Final prediction for the Cincinnati Reds 2022 Opening Day roster

Alright Reds fans, it's time for our last, best, and final roster prediction before the start of the 2022 baseball season. While I wish there was more optimism surrounding the Cincinnati Reds, but given how the offseason has unfolded, I understand the consternation.

The front office made some peculiar, and flat-out boneheaded moves this spring. While some were warranted (trading Sonny Gray to the Minnesota Twins), others were off-the-wall (trading Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners). Then there was one that was downright weird (trading Amir Garrett to the Kansas City Royals).

But, with the recent addition of Tommy Pham, at least the Reds will field, what looks to be on paper, a competitive lineup. Once everyone returns from the Injured List, Cincinnati's odds of competing night-in and night-out look to be more manageable.

The National League Central is not as competitive as the other divisions in the NL. While the Milwaukee Brewers look to be the team to beat, is not as if David Stearns went out and throughly improved the roster over the offseason. The Brewers lost Avisaíl García and replaced him with Hunter Renfroe. Still, Milwaukee has a heckuva starting rotation.

With Luis Castillo, Mike Minor, Lucas Sims, Jose Barrero, Tejay Antone, Justin Dunn, and Donovan Solano all slated to begin the 2022 season on the IL, the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster will have some unfamiliar faces. But, longtime first baseman Joey Votto will be back following a renaissance-type season in 2021. Reigning Rookie of the Year Jonathan India will return in 2022 as well.

One thing we know is who four of the five starters will be. While manager David Bell has yet to announce the team's fifth starter, I think an overwhelming majority of Reds Country knows who it's going to be. So, without further ado, let's see who is most likely to be on 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.

Cincinnati Reds bench (5)

Jake Fraley (OF), Colin Moran (IF), Max Schrock (IF/OF), Aramís García (C), Brandon Drury (IF)

With a four-man starting rotation and expanded rosters to begin the 2022 season, the Cincinnati Reds have some interesting choices to make. Do the Reds take 14 or 15 pitchers into Opening Day? Given that Bell hasn't named a fifth starter, 14 pitchers might be the ticket.

Jake Fraley will be Cincinnati's fourth outfielder. The left-handed hitting Fraley is athletic, fast, and capable of playing all three outfield spots. His role will be an interesting one to watch as the 2022 season unfolds, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Fraley will be in the lineup versus right-handed pitchers.

I'm not sold on Colin Moran. His glove is woeful, and he's horrendous versus left-handed pitchers. While Moran might make the Opening Day roster, I believe we'll see him gone before the end of May. Brandon Drury is little more than a place-holder until Jose Barrero or Donovan Solano return from the IL, but the Reds need a capable fielder who can fill in at shortstop in a pinch.

Now Max Schrock is a player I can get behind. His defensive versatility will see Schrock in a ton of ball games. He also has a steady approach at the plate. Mark may words, Max Schrock will find a regular place in the Cincinnati Reds lineup by the end of the season.

Finally, the battle for Tyler Stephenson's backup is between Aramís García and Andrew Knapp. García has hit well this spring, but Knapp is a switch-hitter and has more big league experience. To me, it's a tossup, but I'll give the nod to García.

Cincinnati Reds bullpen (10)

Luis Cessa (RHP), Hunter Strickland (RHP), Justin Wilson (LHP), Tony Santillan (RHP), Art Warren (RHP), Buck Farmer (RHP), Jeff Hoffman (RHP), Dauri Moreta (RHP), Ryan Hendrix (RHP), Daniel Duarte (RHP)

To say the Cincinnati Reds bullpen will look different in 2022 would be an understatement. The Reds are without longtime relievers Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett. Lorenzen signed with his hometown Los Angeles Angels, and AG was dealt to the Kansas City Royals. Former reliever Mychal Givens signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Lucas Sims will start the 2022 season on the Injured List, so that opens a spot in the bullpen as well. Still, those remaining look to be better choices than Carson Fulmer, Sal Romano, and Cam Bedrosian, all of whom broke camp with Cincinnati last season.

Tony Santillan and Dauri Moreta are locks to make the relief corp out of spring training. Go ahead and pencil in Justin Wilson as the team's only left-handed reliever. Luis Cessa, Wilson's teammate with the New York Yankees last season, will get an opportunity to be the Reds closer in 2022.

Hunter Strickland was brought in to shore up the back of the Cincinnati bullpen, and Art Warren may see increased chances to close out games following a spectacular season during his first year in the Queen City. Look for Jeff Hoffman to be involved early and often as the former starter can pitch multiple innings in relief.

Buck Farmer, the former Detroit Tigers reliever, has looked good so far in spring training. It seems like a safe bet that Farmer will be selected to the major league roster. Ryan Hendrix struggled mightily last season, but the 27-year-old has looked fantastic during his time in Goodyear and appears ready to prove the doubters wrong.

Finally, look for Daniel Duarte to make his major league debut in 2022 and break camp with the Reds. Duarte posted solid numbers (31.8% strikeout-rate) in the minors last season and has no problem inducing swings and misses. We'll likely see the 25-year-old shuttled up and down I-71 throughout his rookie season.