Cincinnati Reds spring training: Five most intriguing players to watch

Tyler Stephenson, Reds catcher

Tucker Barnhart will be the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day catcher in 2021. However, Tyler Stephenson may be holding that title heading into next season. With Curt Casali now residing in the Bay Area, Stephenson will get a chance to show if last year’s production was for real.

Stephenson will enter Goodyear as the backup, but he may finish the season as the starter. David Bell, as he’s shown in the past, will surely divide time between his two catchers based on the pitching matchup. Barnhart will get the lion’s share of starts versos right-handed pitchers and we’ll likely see Stephenson behind the plate when a southpaw is on the hill.

The rookie comes in with a reputation for being able to hit, and hit with power. We saw that last season when Stephenson homered in his first at-bat and game-winning blast against the Pittsburgh Pirates was arguably the biggest momentum shift for last year’s team before the Reds made their playoff push.

Since the Reds front office did little to nothing to improve the team’s hitting over the winter, a lot of focus will be on Tyler Stephenson’s offensive prowess. It was a small sample size, but Stephenson’s 1.094 OPS is nothing to scoff at.

More than anything, I’m interested to see how Stephenson handles the defensive side of things. Catcher is arguably the most important position on the diamond, and his handling of the pitching staff will be something to keep an eye on this spring and on into the 2021 season.

Nick Senzel, Reds outfielder

As Reds spring training gets underway, Nick Senzel may come with more questions than answers. Is the former first-round pick really the answer in center field? Should the Reds move Senzel to back to the infield? Will the former Tennessee Volunteer be healthy in 2021? This is what amounts to a make-or-break season for Nick Senzel.

I’ve not been shy in my adulation for Senzel, but he has to prove that he can stay healthy. Regardless of the immense talent this young man has, none of it matters if he can’t stay on the field. I believe for the Reds to have a successful 2021 campaign, Senzel’s presence in the lineup is crucial.

When Senzel is in the lineup consistently, he’s a difference maker. Before his swing change and eventual shutdown in 2019, Senzel slashed .285/.346/.475 in his first 70 games with the Reds. Out of the gates last season, Senzel was one of the hottest bats on the team. After going 0-for-7 to start the year, Senzel hit .289/.364/.579 before landing on the injured list.

For Nick Senzel to be an effective piece of the Cincinnati Reds lineup, it boils down to one thing; staying healthy. During his young career, Senzel has never been counted on to be a key piece of the Reds lineup, but that could change in 2021.

Without any significant additions this winter, Cincinnati’s front office is banking on players like Tyler Stephenson and Nick Senzel to bring a unique dynamic to the Reds offense in 2021. If Senzel stays healthy, the production will come.

Michael Lorenzen, Reds pitcher

In terms of pitchers, no one intrigues me more this spring than Michael Lorenzen. Though he hasn’t yet won the job outright, for all intents and purposes, Lorenzen will be the team’s No. 5 starter this season. How well will Lorenzen’s transition from the bullpen to the back of the rotation go?

I think Lorenzen will pass the test with flying colors. Yes, the last time Lorenzen was called upon to be more than just a spot-starter, things did not go so well. During his rookie campaign in 2015, Lorenzen went 4-9 with a 5.40 ERA in 27 games, 21 of which were starts. Lorenzen posted a 5.45 ERA in those 21 starts, surrendered 17 home runs, walked 55 batters, and struck out just 78.

However, that was a long time ago, and Michael Lorenzen is a much different pitcher now. During his three starts in 2018, Lorenzen put up a 2.63 ERA over 13.2 innings. Last season, Lorenzen earned two starts near the end of the season and posted a 2.79 ERA over 9.2 innings of work. All together, Lorenzen’s last five starts have resulted in 2.72 ERA and 19 punch outs over 23.1 innings.

The bigger intrigue surrounding Lorenzen is how David Bell will use the athletic hurler on his days off. Here’s what Lorenzen had to say to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com as it relates to what his impact could be on the days in between starts:

“I think just having the day off after I pitch is more than enough for me. I think the coaching staff will decide if it will be beneficial to use me in a game the day before I pitch. That’s going to be up to them, but obviously, I’m up for it.”

Michael Lorenzen could be a pinch runner, a pinch hitter, he could be late-inning substitute in the outfield. There’s a myriad of things Lorenzen has already proven he can do, but this season more than any other, might be his best opportunity to showcase all his abilities.

Nick Castellanos, Reds outfielder

I truly believe that Nick Castellanos will be the most dangerous hitter on the Cincinnati Reds this season. The 28-year-old fell woefully below what was expected of him last season, but I don’t think we’re going to see that carry over into 2021.

Castellanos started out like an MVP candidate. Through the first 10 games of 2020, Castellanos was hitting .382/.462/.912 with five home runs and 12 RBIs. However, Castellanos’ production took a nose dive after the first week-plus of the season, the Florida native hit just .196/.266/.408 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs over the final 50 games of the season.

Obviously, no one can keep up the torrid pace that Castellanos set out of the gates, but after signing the four-year/$64M contract last offseason, fans certainly expected better production from the right-handed hitting slugger. Castellanos’ power didn’t disappear, but his batting average dropped well below his career numbers.

Nick Castellanos is entering his second year in the Queen City and still has the opportunity to opt out of his current deal following the 2021 season. Another season like 2020 will almost assuredly keep Castellanos in Cincinnati for another two seasons, but if he puts up the explosive numbers that landed him that big contract, Castellanos may enter the free agent market once again.

Castellanos has all but locked down the starting spot in right field, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jesse Winker get some work there as well. With the absence of the universal DH, the quartet or Castellanos, Winker, Shogo Akiyama, and Nick Senzel will be battling for playing time all season. Castellanos will be looking for redemption in 2021.