4 Reds position battles to watch in spring training

For all intents and purposes, the Cincinnati Reds are done making moves this offseason. Sure, you're bound to see a handful of minor-league signings and non-roster invites in the coming weeks, butReds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall recently said, “I think we’re probably in a spot where this is your team going into camp."

With the roster building essentially in the rearview mirror, Reds fans can now direct their attention to impending roster battles set to take place during spring training. Several positions are set in stone — Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo in the starting rotation, and Tyler Stephenson hanging the signs on Opening Day.

But there are a handful of position battles that will impact the roster once the Reds arrive in Arizona later this month. Which four position battles should Reds fans keep an eye on this spring?

4 Reds position battles to watch in spring training

Reds starting first baseman

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand
• Spencer Steer
• Jeimer Candelario

First base is a position that hasn't received mush fanfare this offseason, but the lack of production in 2024 was eye-catching. Reds' first basemen posted a combined .640 OPS in 2024, ranking them 29th in the league, ahead of only the New York Yankees.

The addition of outfielder Austin Hays may push Steer back to the infield dirt, and his defensive metrics favor first base over any other position. Encarnacion-Strand will need to prove that he's fully healthy, as will Candelario. This may be a two-horse race between Steer and Encarnacion-Strand.

Reds starting third baseman

• Jeimer Candelario
• Spencer Steer
• Noelvi Marte
• Santiago Espinal
• Matt McLain
• Gavin Lux

Though he has previous experience at third base, it's unlikely that Encarnacion-Strand will get a long look at the hot corner. But both Steer and Candelario could be in the mix. The Reds would love for Noelvi Marte to prove the doubters wrong and absolutely rake during Cactus League play, but his poor showing in the Dominican Winter League brings a measure of uncertainty.

The two most interesting options at third base are McLain and Lux. The former has minor-league experience manning third base, but that's foreign territory for Lux. Both players are likely to also log time at second base. Most fans believe Candelario has the inside track, but as the competition unfolds, keep an eye out for Espinal.

Reds No. 5 starting pitcher

• Rhett Lowder
• Graham Ashcraft
• Andrew Abbott
• Jose Acuña
• Connor Phillips
• Carson Spiers

If healthy, four of the five spots in the Reds' starting rotation can be written in stone. Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and Nick Martinez will be in the Reds Opening Day rotation. But that last spot could be up for grabs.

Conventional wisdom would lead one to believe that Abbott has first dibs. But Lowder and Ashcraft will have something to say about it once spring training begins. Acuña is a long shot, and Spiers is better suited for the bullpen. Phillips will get a look, but is almost certainly ticketed to start the year at Triple-A. This is Abbott's spot to lose, but he won't just be handed the job.

Reds bullpen (last two spots)

• Luis Mey
• Yosver Zulueta
• Alex Young
• Zach Maxwell
• Ian Gibaut
• Lyon Richardson
• Carson Spiers
• Bryan Shaw

Easily the most competitive position battle during spring training will be among the Reds relief corps. Alexis Díaz, Brent Suter, Tony Santillan, Emilio Pagán, Sam Moll, and Taylor Rogers are in. If Buck Farmer is signed in the coming weeks — which is becoming increasingly likely, we're looking at eight or nine pitchers jockeying for one spot.

At the moment, you can probably give a slight edge to Shaw. His familiarity with Terry Francona certinaly helps his standing. Young and Gibaut, having been part of the organization for the last few years, will also be given every chance to win a job before the season gets underway. One name not mentioned here — for the moment — is Ashcraft. If the Reds push him from the rotation to the bullpen, he's got a great chance to win a roster spot coming out of spring training.

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