Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the Opening Day batting order

Top of the Reds batting order

1. Jesse Winker (LF), 2. Nick Castellanos (RF), 3. Joey Votto (1B)

The top of the Cincinnati Reds batting order should look pretty familiar. While it may seem odd to see Jesse Winker atop the lineup, don’t put too much stock into the Reds’ left fielder being the team’s leadoff hitter. While it’s possible to see Nick Senzel batting No. 1 more times than not this season, I think David Bell will put Winker in that spot against Jack Flaherty on Opening Day.

Nick Castellanos has looked great all spring, and I’m expecting a huge season from last year’s big-name free agent signing. Castellanos has all the the incentive in the world to let his bat do the talking in2021, as the 28-year-old can opt out following this offseason. In 2019 versus Flaherty, Castellanos was 2-for-5 with a walk.

I know, I know, I’m not the biggest fan of Joey Votto in the No. 3 hole either, but for Opening Day versus Flaherty, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better player to occupy the third spot in the lineup. Votto is .500 hitter versus the Cardinals’ right-hander. More often than not, I expect Votto to be hitting out of the No. 2 hole this season.

But, if Votto truly does try to hit for more power and become less selective with his pitches, the former MVP could be bumped down in the batting order. If Votto’s healthy, expect the face of the franchise to be hitting somewhere in the top-third of Cincinnati’s lineup.