Reds: 3 players who’ll force their way onto the roster by the All-Star break

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CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 10: Ryan Hendrix #73 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during an intrasquad scrimmage. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Reds have gotten off to a hot start, but there’s always competition for roster spots at the major league level. While the minor league season has yet to get underway, these three players will likely be so impressive that Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office will have no choice but to promote them to the big leagues.

Whether it’s injury or poor play, we know that the roster David Bell started with to begin the 2021 season will not be the one he finishes the year with. We’ve already seen Cam Bedrosian get the boot, and there’s a few other players who’ve underperformed to this point.

The Reds have also incurred a slew of injuries to begin get season. We’ve seen Jesse Winker and Mike Moustakas miss time early, and Shogo Akiyama began the 2021 season on the injured list. Alex Blandino, Aristides Aquino, and Michael Lorenzen are all on the injured list as well.

You never know how things are going to shake out over a 162-game season, but the talent Cincinnati has in its minor leagues is tough to ignore. So which three players might the Reds turn to before the All-Star break?

1. Ryan Hendrix, Reds relief pitcher

Ryan Hendrix has been one of the more talked about prospects in the Cincinnati Reds organization for some time now. The right-hander is currently on the 40-man roster and will likely begin the 2021 season at Triple-A Louisville. It’s not a question of if Hendrix will make his big league debut, but when.

Young relief pitchers inevitably find their way onto the active roster at some point during the season, and Hendrix is the most likely of the Reds’ top pitching prospects to do so. Hendrix has an electric fastball that he can flat-out blow by opposing hitters.

Hendrix also has an above-average swing-and-miss pitch; his breaking ball, that has helped him to a 12.9 strikeout per nine innings ratio. With Cam Bedrosian already being released, the Reds from office is showing a willingness to move on if certain players don’t perform. If one of the Cincinnati relievers falters, Hendrix will be there to pick up the pieces.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Scott Heineman #26 of the Cincinnati Reds prepares for a spring training game. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. Scott Heineman, Reds utility player

The Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of left-handed bats on the 26-man roster. From Joey Votto to Jesse Winker to Mike Moustakas, some of Cincinnati’s biggest hitters begin their at-bats from the left side of home plate. A right-handed power bat like Scott Heineman could be a valuable player to have coming off the bench.

Heineman has experience at first base, but even if Votto suffers some sort of injury or ailment that forces the six-time All-Star out of the Reds starting lineup, I don’t really foresee Heineman getting the start over the likes of Moustakas, Kyle Farmer, or even Alex Blandino. However, if there’s an opening in the outfield, Heineman could find a way to make it onto the Reds active roster.

Heineman played his entire career in the Texas Rangers organization until he was traded this past offseason. Heineman has minor-league options remaining, so yo-yo’ing the 28-year-old between the big leagues and Triple-A Louisville is a very real possibility for Heineman this season.

Aristides Aquino is currently on the injured list, but the writing appears to be on the wall; The Punisher’s time in Cincinnati is coming to a close. With Shogo Akiyama set to return soon and Tyler Naquin leading the team in home runs, Aquino is going to find it hard to see the field.

The Reds ability to bounce Scott Heineman between the majors and Triple-A is an advantage the California native holds over Aquino. Heineman, like Aquino, offers a lot of pop from the right side as well. If he finds early success with the Louisville Bats this season, Heineman may force his way on the 26-man roster.

CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 14: A close up view of a hat and baseball glove in the dugout with the New Era logo before a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3. Riley O’Brien, Reds relief pitcher

You can never have too many pitchers; especially relief pitchers. Injuries happen, early-season struggles sometimes become too deep to climb out of, and sometimes you just don’t have what it takes. We’ve already seen the Cincinnati Reds move on from Cam Bedrosian, and I think Sal Romano won’t be too far behind. If Big Sally is let go, look for Riley O’Brien to make his Reds debut.

Romano snuck onto the Reds Opening Day roster and played well early, but lately, the 27-year-old has reverted back to lack of production that plagued him in 2019. Over his last three appearances, Romano has struck out five batters, but also surrendered five earned runs. Romano’s ERA is currently sitting a 5.11. Another bad outing might be all she wrote for the New York native.

Luckily for Cincinnati, they have a young right-hander waiting in the wings. Riley O’Brien, who was acquired in lsat yea’s trade that saw Cody Reed shipped off to Tampa Bay, was added to the 40-man roster this past winter and seems primed to make his major league debut this season.

O’Brien has a tall and slender build, so many scouts feel that his best spot may be out the bullpen. O’Brien has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, but can greet close to triple-digits on the radar gun. The 26-year-old is an extremely young prospect, ranked No. 16 in the Cincinnati farm system by MLB Pipeline.

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Another name to keep an eye on is Vladimir Gutierrez. The hard-throwing right-hander will began the season serving the remainder of an 80-game suspension for PED use. His fastball/ curveball combo will likely pique the interest of the Cincinnati Reds front office and coaching staff.

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1. Ryan Hendrix, Reds relief pitcher

2. Scott Heineman, Reds utility player

3. Riley O’Brien, Reds relief pitcher

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