3 Cincinnati Reds who could be the team's DH versus left-handed pitching

With the designated hitter becoming a permanent fixture in the National League during the 2022 season, the Cincinnati Reds have options. It stands to reason that Mike Moustakas will get the majority of reps as the team's DH, especially when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound. But what about a lefty?

For his career, Moustakas has hit right-handed and left-handed pitchers about equally, but the splits last season were very different. Moose struggled against southpaws to the tune of .087/.214/.114. An OPS of .329 isn't going to cut it, and unless Moustakas can prove otherwise, in no way can David Bell trot out the 33-year-old as the Reds' designated hitter when a lefty is on the bump.

So, that begs the question, what should the Cincinnati skipper do when left-handed pitchers like Eric Lauer (Milwaukee Brewers) and Wade Miley (Chicago Cubs) toe the rubber versus the Redlegs? Bell has a few options.

1. Eugenio Suárez should be the Cincinnati Reds DH versus LHP.

The first name that comes to mind is Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez. The Venezuela native didn't put up great numbers at all the past two seasons, but a revival of sorts during the month of September is something the former All-Star can build on.

During the final of month of last season, Suárez hit .370/.460/.808 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs in 87 plate appearances. Throughout his career, Geno has hit .259 off southpaws with 52 of his 192 career round trippers coming versus left-handed pitching.

Perhaps the bigger benefit of slotting Eugenio Suárez into the Reds lineup as the DH when a left-hander is on the mound would be the likely addition of Kyle Farmer to the Cincinnati lineup. I'm of the mindset that Jose Barrero will be Cincinnati's Opening Day starter at shortstop, but if Geno becomes the team's DH on occasion, it would offer Farmer the chance to start at the hot corner.

Farmer's best asset is his defensive versatility, though he did show a penchant for swinging the bat last season as well. Supplanting Mike Moustakas with Suárez when a lefty is on the hill would improve the Reds infield defense.