What the Cincinnati Reds 2022 roster looks like entering ’20-21 offseason

The Reds 2022 roster has a few question marks.

Today, let’s take a way-too-early look at the Cincinnati Reds 2022 roster. I know, we haven’t even solidified the Reds 2021 Opening Day roster yet, but it’s always fun to look into the future, right? Who will still be with the team? What prospects might ascend to the majors? Who’ll be gone? Let’s unwrap some of these tantalizing questions.

Now, obviously we’re bound to make some mistakes with this projection, but isn’t that what general managers do all the time? That’s also the larger point, as Cincinnati fans are surely hoping that Nick Krall isn’t just focused on next season, but the newly appointed head of the Reds baseball operations department must keep one eye on the present and one on the future.

We saw this at the trade deadline back in 2019. While the Reds and Pirates were battling, quite literally, during a game at Great American Ball Park, Krall and former President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams were completing a trade that would send Yasiel Puig to Cleveland and Taylor Trammell to San Diego. That deal netted the Reds 2020 Cy Young-winner, Trevor Bauer.

Now, in this exercise we’re not going to project trades or free agent signings; that’s a fool’s errand. But, we will take a look at some of the team’s longterm investments, project where some high-level prospects might find themselves, and investigate which soon-to-be free agents may no longer be wearing a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

We’re also going to operate under the assumption that given the team’s current financial constraints, we’re unlikely to see any major free agent signings, so don’t look for Didi Gregorius or Marcus Semien to find their way onto the Reds 2022 Opening Day roster. Are you ready? Let’s get to it.

Projected Cincinnati Reds 2022 starting rotation (5)

Luis Castillo (RHP), Sonny Gray (RHP), Tyler Mahle (RHP), Nick Lodolo (LHP), Hunter Greene (RHP)

Are you getting excited yet? I thought so. This Reds starting rotation has the potential to be better than the one we saw take the field in 2020. Yes, I know that rotation featured Cy Young-winner Trevor Bauer, but don’t overlook the talents of Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray, both of whom have the potential to make a run at the award over the next few seasons.

Castillo is entering his first arbitration-eligible season following a masterful performance against the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. Castillo will be the team’s ace going forward and his changeup is one of the best in baseball. Cincinnati would do well to lock up their young star before he enters his final year of team-control in 2023.

Gray is no slouch either. Injuries took their toll on the right-hander during the 2020 season, but Gray still managed to pitch in 11 games a recorded 72 strikeouts in just 56 innings of work. Tyler Mahle shined in 2020 and looks to be a significant part of the rotation going forward. Like Castillo, Mahle is entering his first offseason in which he is arbitration-eligible.

Finally, we’ll get to see Hunter Greene make his Reds debut. The No. 2 overall pick in 2017, Greene was saddled with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in 2019. The flamethrower spent time at the Reds alternate site last season and will likely make his big league debut in 2022.

While Nick Lodolo may make his major league debut in 2021, he’ll certainly be part of the rotation in 2022 as well. Cincinnati drafted the southpaw in the first round of the 2019 draft and expects him to move through the team’s minor league system rather quickly.

Projected 2022 Cincinnati Reds relief pitchers (8)

Lucas Sims (RHP), Amir Garrett (LHP), Ryan Hendrix (RHP), Tejay Antone (RHP), José De León (RHP), Tony Santillan (RHP), Jacob Heatherly (LHP), Riley O’Brien (RHP)

First off, you’ll notice that Michael Lorenzen is absent from the bullpen. The 2021 season will be a key one for Mikey Biceps, as the right-hander’s role is undefined heading to the offseason. Is he a starter or reliever? With Trevor Bauer’s likely departure, Lorenzen could find a spot in the rotation. The California-native is also a free agent following next season, so his future with the Reds is questionable.

Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett might be the two most valuable weapons in the Cincinnati bullpen. Sims became a dominant force when he entered the game and his spin-rate is among the best in all of Major League Baseball. Garrett is virtually un-hittable against lefties. If he can become that same pitcher against right-handed hitters, you’re looking at the Reds next closer.

Speaking of closers, both Archie Bradley and Raisel Iglesias are free agents following the 2021 season, and I have to squint pretty hard to see either player returning. Closing duties might fall to a committee rather than a single player, something that David Bell would probably prefer. Sims, Garrett, and possibly Tony Santillan have the skills necessary to close out a game.

