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

Scott Heineman, Reds centerfielder

Scott Heineman is listed as an outfielder, but the former Texas Rangers slugger has some experience at first base. Heineman has been turning heads in Reds camp anyway, so if Joey Votto is scheduled to miss Opening Day, Heineman would certainly be a candidate to fill in at first base.

Heineman’s versatility to play first base and the outfield already had him on the cusp of making Cincinnati’s roster out of camp. It’s not as though David Bell had been looking to platoon anyone with Joey Votto at first base, but having a right-handed bat opposite the former MVP certainly can’t hurt.

Heineman has fewer than 150 major league at-bats, so it’s hard to be dismissive of his .189 career batting average. During his minor league career, Heineman slashed .307/.371/.463 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs in 129 games at Triple-A Nashville.

While in the minors, Scott Heineman started nine games at first base, with the majority of his playing time coming in the outfield. Heineman also fielded 24 games at first base while playing for the Oregon Ducks in college.

Scott Heineman adds a speed element to the Cincinnati Reds lineup as well. Right now, I look at Heineman as a borderline candidate to make the team’s Opening Day roster. However, with Joey Votto on the injured list, Heineman may actually find himself in the starting lineup Opening Day.