Cincinnati Reds: These players will get the final four spots on the roster

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 10: Cody Reed #23 and Sal Romano #47 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 10: Cody Reed #23 and Sal Romano #47 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 14: Matt Davidson #64 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

3. Matt Davidson offers the Reds a right-handed power bat off the bench

At the beginning of summer camp, I would not have pegged Matt Davidson to be among the finalist for a roster spot. But, here we are and I think he has a great chance to land on the Opening Day roster. Not only that, but Davidson could surprise a lot of folks and be the second bat off the bench; the first obviously being Phillip Ervin.

David Bell is all about playing the matchups. While some fans don’t like the analytical approach, it’s here to stay. What would the Reds lineup look like with a left-hander on the mound? Sure, Bell could keep Shogo Akiyama in the starting lineup, along with Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas, but you’d have to believe that Jesse Winker is coming out of the lineup.

Could Davidson be the team’s designated hitter when there’s a southpaw on the bump? Better yet, could Davidson give Votto the day off from first base and allow the six-time All-Star to slide into the role of DH? Ervin should undoubtedly be the first right-handed bat off the Reds bench, but Davidson offers much better numbers than Curt Casali, Alex Blandino and even Kyle Farmer.

Matt Davidson was even showing big during spring training. The 29-year-old went 6-for-18 (.333) with two home runs and five RBIs in 10 Cactus League games. With Aristides Aquino recently optioned to the alternate training site, if Cincinnati is looking for a right-handed power bat, they need look no further than Matt Davidson.

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