Cincinnati Reds: 3 players most affected if universal DH is eliminated

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 27: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Minnesota Twins. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

The Reds roster construction may greatly change if there’s no DH in 2021.

This past season saw a number of rules change across Major League Baseball. A runner began extra innings on second base, doubleheaders became seven-inning affairs and the designated hitter made its way to the National League. Those changes may not be in effect next season, which could have a big impact on the Cincinnati Reds roster.

Per Yahoo! Sports, the universal DH will not be coming back in 2021. The designated hitter became part of the National League scene this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a way to help the ease the workload on pitchers, MLB and the Player’s Association agreed to make the universal DH part of the 2020 landscape.

Substituting a proven hitter for a pitcher was a boon for the Reds this past season. The addition of the universal DH helped declutter the Cincinnati outfield. More times than not, Jesse Winker took up the role of designated hitter last season. That allowed Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama and Nick Senzel, when healthy, to occupy the outfield grass.

Next season seems like no-go for the universal DH, however, despite the objection of some of the baseball purists, it’ll likely be negotiated into the next collective bargaining agreement. But, under the assumption that the National League will be without the designated hitter in 2021, which Cincinnati Reds players are most affected?

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 05: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back to the dugout holding a broken bat after striking out. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

1. Jesse Winker, Reds outfielder

Let’s be honest, the role of designated hitter really fits Jesse Winker quite well. Winker is a far better hitter than a fielder. He led the team in OPS (.932) this past season and was the team’s DH in 35 of the 48 games in which he started. Winker drew just 13 starts in the Reds outfield, with only one coming in place of Nick Castellanos in right field.

If Castellanos opts to remain in Cincinnati next season, Winker will be battling for playing time with Shogo Akiyama and Aristides Aquino in left field. Seeing as how Akiyama is up for a Gold Glove in his first major league season, it stands to reason that Cincinnati may be better off with Winker on the bench rather than in the field.

That said, you can’t let Winker’s bat wallow on the pine following the abysmal showing of Cincinnati hitters this past season. Castellanos is not a platoon player and Winker proved he can actually hit left-handed pitching. So what’s David Bell to do?

In terms of an outfield platoon, the group of Aquino, Akiyama and Nick Senzel would be an adequate enough trio to allow Bell to send out two of those three players each day depending on which matchup is more favorable. The combination of Aquino and Akiyama could rotate in left field while Akiyama and Senzel could platoon in center. But what about Jesse Winker?

This could lead to a big question heading into the offseason. Should the Reds look to trade Winker this winter? His career-OPS of .859 suggests he’s an above-average hitter, but his inability to stay healthy and below-average defense limit his role as an everyday player who’s likely to receive a pay raise in the range of $2M-$3.4M according to MLB Trade Rumors.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Tyler Stephenson #37 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Tyler Stephenson, Reds catcher

Surprised to see Tyler Stephenson on this list? Don’t be. I’m convinced the Cincinnati Reds will enter spring training with three catchers. Look for Stephenson, Curt Casali and Tucker Barnhart to all be on the roster when the team descends onto Goodyear in February. Will they all be on the Reds Opening Day roster? Maybe, but the lack of a DH complicates matters.

I’m with the majority of Reds Country in thinking that Stephenson belongs in the big leagues, but I’m not yet ready to anoint him as the successor to Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali. We saw how valuable both were this past season. Casali’s battery mates rave about his ability to call a game and Barnhart may take home his second Gold Glove in a few days.

That said, Tyler Stephenson proved himself more than capable of being able to handle major league pitching. Stephenson went yard in his first at-bat and there may not have been a bigger home run this season than his pinch hit round-tripper in extra innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

We’ve seen the Los Angeles Dodgers utilize the best of both worlds this season with the defensive-minded Austin Barnes behind the dish while rookie backstop Will Smith occupied the designated hitter role more times than not. If the DH was around next season, the role Smith occupied this season would be right up Stephenson’s alley.

My fear is that the Reds hang onto both Casali and Barnhart at the expense of keeping Stephenson at Triple-A. That would be a severe mismanagement of the young catcher’s talents. However, I understand the reasoning. Might the Reds move on from Casali or Barnhart this offseason. I doubt it, but it could be on the table.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 26: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. Aristides Aquino, Reds outfielder

What does the future hold for Aristides Aquino? I haven’t the slightest clue. In August of 2019, The Punisher looked like he was on his way to Cooperstown, but a severe slump in September followed by a poor showing in the Dominican Winter League and spring training put Aquino’s future in doubt. The signing of Nick Castellanos surely did not help his standing as an everyday player.

After bursting onto the scene and earning Players of the Month honors in August of 2019, not much has gone Aquino’s way. There’s still plenty of pop in The Punisher’s bat, but a .623 OPS is no way to earn a prominent role heading into 2021.

I’m a fan of Aristides Aquino, but let’s be real, he was in the Cincinnati Reds organization for eight seasons before making his mark in the bigs. Aquino was non-tendered in 2018, but re-signed with the club a few days later. Is Aquino the player we saw in 2019 or was that an anomaly?

According to FanGraphs, Aristides Aquino owned a 32.1% strikeout-rate in 2020 which is the highest of his career. He was able, however, to gain a 10.7% walk-rate which is a career best. So where does Aquino go from here?

If Nick Castellanos stays with the Reds next season, he’s got right field on lockdown. That leaves the group of Aquino, Nick Senzel, Shogo Akiyama and Jesse Winker battling for playing time in center and left field. I don’t like Aquino’s chances if that group remains intact.

Next. The Reds should extend these 5 players

I have a hard time seeing the Cincinnati Reds non-tendering Aquino, however, he’s out of minor league options, so sending the slugger back to Triple-A exposes him to waivers and you’d have to expect another team to take a chance on him. Eliminating the universal DH could causes a lot of headaches for the Reds front office this winter.

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