3 Reds who’ve made the biggest statements this spring

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) attempt to leg out a ground ball.
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) attempt to leg out a ground ball.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Mark Payton (34) catches a fly ball during outfield drills.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Mark Payton (34) catches a fly ball during outfield drills. /

The Cincinnati Reds are a little more than a week away from starting the 2021 season, and several players have played well this spring. However, a select few have used the spring to make a bold statement that they’re ready to make lasting impression this season.

Last year’s stats are a bit skewed due to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down Cactus League play midway through the spring. However, taking a look back at 2019, Phillip Ervin was a standout for Cincinnati. The right-handed hitting outfielder slashed .341/.438/.780, and though he didn’t make the Opening Day roster, Ervin played a role on that year’s team.

Scott Schebler also took the opportunity and ran with it. Coming into camp in 2019, Schebler’s standing with the team was in question, but a strong showing that spring (.342/.490/.579) helped him secure a starting spot in the team’s outfield over top prospect Nick Senzel. Schebler’s season, unfortunately, fell apart after the first month and he was relegated to Triple-A for the rest of 2019.

So who’s followed in Ervin and Schebler’s footsteps this spring? Have they done enough to warrant a spot on the 26-man roster, or at least be one of the first call-ups of the 2021 season? Which three Reds have made a statement this spring?

Mark Payton, Reds outfielder

If you haven’t been watching, then you’ve missed a fantastic performance from Mark Payton this spring. The Illinois native leads the Reds in OPS (1.267) this spring and has seven RBIs in 24 at-bats. Payton, a Rule 5 draft pick of the Reds in 2019, was eventually sent back to the Oakland A’s, only to find his way back to the Queen City via trade last season.

Payton had yet to make his big league debut until 2020 and appeared in eight games for Cincinnati last year. Payton collected his first major league hit, a double on August 25th versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mark Payton is a versatile outfielder who has an outside chance to make the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old has a minor-league option remaining, so it’s possible that he gets beat out by Aristides Aquino or Tyler Naquin.

Look for Payton to receive a call-up sometime this season. His versatility and left-handed power will likely see him yo-yo between Triple-A Louisville and the big league club this season, but there’s an outside chance he breaks camp with the Reds.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Nick Castellanos, Reds outfielder

Nick Castellanos looks like a man on a mission this spring. Has everyone just forgotten that the Cincinnati Reds had one of the best winters of any major league ball club last year? The Reds inked Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama, and Wade Miley, then shocked everyone with the addition of Castellanos. The former Tigers’ outfielder will be looking to redeem himself this season.

Castellanos started the spring the 0-for-13 with five strikeouts and no walks. While it’s just spring training, I’m sure there was a collective sigh from Reds Country wondering if Castellanos was going to struggle in 2021 as much as he did during his inaugural season with Cincinnati.

But Castellanos flipped the switch and he’s been on a tear over the past few weeks. Over his last seven games, Castellanos has hit safely in every game, stringing together 12 hits, including two home runs, a double, and a triple. Over those seven games, Castellanos is hitting .667. That’s good, right?

The Cincinnati Reds need Nick Castellanos to be a force in the middle of the batting order this season. The slugger started out on fire last season. Riding a 12-game hitting streak, Castellanos began the 2020 season hitting .366/.447/.878 with six home runs and 13 RBIs. But, over the final 48 games of the season, Castellanos hit just .192/.262/.395.

Castellanos has the opportunity to opt out of his current contract following thee 2021 season, but it’s hard to see that happening if he posts numbers similar to what we saw in 2020. The 29-year-old has all the incentive in the world to produce big numbers this coming season, and if his spring is any indication, Nick Castellanos is ready to make a statement this season.

Mar 9, 2021; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez pitches. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2021; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez pitches. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds right-handed pitcher

Were it not for the suspension, Vladimir Gutierrez would be in mix for a spot in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation. Unfortunately, Gutierrez was busted for using performance-enhancing drugs, and was given an 80-game suspension. Gutierrez was a non-roster invitee last spring, but the front office has high hopes for Gutierrez after adding him to the 40-man roster this winter.

Gutierrez was signed out of Cuba in 2016 for $4.75M. The 25-year-old is ranked as the team’s No. 14 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and has been quite impressive this spring. The right-hander has pitched in four games, including one start. Gutierrez has been lights-out, posting a 0.00 ERA, allowing just two hits and striking out eight batters over five innings while walking just one.

Gutierrez will not start the season with the Reds, as he still has 18 games remaining on his suspension. However, once he’s eligible to return, don’t bee shocked if Gutierrez cracks the Cincinnati rotation.

There’s been so many question marks surrounding this year’s starting staff, that it’s not out of the realm of possibilities for Vladimir Gutierrez to sneak in for a spot start here and there and eventually secure a spot pitching every fifth day.

Next. 5 bold predictions for the Reds 2021 season

However, if Michael Lorenzen and Wade Miley are able to lockdown their respective spots in the starting rotation, Gutierrez’s fastball/ curveball combo could play well out of the bullpen. Look for Gutierrez to make his big league debut at some point this season.

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