Cincinnati Reds: Three unexpected impact players in 2020 season

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.