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

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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 20: Mike Moustakas #9 of the Cincinnati Reds fields a ground ball against the Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

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.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Scott Heineman (26) follows through on a line drive single. /

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.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Kyle Farmer #17 of the Cincinnati Reds prepares for a spring training game. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. 6 Reds fighting for the last roster spot

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.

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