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

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.