Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the roster with Opening Day three weeks away

Relief pitchers (8)

Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, Pedro Strop, Lucas Sims, Brandon Finnegan and Nate Jones

Ah, the bullpen. This is the one true position battle in Reds camp. I think it’s safe to say that Raisel Iglesias, Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, Pedro Strop and Robert Stephenson are locks to make the 2020 Opening Day roster. The remaining three spots are up for grabs, but Lucas Sims probably has the inside track to one of those three spots.

Sims hasn’t looked great this spring. The right-hander has allowed five hits, five runs and two walks while only striking out three batters over 3.2 innings of work. However, this is spring ball folks, and we saw what Sims was capable of last season. Sims can go multiple season and is out of minor-league options. Unless he’s severely outplayed, I expect him to make the cut.

Nate Jones has yet to pitch in a game this spring, as he’s coming off an injury. That said, when healthy, the Kentucky native is a solid option out of the bullpen. With a career-ERA of 3.12, Jones figures to have good shot at making the 26-man roster out of camp.

Garrett is the only left-hander assured of a spot in the Reds bullpen, but you know that David Bell will want more than just one southpaw. I’m going to go with Brandon Finnegan as the other left-handed option. Finnegan has pitched in three games this spring and has yet to allow a run. Fellow lefty Cody Reed, who’s out of options, hasn’t looked very crisp through two spring games.

Reed will definitely be in the mix, as will non-roster invitees Sal Romano and Tyler Thornburg. This will easily be the most intriguing story of the spring, as the majority of spots on the major league roster are locked up. Whether the decisions in the bullpen are motivated by performance or a player’s ability to clear waivers, the battle for a spot in the bullpen is one to watch over the next few weeks.