Reds: 3 players who won’t make the Opening Day roster but will contribute

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Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Cionel Perez (43) returns to the dugout. /

Which Reds players won’t make the Opening Day roster, but still contribute in 2021?

Unfortunately, not every player who’s excelled during their time in Goodyear will find a spot on the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. We’ve already seen Kyle Farmer lose his starting gig to Eugenio Suárez, though the Georgia alum will find a comfortable role as the team’s top utility player off the bench. Who’s most likely not make the 26-man roster out of camp, but still make an impact in 2021?

This happens every spring. There’s several players who ball-out during Cactus League play, but due to service time, minor league options, or roster space, a few very talented players are left off the Opening Day roster. However, it’s not uncommon for those players to continue to play well in the minors and receive a call-up to the big leagues later in the season.

Last season was a bit of an outlier, but in 2019, Nick Senzel failed to make the roster out of spring camp, but went on to have solid rookie season before he injured his shoulder in September. Phillip Ervin is a name that comes to mind as well. Ervin historically produced in spring games, but it wasn’t until he was given an increase in playing time that he finally showcased his abilities.

So which spring standouts will be left off the 26-man roster when play begins on April 1st, only to make a huge impact when they finally get their opportunity later in the season? Let’s take a look at three such players.

Cionel Pérez, Reds left-handed pitcher

Now, don’t be surprised if Cionel Pérez makes the Opening Day roster, but he does have a minor league option remaining. Heading into the offseason, Reds GM Nick Krall stressed the importance of having several bullpen arms available to move back and forth between Cincinnati and Triple-A Louisville. Pérez could be one such player.

The left-hander was acquired from the Houston Astros and has been absolutely brilliant in Cactus League play this spring. In seven games, Pérez has gone 7.1 innings, struck out eight, walked four, and posted a 1.17 ERA.

Pérez was originally brought up as a starter, but he looks to be in line for a relief role with the Reds this coming season. With so many veteran pitchers in camp, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jesse Biddle get the call for Opening Day. Biddle is a non-roster invitee and out of options, so in order for Cincinnati to keep the southpaw in play, he must be added to the 40-man roster.

With Amir Garrett having yet to debut this spring and Sean Doolittle struggling to find his rhythm, if injury or poor performance befall either of David Bell’s left-handed relievers, you’d have to think that Cionel Pérez would be the first pitcher called up during the season.

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Aristides Aquino (44) flashes his signature arm flex for fans. /

Aristides Aquino, Reds outfielder

Strange as it may sound, Aristides Aquino may not have a place on the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. The Punisher hasn’t been overwhelming dominant this spring at the plate, and despite Shogo Akiyama’s absence from the lineup, Aquino is not a lock to make the 26-man roster out of Goodyear.

Aquino burst onto the scene in August of 2019. Though he’s shown flashes of power and a skilled defensive pedigree, The Punisher has not found any consistency at the dish. I’m of the belief that Aquino needs to be in the lineup daily in order to find his groove, but he’s not going to get that in a crowded Reds outfield.

Even with Akiyama out of the lineup, Cincinnati has Jesse Winker (LF), Nick Senzel (CF), and Nick Castellanos (RF) ready to take the field on April 1st versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Scott Heineman has outplayed Aquino this spring, and Tyler Naquin is out of minor league options. Both players could supplant Aquino on the Opening Day roster.

That’s not to say that The Punisher won’t have an impact in 2021. Again, I view Aristides Aquino as a starting outfielder, not a bench bat. While Heineman and Naquin provide the ability to play all three outfield positions, neither is likely to find any regular time in the Cincinnati outfield.

Winker and Senzel have not proven that they can stay healthy for a full season, so Aquino should be standing by. If an injury befalls any of the Reds’ starting outfielders, Aquino should instantly become the team’s replacement. Aquino has out-of-this-world power, but he still struggles to hit the off-speed pitch. Some more seasoning in Triple-A is needed.

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Mark Payton (34) catches a fly ball in the second inning. /

Mark Payton, Reds outfielder

The best offensive performance all spring belongs to outfielder Mark Payton. Whether you realize it or not, Payton is swinging one hot bat. Last year’s Rule 5 draftee is slashing .476/.577/.857 with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBIs in 21 at-bats. We mentioned Phillip Ervin earlier, and Payton’s performance is eerily similar to what we saw from Mr. Magic in 2019.

Ervin, a former first-round pick of the Reds, was cut loose last summer following an unproductive 2020 season. However, during Cactus League play back in 2019, Ervin slashed .341/.438/.780 with three doubles, five home runs, and eight RBIs. Ervin was left off the Opening Day roster.

But, Ervin got the call to be the team’s 26th man during the Reds series in Mexico versus the St. Louis Cardinals and eventually carved out a nice 2019 season, hitting .271/.331/.466 and made the Opening Day roster the following season.

I project a similar result for Mark Payton. Payton was taken in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft by the Reds, but returned to the Oakland A’s before the start of the season only to wind back up in Cincinnati via trade. It’s obvious that David Bell and the Reds brass like Payton’s skillset. He’s a versatile defender with power from the left-side of the plate and has adequate speed as well.

Next. 3 Reds who'll lose their 40-man roster spots

Payton has been the most surprising player in Reds camp, and were he on a team that was in the process of rebuilding, the 28-year-old would likely be in the starting lineup one Opening Day. Such as it is, Cincinnati has a full complement of outfielders and is looking to compete for a division crown. Payton will see time in the bigs this season, it just won’t be on April 1st.

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