Reds news: Kyle Farmer and Joey Votto shine in Cactus League opener

It’s a start. The Cincinnati Reds battled the Cleveland Indians yesterday afternoon in their Cactus League opener, falling to the Tribe by a score of 5-1. However, all was not lost as both Joey Votto and Kyle Farmer had productive outings for the Redlegs.

The talk all offseason surrounding the Reds has been centered around who’ll be the starting shortstop. While the front office pursued players like Didi Gregorius and Marcus Semien, it appears that Nick Krall and the ownership has decided to run with Farmer and Dee Strange-Gordon at shortstop in 2021.

Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer narrowly missed hitting a home run.

Kyle Farmer stepped to the plate with one out in the top of the third with outfielder Mark Payton having reached on a walk to leadoff the inning. Farmer took a 3-0 pitch that nearly left the yard, and as is caromed off the right field wall, Farmer rounded second base and ended up at third.

Oscar Mercado made a nice throw to the cut off man and Andrew Gimenez gunned down Payton at the plate, robbing Farmer of an RBI double. However, the next batter was sure to bring in a run for the Reds.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was seeing the ball well.

In the first game of spring training, Joey Votto looked to be in midseason form. In his first at-bat, Votto lined the ball up the middle for the team’s first hit of 2021, and the six-time All-Star followed that up by bringing home Farmer from third on an RBI single in the top of the third inning.

Reds fans are hopeful that what they saw on Sunday afternoon is a sign of things to come. The team needs Farmer or Strange-Gordon to step up and take the reins at shortstop. With José García likely ticketed to start the season in the minor leagues, Cincinnati is hoping for adequate offensive production from Farmer, Strange-Gordon, or another of the team’s possible shortstops.

Kyle Holder also saw action in Sunday’s tilt against the Indians, but the Rule 5 draftee went 0-for-1, but did turn in a nice double-play in the fifth inning; flipping a grounder to fellow infielder Jonathan India who turned it over to Cheslor Cuthbert who replaced Joey Votto at first base.

The Cincinnati Reds take the field again today when they tangle with the Oakland Athletics at 3:05 PM ET. It’ll be interesting to see if David Bell rolls with Kyle Farmer once again at shortstop or if we see Dee Strange-Gordon get the start. Grant Holmes will be on the bump for the A’s, but the Reds have yet to name a starter.