Cincinnati Reds: Three unexpected impact players in 2020 season

Some unexpected impact players are sure to emerge from the Reds roster.

The 2020 Cincinnati Reds team is loaded with talented bats and starting pitching. Reds ownership and the front office landed some big names during the offseason who are sure to pay dividends in 2020. However, it’s the unexpected impact from players that may be what’s need to put Cincinnati into the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

The Reds spent heavily during the offseason. Cincinnati made a splash by signing Mike Moustakas to a four-year/$64M contract. The front office followed that up by signing left-handed starter Wade Miley and Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama. The Reds closed out the offseason by signing reliever Pedro Strop and snagging outfielder Nick Castellanos.

All five of the aforementioned players are expected to produce for the Reds this coming season. Moustakas will be Cincinnati’s starting second baseman, Miley will be the team’s No. 4 starter, Strop will be counted on early and often out of the bullpen, and Akiyama and Castellanos will be regulars in David Bell’s lineup.

But what about those players who don’t get all the love? Sure, we expect Eugenio Suárez to mash balls over the left field wall at Great American Ball Park, Luis Castillo is sure to dazzle with the best changeup in baseball, and even Nick Senzel will likely improve upon his rookie year. But who might emerge from the shadows and enter the spotlight? Let’s take a look.

2. Reds reliever Robert Stephenson will build off successful 2019 season.

Was there a more impressive pitcher out of the Reds bullpen last year than Robert Stephenson? Sure, Michael Lorenzen had a great season and Amir Garrett dominated the competition during the early-going, but Stephenson’s consistent pitching and improvement in nearly every element of his game should give David Bell confidence in the right-hander’s ability with the game on the line.

A 60-game season will require all hands on deck. The use of the Reds bullpen may be one of the most intriguing aspects of the upcoming season. With only three weeks to get their arms ready, it’s questionable as to how many innings a starter will be able to go. Thankfully for the Reds, Tyler Mahle and Lucas Sims offer some versatility, with the ability to start or come in as a long reliever.

The numbers speak for themselves. After a horrendous 2018 season, one that saw Stephenson pitch in just four games and own a 9.26 ERA. Stephenson couldn’t throw strikes, ending his 2018 campaign with more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). But last season, Stephenson couldn’t miss the strike zone. The former first-round pick put up a 30.9% strikeout-rate according to FanGraphs.

Stephenson evolved into a two-pitch pitcher, relying heavily on his slider, which he throw more than 56% of the time. The biggest change in Stephenson’s game from 2018 to 2019, was the free passes. While surrendering 12 walks in just 11.2 innings during the 2018 season, Stephenson issues just 24 base on balls in 64.2 innings of work, good enough for a 9.2% walk-rate; a career-best.

3. Reds infielder Kyle Farmer could play five different positions in 2020.

Kyle Farmer will see the field early and often in 2020. The former Los Angeles Dodger is the only player remaining from a December trade in 2018 that shipped Homer Bailey out of Cincinnati. Farmer is not elite at any one thing, but he’s very good at a lot of things. The possibility exists for Farmer to play five different defensive positions in 2020.

Last season, Reds fans watched Farmer primarily find time at second base. However, the former catching prospect did suit up behind the plate for 15 games while also seeing at least 60 innings of work at first and third base. Recently, David Bell spoke to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon about his confidence in Farmer’s ability to play shortstop:

“I made a commitment early on in Spring Training to see more of Kyle Farmer at shortstop. We’re really glad we did. I didn’t realize — and I accept responsibility. I knew he could play short, but this guy can really play short. He could even play every day for an extended period of time at that position. We saw it happen at Spring Training.”

That level of confidence in Farmer’s ability to play shortstop, combined with the ascension of future backstop Tyler Stephenson, may preclude Bell from keeping fellow infielder Alex Blandino on the 30-man roster. Farmer’s versatility affords Bell the ability to keep, perhaps, Aristides Aquino or Mark Payton on the Opening Day roster.

Top prospect José García impressed during spring training as well, but it seems unlikely that the 22-year-old would make his MLB debut in 2020. That said, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. However, Kyle Farmer gives Bell an injury replacement should Freddy Galvis become unable to make a start.