Cincinnati Reds: 3 replacements at first base with Joey Votto on injured list

Joey Votto has tested positive for COVID-19, and the former MVP will be shelved for at least the next seven days. Votto was placed on the injured list and the Cincinnati Reds may need a replacement at first base for Opening Day if the six-time All-Star is not back by April 1st.

The Reds are not devoid of players who are able to field the position, but there’s no top tier prospect or young gun within the organization who’s ready to step up and fill in for Votto. Let’s take a look at the three most likely options should the 14-year veteran miss any time to begin the 2021 season.

Mike Moustakas, Reds second baseman

The most likely candidate would be Cincinnati’s second baseman Mike Moustakas. Last year’s prize free agent signing was brought to the Queen City to field second base, but he filled in at first base for 10 games last season with eight starts.

Moustakas is looking for a bounce-back season after hitting just .230/.331/.468 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs. Moustakas spent some time on the injured list last season and is hopeful to be a fixture in the middle of the Cincinnati lineup.

If Moose was moved to first base temporarily, the Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of options available to fill in at second base. Alex Blandino, Dee Strange-Gordon, Kyle Holder, and top infield prospect Jonathan India are all options.

One name you won’t hear is Nick Senzel. Many fans have floated the idea this offseason of Senzel returning to the infield dirt, but Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff have been steadfast in their thought that Senzel is now the team’s everyday centerfielder. If Joey Votto misses any time, Mike Moustakas is the most likely candidate to take over at first base.

Kyle Farmer, Reds infielder

This is easily my least favorite option, but it’s an option nonetheless. Kyle Farmer is most likely ticketed to begin the 2021 season as the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starter at shortstop. However, with Joey Votto on the shelf, the possibility exists that Farmer could be the team’s Opening Day starter at first base instead.

Farmer has put in the work to be the team’s everyday shortstop, but the 30-year-old is a versatile defender who can play everywhere on the infield, including behind the plate. Farmer saw just one inning of work at first base last season, but in 2019, he saw six starts and 72 innings worth of work at the position.

The problem with putting Farmer at first base is two-fold; it weakens your defense up the middle of the infield and it limits the team’s explosiveness offensively. Farmer is career .242 hitter, and though the Georgia native has made improvements to his swing, there’s no proof that he’s going to better than a bottom-of-the-order bat in this Reds lineup.

If Kyle Farmer is playing first base, that means that Kyle Holder or Dee Strange-Gordon are likely to be the regular at shortstop. Holder hasn’t played in the big leagues to date and Strange-Gordon has been a below-average hitter the past two seasons.

Moving Farmer to first base is an option, but it’s not a good one. The only way this move works is if the Reds roll with José García at shortstop and let the prospect take his lumps. This is also not very desirable, and should be a last resort in the event Joey Votto is not able to go on Opening Day.