati Reds players made their major league debut in 2019. Who could break through into the bigs in 2020?

The Cincinnati Reds saw several young players make their major league debut last season. Nick Senzel, Josh VanMeter and Joel Kuhnel were three of the five Reds to get their first taste of the big leagues in 2019. While the 2020 roster is full of veterans who are likely to occupy a large amount of playing time, a few youngsters could make their major league debut this coming season.

Senzel, who played in 104 games, made his big league debut on May 3rd last season, going 1-for-5 against the San Francisco Giants. Senzel finished the 2019 season with a slash line of .256/.315/.427 and will likely play a big role during the upcoming season.

Nick Senzel was also joined by his best bud, Josh VanMeter. The left-handed hitting slugger kind of came out of nowhere to break through onto the major league roster just days after Senzel’s promotion. VanMeter dominated opposing pitchers at Triple-A Louisville and joined the Reds for 95 games last season, hitting eight home runs and recording 23 RBIs.

Joel Kuhnel got a call late last season and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the bullpen this season. Also making their big league debuts last season were right-hander Jimmy Herget and utility player Brian O’Grady, both of whom are no longer with the club.

So, who’s going to make their big league debut in 2020? The Reds roster is a bit full at the moment, so it’s unlikely to see a rookie break camp with the team, but a short drive up I-71 may be in order for a player or two this coming season. Let’s look at five players who could see their major league dreams come true.

Mark Payton of the US (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. Mark Payton, Outfielder

If Mark Payton is to make the Opening Day roster for the Cincinnati Reds, he’s going to have to show up big time during spring training. Because he was taken in the Rule 5 Draft, if Payton is unable to crack the 26-man roster out of Goodyear, he’ll have to be offered back to the Oakland Athletics.

Payton had an uphill battle before the signings of Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos, but those two outfielders who now project as starters in the Reds lineup only make is more difficult for Payton to break camp with Cincinnati.

Formerly a seventh-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2014, Payton was a Rule 5 draftee last winter. The Oakland A’s selected him from the Yankees and Payton played the entire 2019 season at Triple-A Las Vegas were he hit .334/.400/.653 with 30 home runs and 97 RBIs.

One look at those stats and every Reds fan is probably wondering why he hasn’t yet made his big league debut. Well, throughout his entire minor-league career, Payton had yet to eclipse the 1.000-plus OPS mark that he accomplished last season. It just so happens that the Pacific Coast League (PCL) is also the most hitter-friendly league on the Triple-A circuit.

If Payton’s performance in 2019 translates to the field in Goodyear, then there’s an outside chance that he’ll make the squad out of spring training. Otherwise, Payton must be placed on waivers for any other team to claim and then offered back to the A’s before being eligible to be outrighted to the minors.

CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 27: Detail view of the baseball on the pitcher’s mound in between innings of the game between the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Ryan Hendrix, Right-handed pitcher

Ryan Hendrix was added to the 40-man roster this past offseason. The right-hander ranks No. 26 in the Reds system according to MLB Pipeline, which is second only to Joel Kuhnel among relievers in the minors. Hendrix saw 16 games at Double-A Chattanooga last season, posing a 2.33 ERA in 19.1 innings of work.

Hendrix was protected from the Rule 5 Draft when the Reds added to him to the 40-man roster, so obviously Cincinnati’s front office thinks very highly of the 25-year-old. Hendrix was originally drafted by the Reds in the fifth-round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Hendrix strikeout-rate the past two seasons, according to FanGraphs, has been very impressive. The right-hander spent time in Advanced-A Daytona during he 2018 season, putting up a strikeout-rate of 13.94. Last season, after recovering from an elbow injury, Hendrix posted a 14.40 strikeout-rate the Arizona League and 10.71 strikeout-rate at Double-A Chattanooga.

Hendrix walk-rate, however, could be a problem going forward. Though he saw an improvement from 2018 to 2019, Hendrix still finished his 19.1 innings at Double-A Chattanooga with a walk-rate of 3.72. That number will have to improve in 2020 if Hendrix is hoping to find a home in the big leagues.

Ryan Hendrix will likely begin the 2020 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts, but could quickly ascend to Triple-A Louisville if he dominates the competition at Double-A. Don’t rule out an appearance on the major league roster if Hendrix fixes his control issues during his time in the minors this season.

CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 14: A close up view of a hat and baseball glove in the dugout with the New Era logo before a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3. Nick Lodolo, Left-handed pitcher

It may be odd to see last year’s No. 7 overall pick as a possible candidate to make his major league debut in 2020, but it’s very possible. Nick Lodolo is an experienced pitcher who profiles as a player who ‘ll quickly ascend through the minor leagues. While he’s unlikely to follow Mike Leake‘s path to the majors and break camp with the team, he could make his debut in September.

If any other pitcher, aside from those projected to be among the Reds starters, is likely to break camp as part of the 2020 rotation, it’ll be Tyler Mahle. That said, the most likely scenario in which Mahle begins the season with the big league club is if one of the starters suffers an injury during spring training. Otherwise, the 2020 starting rotation is set.

Related Story. Predicting the starting rotation for Triple-A Louisville

Lodolo the first pitcher taken in last year’s MLB Draft. Six position players were drafted before him and Lodolo fell into the Reds lap. The lanky lefty started just eight games last season, going 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 18.1 innings.

Nick Lodolo will likely begin the 2020 season at Advanced-A Daytona. If he showcases the type of game everyone suspects, he could be in Triple-A Louisville by the end of the season. September call-ups are likely to be handled a bit differently this season, but there’s still a fair chance that fans will see Lodolo make his big league debut later this summer.

Lodolo is not going to supplant one of the Cincinnati Reds starters in 2020. Now, come the 2021 season, the likelihood of Lodolo joining the starting rotation is much more realistic. However, once the roster expands in September, Lodolo could find his way to the big leagues and be an imposing left-handed reliever out fo the Reds bullpen.

4. Tyler Stephenson, Catcher

Tucker Barnhart will be a free agent following the 2021 season with a team-option for 2022. Curt Casali is up for arbitration once again after the upcoming season. The Cincinnati Reds made an unsuccessful effort to sign Yasmani Grandal this offseason, leading fans to believe the team is looking for an upgrade a catcher. Tyler Stephenson could be that guy.

After missing out on J.T. Realmuto last offseason and Grandal this winter, the Reds ceased their pursuit of an upgrade behind the plate. Perhaps that’s because Dick Williams and Nick Krall feel as though Stephenson will be up the task in the very near future.

Injuries slowed Stephenson’s ascension early in his career, but a very successful season at Double-A Chattanooga in 2019 and a terrific showing in the Arizona Fall League has the 23-year-old knocking on the door of the big leagues. Stephenson slashed .347/.418/.490 in 13 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs.

The Cincinnati Reds have more than enough options behind the dish. Barnhart has been an above-average defensive catcher for years, winning a Gold Glove back in 2017. Casali is likely to platoon , with the veteran backstop this season and Kyle Farmer can always don the tools of ignorance as well.

But, none of the catchers in the Reds clubhouse possess the offensive prowess that Stephenson does. Currently ranked the No. 7 prospect in Cincinnati’s farm system according to MLB Pipeline, Tyler Stephenson could find his way onto the major league roster before September call-ups.

CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 01: A detailed view of the baseball bat and helmet rack in the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

5. Narciso Crook, Outfielder

Perhaps the best player in the Reds farm system you’ve never heard of is Narciso Crook. A 23rd-round pick in 2013, Crook is still just 24-years old. After an injury-plagued start to his career, Crook finally put together back-to-back healthy seasons. Last season, Crook made it to Triple-A Louisville and put up an OPS of .812 in 84 games for the Bats.

Of all the players listed, I think Crook has the best chance to make his big league debut in 2020. The right-handed hitting native of the Dominican Republic put up very nice stats in Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville last season. Crook slashed .277/.332/.474 with 22 doubles, 8 triples, 10 home runs and 41 RBIs between the two stops.

Narciso Crook’s .812 OPS at Triple-A Louisville was lost among the other fantastic performances from Josh VanMeter, Brian O’Grady and Aristides Aquino during their time with the Bats last season. But, Crook finally realized his potential in terms of power, hitting double-digit homers for the first time in his minor league career.

Crook profiles as a fourth or fifth outfielder, but with so many of the Reds out of minor league options, the prospects of Aquino, Ervin, Scott Schebler, Mark Payton and Travis Jankowski all remaining on the 40-man roster seem bleak. Narciso Crook could find his place on the roster and receive a call-up sometime throughout the 2020 season.

This season is make-or-break for these 5 Reds players. Next

There are a few other players on the Cincinnati Reds roster who could make their major league debut in 2020, but these five players top the list. Obviously, Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama will make his big league debut this season as well. Akiyama hit a single during his first at-bat in the Reds Cactus League opener yesterday.

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