Cincinnati Reds: Final Opening Day roster predictions for the 2020 season

Which 30 players will make the Cincinnati Reds roster?

The Cincinnati Reds open play against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Expectations are high, as this year’s team has an elite-level starting rotation and an improved offense. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on Major League Baseball, and this year’s season has been reduced to just 60 games. Which 30 players are going to make the Reds roster Opening Day roster?

There aren’t many spots left up for grabs. The Cincinnati Reds have already informed non-roster invitees Brooks Raley and Nate Jones that they’ll be part of the Opening Day roster. The Cincinnati Reds have also said goodbye to left-handed sluggers Scott Schebler and Derek Dietrich. Schebler was designated for assignment and Dietrich was granted his release from the team.

Some high-profile prospects, who impressed during spring training and summer camp, are unlikely to make the Opening Day roster. Tyler Stephenson, a former first-round pick, looks to have the makings of a big league catcher. José García, the Reds shortstop of the future, put up some spectacular numbers during the spring, but he’s yet to even play at the Double-A level.

The majority of the 30-man roster has been set. However, a few openings remain, and it’s anyone’s guess who’ll snag those last few coveted spots. We’ve put out two previous predictions since summer camp began, but this will be our final prognostication of which players will make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster.

Reds starting lineup (9)

Joey Votto (1B), Mike Moustakas (2B), Freddy Galvis (SS), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Tucker Barnhart (C), Nick Castellanos (RF), Nick Senzel (CF), Shogo Akiyama (LF), Jesse Winker (DH)

This prediction has not changed since summer camp began. Nick Senzel and Eugenio Suárez underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason, but both players were given the green light and appear fully healed and ready to go. Both players will be leaned on heavily during the upcoming season.

Add to the mix veterans Joey Votto, Freddy Galvis and Mike Moustakas. Votto is in need of a bounce-back performance after two sub-par seasons. Galvis, who hit a career-high 23 home runs in 2019 has the youngster José García nipping at his heels. However, it’s unlikely we’ll see García make his debut in 2020. Moustakas will be a force in the middle of the Reds batting order.

Fellow free agent signee Nick Castellanos will see plenty of time in right field, but he’s also likely to see a few starts as the team’s designated hitter. Jesse Winker will likely get the call as the team’s DH when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound, but may be subbed out when a southpaw toes the rubber.

Rounding out the starting lineup is another free agent whom the Reds picked up this past winter in Shogo Akiyama. The first Japanese born player in team history will see plenty of time all over the Cincinnati outfield. Tucker Barnhart will be hanging the signs against right-handed pitchers, but will likely give way to Curt Casali when the opposing pitcher is a left-hander.

Reds starting rotation (5)

Luis Castillo (RHP), Sonny Gray (RHP), Trevor Bauer (RHP), Wade Miley (LHP), Anthony DeSclafani (RHP)

This prediction has not changed either, nor should it. Not only do we know which five pitchers will be part of the Cincinnati Reds rotation, we know the order in which David Bell will deploy them. Sonny Gray will be the Reds Opening Day starter and will be opposed by Detroit Tigers ace Matthew Boyd.

Gray will give way to Luis Castillo who’ll be followed by Trevor Bauer. Cincinnati brought in Wade Miley during the offseason to be the team’s No. 4 starter, signing the former Milwaukee Brewer to a two-year/$15M deal. Anthony DeSclafani, who in my opinion never gets the recognition he deserves, might be the best No. 5 starter in the National League.

The Cincinnati Reds have the makings of an elite-level starting rotation. It’s eerily similar to the 2012 starting rotation that won the NL Central. That year, Cincinnati employed the services of Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake. This year’s squad might be a little bit better.

Both Bauer and DeSclafani will be free agents at the end of the year, making their performances during the season incredibly significant. Castillo is a prime candidate for a contract extension and Sonny Gray is coming off his best season since 2015. The strength of this year’s team is the starting rotation, and it’s not even close.

Reds relief corps (10)

Pedro Strop (RHP), Lucas Sims (RHP), Michael Lorenzen (RHP), Cody Reed (LHP), Raisel Iglesias (RHP), Nate Jones (RHP), Tyler Mahle (RHP), Robert Stephenson (RHP), Brooks Raley (LHP) and Amir Garrett (LHP)

The last few days have seen Brooks Raley added to the Reds 40-man roster, and Nate Jones notified that he’ll be on the team’s Opening Day roster. Both are solid additions to an already loaded Cincinnati bullpen. Returning are Amir Garrett, Robert Stephenson, Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen.

Cincinnati added Pedro Strop over the winter. The former Chicago Cubs setup man will be a key figure on this year’s Reds team. If Iglesias is unable to rebound after a dreadful 2019 campaign, don’t be surprise to see David Bell turn to Strop late in games. Garrett, Lorenzen and Stephenson are also options to take over the role of closer if Iggy falters.

Lucas Sims and Tyler Mahle might be the two most value pieces on this year’s team. Both right-handers and former starting pitchers who’ll be used early and often in this odd season that’ll see 17 consecutive games to begin the season. This year’s season will be a sprint, not a marathon and Mahle and Sims will be integral pieces of the Reds bullpen if and when the starters struggle.

Cody Reed is the biggest question mark remaining for the Reds. Reed has the talent to be a legitimate relief pitcher and is the lone piece remaining from the trade that sent Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals. Reed is out of options, so it makes sense that he’d make the roster, but the addition of Raley makes me question if Bell plans to keep nine or 10 relief pitchers.