Tejay Antone showed in 2020 that he’ll be a large part of the Reds future. He could make a run at the starting rotation next season, and if he falls short will surely be part of the relief corps. We didn’t see the best from José De León, but the talent is there. Ryan Hendrix was added to the 40-man roster last winter and will likely make his big league debut in 2021.

As for the final two spots, we’re going to go with prospects Jacob Heatherly and Riley O’Brien. Both players have the opportunity to convey to the team’s front office that they have what it takes to be a starting pitcher, but their talents might be a better fit in the bullpen. O’Brien has a nasty slider and Heatherly gives Cincinnati another lefty out of the pen.

Projected 2022 Cincinnati Reds reserves (4)

Kyle Farmer (IF), Jonathan India (IF), Aristides Aquino (OF), Curt Casali (C)

Only four bench players? Don’t forget, we’re going under the assumption that the designated hitter will be part of the National League in 2022. If that’s the case, David Bell, if he’s still the manager, can keep a shorter bench. The Reds, however, will need at least an additional outfielder, infielder, and catcher.

For the outfield spot we’re going with Aristides Aquino. If Nick Castellanos actually opts out of his contract following the 2021 season, The Punisher could be his successor in right field. We saw most of Aquino’s reps in 2020 come in left field, but the right-handed slugger did most of his damage in 2019 after filling in for Yasiel Puig in right after the enigmatic outfielder was traded.

Kyle Farmer’s ability to don the tools of ignorance and be a third catcher gives Cincinnati a great deal of flexibility. Farmer can play any infield position and isn’t even eligible for arbitration until next offseason. Look for Farmer to secure his spot as the team’s top utility infielder.

Jonathan India, a former first-round pick, may find his way onto the Cincinnati Reds roster in 2021. The University of Florida alum has a plus-hit tool. While his primary position is currently occupied by Eugenio Suárez, India is versatile enough to move all over the infield and could sub for Mike Moustakas at second base if Moose slides over to first base in order to give Joey Votto a day off.

The backup catcher may very well be filled by another veteran backstop, but since he’s still under team-control through 2022, we’ll give the nod to Curt Casali. The right-handed hitting Casali may be on his way out this offseason in favor of Tyler Stephenson, but that remains to be seen. Tucker Barnhart has a $7.5M team option for 2022, but if Stephenson is the starter, Barnhart won’t see that kind of money as a backup.

Wrapping up the Cincinnati Reds 2022 roster projections

Well, what do you think Reds Country? I know, it’s hard sometimes to look that far into the future. Heck, sometimes it’s hard just to look ahead to tomorrow, let alone 2022. However, as I mentioned earlier, Nick Krall needs to have a mind for both the present and the future.

I firmly believe, as we sit here right now, that the idea of re-signing Trevor Bauer is a pipe dream. The Reds got Bauer when they did for one reason, and one reason only; to compete in 2020. The pandemic-shortened season and lack of offense contributed to last season’s failures, so Krall and the rest of Cincinnati’s front office must now focus on 2021 and beyond.

The 2022 Cincinnati Reds roster is shaping up to be a good one. I feel very confident with the team’s pitching depth and expect the starting rotation to be the Reds strength in both 2021 and 2022. Will the offense get better? If so, how?

I can’t see a major upgrade to shortstop with the front office putting emphasis on José García’s growth and Tyler Stephenson is one of the most exciting young players Cincinnati has. As the career of Joey Votto winds down entering the 2022 season, perhaps the career of Stephenson will be on the rise.

Nick Senzel is another player the Reds must get contributions from in 2021 and beyond. As mentioned earlier, his trade value cannot be very high right now, so he’s likely part of Cincinnati’s future. The team’s success or failure could hinge greatly on his ability to be on the field. When he’s right, Senzel is a difference maker. However, he’s spent considerable time on the IL the past two seasons.

There’s sure to be some veteran arms added to the bullpen this season, but the maturation of Amir Garrett is another story to following next year and into 2022. Can he be as dominant against right-handed hitters as he is against lefties? If so, Garrett can be one of the best relievers in the game.

Finally, one of the biggest questions entering the 2022 season may be who the manager is. I have to think that David Bell, who’s got two more years on his contract, must field a competitive team next season if he hopes to stick around beyond 2021. A playoff run next season feels like a must in order for Bell to remain the skipper in 2022.