Final prediction for the Cincinnati Reds 2022 Opening Day roster

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup (9)

Joey Votto (1B), Jonathan India (2B), Kyle Farmer (SS), Mike Moustakas (3B), Tyler Naquin (RF), Nick Senzel (CF), Tommy Pham (LF), Tyler Stephenson (C), Aristides Aquino (DH)

Not much has changed from our previous prediction. Jonathan India is still the Cincinnati Reds starting second baseman, and last year's NL Rookie of the Year will unquestionably be the team's leadoff hitter in 2022.

Depending on the pitching matchup, India will likely be followed by Tyler Naquin (versus right-handed pitchers) or Tommy Pham (versus left-handed pitchers). We may see some platooning from David Bell throughout the season, with Jake Fraley getting a handful of starts each week, but Naquin and Pham will be part of the Reds lineup on a regular basis.

Joey Votto, Tyler Stephenson, and Nick Senzel will be in the lineup almost every night. Votto is coming off his best season since 2017 and Stephenson is looking to justify why the front office traded Tucker Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers shortly after the 2021 season. Senzel has one goal in 2022; stay healthy.

Mike Moustakas will open the 2022 season at the hot corner, but I expect to see plenty of times when Moose is the Reds universal DH as well. With Jose Barrero on the shelf for a month or so, Kyle Farmer is the unquestioned starting shortstop heading into the upcoming season.

Finally, with the aforementioned Barrero and Donovan Solano opening the season on the IL, I expect to see Aristides Aquino make the cut. With no real right-handed power bat to speak of, and The Punisher out of minor league options, I believe the Reds will give Aquino one last chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a major leaguer.