Cincinnati Reds: 3 under-the-radar players who’ll make an impact in 2021

3. Alex Blandino, Reds infielder

I struggled to find a position player that most fans might be sleeping on, but I think Alex Blandino has an outside chance to make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. While most folks are looking to Kyle Farmer, Dee Strange-Gordon, and Kyle Holder to be the team’s starting shortstop. don’t forget about Blandino.

While I still think that we’re likely to see a combination of Farmer and Strange-Gordon platooning at shortstop this season, that leaves an opening for the Reds utility role. Should the Reds find a true shortstop at some point this spring, then the duo of Farmer and Strange-Gordon could fill that role. If not, Blandino could fill in nicely.

Don’t forget that Alex Blandino is a former first-round pick and a versatile infielder who’s capable of playing all four positions on the infield dirt. Blandino is a solid, yet unspectacular player who, unlike Farmer and Strange-Gordon, has a keen eye at the dish.

Alex Blandino is not a power-hitter, and that’s okay. The Reds have more than enough power bats in their lineup. What they need is a couple hitters who can just get on base. That’s something that Blandino does quite well.

The 28-year-old has a career on-base percentage of .349. Farmer’s OBP is sitting at .297 for his career and Strange-Gordon has an on-base percentage of .311 over the past five seasons. Since 2018, Strange-Gordon’s OBP has dropped to .293. If the Cincinnati Reds are looking for an inexpensive shortstop who plays adequate defense and gets on base, perhaps Blandino is their guy.

Alex Blandino has one minor-league option remaining, and I expect the California native to begin the season at Triple-A Louisville. However, if the combination of Kyle Farmer and Dee Strange-Gordon are not getting the job done come June, I think we’ll see Blandino get his chance.