Cincinnati Reds: Three players hindered by the delay of the 2020 season

3 of 4

MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Josh VanMeter #17 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The 2020 MLB season has been delayed until at least mid-May, and likely later. Which three Cincinnati Reds players are hindered by the late start?

While the delayed start to the 2020 season will help some players, it will inevitably hinder others. Some players will have the ability to put certain injuries behind them, but others who were hoping for their chance may miss out on a roster spot and their opportunity to showcase their talents. Which three Cincinnati Reds players are hurt the most by the delayed start?

We looked yesterday at the likes of Eugenio Suárez and Nick Senzel, both of whom will benefit from the added time to recover from offseason surgery while the 2020 season is delayed. However, those players who may have benefited from the additional playing time while Suárez and Senzel were absent, may now miss out on an opportunity.

In addition to a decrease in playing time, we all know that baseball is about getting a rhythm and staying in that zone. A few youngsters on the Reds were coming into their own during spring training and had an opportunity to overcome the odds and make a run at the Opening Day roster. The delay to the 2020 season could really impact a few players looking to make a name for themselves.

I’m usually the eternal optimist and like to look at the glass half-full. But, today we’re going to take the glass half-empty approach and look at three players on the Cincinnati Reds roster who may be hindered by the delayed start to the 2020 season, which looks like it won’t begin for at least about two more months.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 19: Matt Davidson #64 poses during Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

1. Matt Davidson, Infielder

No player on the Reds roster is probably more hurt by the likely return of Eugenio Suárez than Matt Davidson. While it looked as though Geno was on track for an Opening Day return to the roster, a couple more months to recover from shoulder surgery virtually guarantees we’ll see Suárez at third base when the season begins.

Davidson, a non-roster invitee, was crushing it during spring trainman before play was halted a couple weeks ago. The former Chicago White Sox slugger was hitting .333/.429/.778 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs in 10 games during Cactus League play. Davidson had split his time between first and third base, receiving five starts at the hot corner.

The 29-year-old was hoping to earn a bench spot on the Reds roster heading into camp. While that possibility still exists, his chances certainly took a hit with the delayed start to the 2020 season. Davidson does offer a power bat off the bench, but with a healthy roster, he enters a competition with several other sluggers.

Given that Suárez will likely be 100% once the season begins, Matt Davidson will now have to compete against the likes of Josh VanMeter, Derek Dietrich and Alex Blandino for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The one saving grace for Davidson is that rosters are likely to expand, giving him a better chance to snag a reserve role on the team.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Josh VanMeter #17 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Josh VanMeter, Infielder

Few players in Reds camp were swinging a hotter bat than Josh VanMeter. With an undefined role heading into 2020, VanMeter was just taking advantage of the increased playing time with Eugenio Suárez on the shelf. VanMeter grabbed four starts at third base during Cactus League play before the stoppage, but he’ll likely return to a bench role or maybe even start the season in the minors.

After hitting .400/.526/.667 in 15 spring at-bats, it’s hard to envision VanMeter starting the 2020 season at Triple-A, but that reality is very possible. Unlike a lot of others competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, VanMeter has minor-league options remaining. The aforementioned Matt Davidson and Derek Dietrich could be pressing VanMeter for playing time.

The Reds infield is set. Barring an unforeseen injury, Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Freddy Galvis and Eugenio Suárez will be the starters when the 2020 opens. Kyle Farmer is the lone utility player that we know will have a seat at the table. The other is a mystery. VanMeter and Dietrich provide a punch from the left side, but the Reds have no legitimate backup at shortstop aside from Alex Blandino.

Speaking of Blandino, the former Stanford University standout was already swinging a hot stick during Cactus League play. With a slash line of .458/.536/.792, Blandino opened a lot of eyes. The race for that final spot on the Reds bench will come down to VanMeter and a host of other players. A streaky hitter, the time away from the game could really impact VanMeter’s chances.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Jose Garcia #83 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

3. Jose Garcia, Shortstop

Now, before you go crazy, I’m not suggesting that Jose Garcia deserved a spot on the Opening Day roster. Even though Garcia hit .269/.300/.769 with four home runs and seven RBIs in 13 games, the 21-year-old has yet to play above Advanced-A. So, all those throughout Reds Country who want to see Garcia in the bigs this season – settle down.

However, there is something to be said for the young prospect’s development. His time in Goodyear was Garcia’s first exposure to big league camp and he was given ample opportunities to prove that he belongs. My concern for Garcia comes on the other side, as we don’t know what the 2020 minor league season is going to look like.

So much of our time has been devoted to how this affects the major league talent, but little light has been shed on those in the minor leagues. I’m not talking about salary, but development. Players like Jose Garcia need reps. The Cuban native has played just 229 minor league games during his career and has a slash line of .261/.315/.386.

Next. 3 Reds players helped by the delayed start

I firmly believe that Garcia is the future at shortstop. This year is out of the question and even next year seems like a stretch. However, if there’s any hope of Garcia making next year’s Opening Day roster, he needs more time to develop and the delayed start is certainly hindering that. Hopefully we get past where we are very soon and the players can return to the field.

Home / Reds News