Reds spring training: Three young players with something to prove

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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Hunter Greene, Reds prospect, #3 pitches against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Which players will be looking to prove themselves during Reds spring training?

With Cincinnati Reds spring training in full swing, several young players will be looking to make a good impression on the coaching staff. A few of these players may even get the opportunity to make themselves known on the big stage during the 2021 season. Which three players have something to prove as Cactus League play nears?

Two years ago, all eyes were on Nick Senzel. The former first-round pick was on track to make his big league debut and was trying to find his footing as the team’s starting centerfielder. It feels strange writing this now, but former Reds outfielder Scott Schebler outplayed Senzel in spring training and won the starting job out of camp.

An ankle injury sidelined Senzel’s start to the 2019 season, but the former top prospect made his debut in May of that year. Senzel adjusted well to his new position in the outfield, but a shoulder injury cut his rookie campaign short.

This spring, some younger players and prospects will be the focal point of the Cincinnati Reds fanbase and coaching staff. Some players will be looking to break into the big leagues, while others will just be looking to make it known that they’re one the rise and will be in the major leagues before you know it.

There are some young prospects like Rece Hinds and Tyler Callihan who’ll be finding their footing and looking to make a good impression. Others like last year’s draft picks Austin Hendrick and Jackson Miller will just be happy to be playing baseball in 2021. But, who are some young players in Reds spring training who’ll be looking to turn heads?

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 01: Jose Garcia #38 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on while waiting to bat. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. José García, Reds shortstop

One player who’ll surely be looking to make an impact during Reds spring training will be shortstop prospect José García. Last season, García was called up to the big leagues having not even played Double-A ball during his minor league career. García looked overmatched against major league pitching and will be looking to rectify that during his time in Goodyear.

Some have advocated, and I’m not completely opposed to the idea myself, that the Cincinnati Reds should just roll with José García as the team’s starting shortstop out of camp. Given the choices, it’s not the worst idea. However, it would probably be more beneficial to García’s development if he began the 2021 season at the Double or Triple-A level.

García’s defense is not in question. The 22-year-old has all the tools to be a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop in the big leagues. The problem is, outside of his 67 at-bats last season, García has yet to face a high-level of pitching. García hit just .194 in 24 games with 26 strikeouts. Those numbers have to improve.

With uncertainty surrounding the shortstop position, José García is bound to get umpteen different opportunities during Reds spring training to showcase his talents. While it likely won’t be enough to land him a spot on the Opening Day roster, it could certainly fast-track the young infielder to the majors by the middle of summer.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 21: Nick Lodolo #86 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning of an exhibition. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Lodolo, Reds left-handed pitcher

Cincinnati took left-hander Nick Lodolo with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft with the intention of moving him quickly up the ladder of the team’s minor league system. Last year’s cancellation of the minor league season put a damper on that plan, but Lodolo will get the chance during Reds spring training to prove that he’s on track to make his MLB debut this season.

While the Cincinnati Reds lost Cy Young-winner Trevor Bauer and fellow starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani this offseason, the rotation appears to still be the best in the NL Central with Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray leading the charge. However, Wade Miley and Michael Lorenzen are both free agents after the 2021 season, which could create an opening for Lodolo.

Nick Lodolo brings something to the table that the Reds haven’t seen in sometime; a quality left-handed starter. Cincinnati’s rotation has been dominated by right-handed pitchers, and the recent acquisitions of Miley (2019) and Alex Wood (2018) haven’t panned out to well. Lodolo isn’t going to blow you away with his power, but the southpaw has good command and control of all his pitches.

I could see the Reds starting Lodolo’s 2021 season at Advanced-A Dayton, and if the left-hander shows he’s capable, they’ll quickly transition him to Double-A Chattanooga. It’s doubtful Cincinnati’s front office would choose to start Lodolo at Triple-A Louisville, but with the structure of the upcoming minor league schedule, he’d get an extra month at work if starts the season with the Bats.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 10: Jonathan India #85 of the Cincinnati Reds shags ground balls during a summer workout. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. Jonathan India, Reds infielder

I’m sure Jonathan India feels like he’s unsure about his future. Cincinnati drafted India with the fifth-overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft just two years after drafting Nick Senzel with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. It was also less than a year removed from Eugenio Suárez signing a multi-year extension as the team’s starting third baseman.

India might be one of the most interesting players to follow during Reds spring training this March. The 24-year-old is a versatile fielder who projects as a second or third baseman. The last time Cincinnati had such a player (Senzel) they moved him to the outfield. What will the team do with India?

Unless the Reds are ready to trade Suárez, which I think would be a gigantic mistake, it’s hard to see Jonathan India as much more than a utility player on the 2021 roster. However, if an injury befalls Suárez, Mike Moustakas, or Kyle Farmer, calling up India makes the most sense.

There’s also the possibility that Jonathan India is dealt sometime this season. With Suárez looking to be the team’s starting third baseman for the foreseeable future and Moustakas under contract through 2023, it seems unlikely that India is going to get his shot. Shortstop could be a possibility, but the franchise seems committed to José García for the long haul.

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If India bursts onto the scene during Reds spring training, I think there’s a chance the former Florida Gator could find a new home via trade sometime this season. India has all the tools to be a starting infielder in the majors, but I don’t know if he’ll get that opportunity with the Cincinnati Reds.

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