Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the Opening Day roster 2.0

Reds starting lineup (8)

Mike Moustakas, Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Tucker Barnhart, Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos, Jonathan India

I’m being optimistic here, but I believe Joey Votto will be the starting first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day. Votto has been sidelined since testing positive fro COVID-19, but should he be free of symptoms, the six-time All-Star would have cleared Major League Baseball’s protocols for returning to the field by April 1st.

While he’s had two errors in as many games, putting Eugenio Suárez at shortstop gives the Cincinnati Reds their best offensive lineup. Moving Mike Moustakas to third base and inserting Jonathan India at second base gives Cincinnati a potent set of bats in the starting lineup.

With Shogo Akiyama on the injured list, Cincinnati’s starting centerfielder on Opening Day will be Nick Senzel. This is as close to a make-or-break season for the 25-year-old, as he’ll try to put his injury history behind him and focus on being a key piece of the lineup night in and night out.

Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos will occupy the corner outfield positions. Both players are not well known for their defense, but they’ll let their bats do the talking. Castellanos has quietly had a phenomenal spring in Goodyear.

Finally, look for Tucker Barnhart to start the season behind the plate for the Reds. He may not end the season as the starting backstop in Cincinnati however, as young rookie Tyler Stephenson is looking to cement his place among the regulars on this year’s team.