Final prediction for the Cincinnati Reds 2022 Opening Day roster

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.