Cincinnati Reds: 3 dark horse candidates to start at shortstop in 2021

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 16: Alfredo Rodriguez #3 of the Scottsdale Scorpions and Cincinnati Reds in action during the 2018 Arizona Fall League. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Are there any dark horse candidates who could start at shortstop for the Reds?

There’s a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the starting shortstop position for the Cincinnati Reds entering the 2021 season. Last season, the team ran with veteran infielder Freddy Galvis only to turn the reins over to rookie shortstop José García. Heading into spring training, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will start at shortstop on April 1st against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Reds front office made several failed attempts to sign a free agent shortstop this winter. Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien, and Andrelton Simmons all signed elsewhere and even Galvis signed a free agent deal. Francisco Lindor was out of Cincinnati’s price range to begin with, but the four-time All-Star also has new home with the New York Mets.

Cincinnati has been rumored to be looking into possible trades to upgrade the position. Names like Trevor Story, Amed Rosario, and Willy Adames have been whispered as possible solutions, but there hasn’t been much conversation of late. Even Jonathan Villar, rumored to be on Cincinnati’s radar, is now off the board.

As it stands right now, the Cincinnati Reds would likely enter the upcoming season with former catcher and utility infielder Kyle Farmer as the Opening Day shortstop. I’m honestly not opposed to this move, but there are concerns over Farmer’s ability to field the position on a full-time basis. Who are some dark horse candidates that could fill in at shortstop for the Reds in 2021?

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 10: Alex Blandino #0 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during an intrasquad scrimmage. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

1. Alex Blandino, Reds infielder

To be quite honest, I was very surprised that we didn’t see Alex Blandino in the big leagues last season. The Cincinnati Reds first-round draft pick in 2014 and former Stanford Cardinal had a very productive spring training until camp was shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Blandino, while fat the alternate site all summer, never made an appearance in 2020.

For his career, Blandino is not going to overwhelm you with offensive statistics. However, I think it’s fair to say that unless the Reds front office pulls off a blockbuster deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for Willy Adames, an offensive-minded shortstop isn’t in the cards for the Reds heading into the 2021 season.

Alex Blandino only has 92 career major league starts and less than 200 at-bats, however, in Cactus League play last spring, he slashed .423/.500/.731 with 11 hits in 26 at-bats and seven RBIs. Blandino has a keen eye at the plate as his .349 career on-base percentage suggests. Blandino’s time in the minors saw him post a career-OBP of .365 including .386 at Triple-A.

Blandino doesn’t do any one thing great, but he does a lot of things very well. Blandino fits the role of utility player better than shortstop, but in this season of uncertainty, the Reds could roll the dice with a former first-rounder and see what Blandino offers.

GOODYEAR, AZ – February 28: Alfredo Rodriguez #69 of the Cincinnati Reds tags Austin Allen #30 of the Oakland Athletics out at second. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

2. Alfredo Rodriguez, Reds shortstop

Before there was José García, Alfredo Rodriguez was the hot international signing out of Cuba. The Cincinnati Reds spent $7M in order to sign back in 2016, and the 26-year-old has yet to see any time in the big leagues. Perhaps this season, with uncertainty at shortstop and García in need of more time in the minors, Alf-Rod will get his shot.

Rodriguez is an elite-level defensive shortstop. The problem is, his bat has never matched his defensive production. During his four seasons in the minor leagues, Rodriguez has posted a slash line of .252/.302/.310 with five career home runs and just 93 RBIs. Those numbers aren’t very impressive, and Rodriguez’s limited time in Triple-A Louisville saw him hit just .169 in 88 plate appearances.

Alfredo Rodriguez has beeen hampered by injuries, with the worst coming in 2018. Rodriguez suffered a broken hamate bone which resulted in him playing just 46 games. Last year would have likely been a make-it or break-it year for Rodriguez, but the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the minor league baseball season and we never him make an appearance in the majors.

Entering spring training this go-around, Alfredo Rodriguez has a golden opportunity. While not many fans are familiar with his resumé, Rodriguez can flat-out pick it and will put together some dazzling defensive plays. If his bat has improved, there’s an outside shot that Rodriguez makes the squad out of Goodyear and sees some time at shortstop.

Reds non-roster invitee infielder Jonathan India (85) gets set to defend during a Cactus League spring training baseball. /

3. Jonathan India, Reds infielder

While Jonathan India has never played shortstop outside of nine games in 2018, the former first-round pick could be a terrific candidate to land the position during spring training. India has spent the majority of his professional career playing third base, but he’s seen some time at second base and shortstop as well.

The Cincinnati Reds selected India with the fifth-overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft, and it’s starting to look as though he’ll either replace Eugenio Suárez should the Reds deal their All-Star third baseman, or be part of trade himself. There’s little else the Reds will accomplish by sending India back to the minors.

Jonathan India has improved at each stop the young infielder has made throughout his minor league journey. India’s on-base percentage in his two minor league seasons is sitting at .369 and at Double-A Chattanooga in 2019, India’s OBP was .414; the highest of any of his minor league stops outside of his .452 on-base percentage while playing Rookie-Ball at Greenville in 2018.

Next. 3 Reds prospects who could make the team

India may not yet be major league-ready, but a strong showing in Goodyear could push him into the conversation. The 24-year-old does not possess the same defensive tools as José García, Alfredo Rodriguez, or even Alex Blandino, but his bat is much improved over all three of those infielders.

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