Cincinnati Reds: Three forgotten players fighting for a roster spot

Opening Day is just around the corner. Though most spots on the Cincinnati Reds roster are already claimed, a few players hold hope of making the cut.

We’re approaching two weeks until thee 2020 Cincinnati Reds season kicks off. Though many of the 26 roster spots have already been claimed, a few still remain. This time of the spring, you’re essentially splitting hairs, trying to find the one or two players who stick out more than the others. Which three players seem to have been forgotten in their quest for a roster spot?

We know that Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama, Joey Votto and Sonny Gray will be on the Opening Day roster. Honestly, provided everyone is healthy, the starting rotation is set. While there’s competition for the outfield, most fans know what to expect in terms of who’s making the team.

There are a few spots, however still up for grabs. The bullpen appears to have a couple spots up for grabs and perhaps, there’s a race for that final bench spot. Several players have impressed this spring, including a couple prospects. While Jose Garcia and Tyler Stephenson have put up great numbers in Cactus League action, those two are unlikely to make the roster.

We’re taking a look at those select players who’s fallen off the radar. Maybe their play has been overshadowed by a big name signing this offseason or perhaps they don’t have the name recognition or high draft value of another player in camp. Regardless, these three players may make a case to find their way onto the roster over the next two weeks.

1. Joel Kuhnel, Right-handed pitcher

The bullpen has some fierce competition. With five of the spots in the pen locked up, three remain, and that number could even be whittled down to two if Lucas Sims is considered safe. Joel Kuhnel didn’t seem much time in the majors last season, but the hefty right-hander has the makeup to be a nice option late in games.

Kuhnel throws hard. His fastball sits in the upper-90s and it’s never surprising to see it touch triple digits. Kuhnel combined for a 2.18 ERA between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville last season. The problem for Kuhnel might be that his role is already filled, as his stuff profiles well for the back of the bullpen.

The backend of the Reds bullpen is loaded with talent. Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, Amir Garrett, Pedro Strop and Michael Lorenzen all figure to get lots of work from the seventh inning on. That’s the prime spot in the game when Kuhnel’s talents would be most valuable.

Currently ranked No. 22 in the Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline, with three minor-league options remaining, it’s highly likely we’ll Kuhnel start the season at Triple-A Louisville with the chance to join the Reds should an injury befall one of the Cincinnati relievers.

Kuhnel saw 11 games in the big leagues last season, putting up a 4.66 ERA in 9.2 inning pitched. This spring, Kuhnel has allowed just two hits in five appearances and hasn’t seen a runner cross the plate. We’ll likely see Joel Kuhnel later this season, but it’s doubtful he’ll make the Opening Day roster.

3. Alex Blandino, Infielder

Some fans may not see Alex Blandino as a long shot to make the Cincinnati Reds 26-man roster, but I certainly do. If Eugenio Suárez is healthy, all four starting infield spots are spoken for. Suárez and Joey Votto will man the corners, while Freddy Galvis and Mike Moustakas will take care of things up the middle. The battle for the two bench spots is one to watch over the next two weeks.

Blandino has an advantage over the others due to his experience at shortstop, combined with the fact that Cincinnati’s depth behind Galvis is not great. In saying that. Kyle Farmer has received a lot of playing time at shortstop and is likely to be the first reserve infielder off the bench for David Bell and his coaching staff.

Farmer, who can also play catcher, has unreal versatility when it comes to playing defense. A former college shortstop, Farmer hasn’t played the position professionally, but it appears as though Bell will be leaning on him to do so this season.

So, if we concede one of the two bench spots to Farmer, who’s competing for the last one? That list would include Blandino, Josh VanMeter and Derek Dietrich. Christian Colón has an outside shot, but for all intents and purposes, we’re looking at a three-horse race.

VanMeter and Dietrich offer something that Blandino doesn’t; a left-handed bat with power. However, Blandino’s .810 slugging percentage this spring would seem to suggest otherwise. The 27-year-old is probably the better defender between the three, and shows good pitch recognition at the plate.