Should Jose Barrero start in center field for the Cincinnati Reds next season?

Heading into the 2022 season, the Cincinnati Reds have more question marks than the fans want to see, especially in the outfield.

The likely departure of Nick Castellanos definitely doesn't help the matter, and with Nick Senzel's injury history, the Reds have a glaring hole in center field.

Should Jose Barrero start in CF for the Reds next season?

Tyler Naquin got his fair share of start in center field last season, but if Castellanos signs elsewhere after the MLB lockout, the 30-year-old is likely ticketed for right field.

While the Reds could try their hand with Senzel in center field once more, perhaps the answer is Jose Barrero.

Unless Cincinnati is able to attach the contracts of Mike Moustakas or Eugenio Suárez to a trade this offseason, both players will be on the Reds roster next season.

If the NL implements the designated hitter next season, that's a logical spot for Moustakas.

Suárez will likely get the majority of reps at third base despite a disastrous 2021 campaign. Geno did, however, have a terrific month of September; one the team hopes he carries over to 2022.

After showing that he's capable of playing shortstop at the major league level, Kyle Farmer should be given the opportunity during spring training to beat out Jose Barrero for the starting job.

Barrero does have some experience playing in centerfield, logging 40-plus innings in the outfield near the tail end of the 2021 season.

Jose Barrero has proved all that he can at the minor league level and will undoubtedly be on Cincinnati's Opening Day roster next season.

The question then becomes, will he be in the infield or the outfield?

Cincinnati has shown a willingness in the past to transform infielders into outfielders, though the Nick Senzel experiment doesn't offer much hope.

While most fans remember Billy Hamilton as a terrific defensive centerfielder, very few realize he was drafted as a middle infielder.

A lot of drafted players, high schoolers especially, make the transition from shortstop to the outfield because they're the best pure athletes on the team.

Moving Jose Barrero to center field isn't as radical as some fans may think.

While the Cincinnati Reds may be best served keeping the young shortstop at his natural position, the lack of depth in the outfield make this move a real possibility.