Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster predictions 1.0

The Cincinnati Reds roster is one that is filled with more questions than answers heading into spring training. There are a lot of new faces and a number of key players returning from injury heading into the 2023 season.

One thing fans are unlikely to see this spring is a rash of trades. After the lockout was lifted in 2022, the Reds front office purged the roster of several veterans including Sonny Gray and Eugenio Suarez. Quite frankly, there are very few veterans remaining on Cincinnati's roster.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Goodyear in less than two weeks, let's see what the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster might look like provided that everyone is healthy.

Reds 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Starting pitchers (5)

Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, Luis Cessa, Luke Weaver

The Cincinnati Reds 2023 starting rotation will undoubtedly feature three rookies from last season. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are bonafide starting pitchers in this league and will lead the charge heading into the upcoming season. Cincinnati's next window for contention should feature these two pitchers atop the rotation.

Graham Ashcraft will definitely be the No. 3 starter heading into spring training, and if things break his way during the season, don't be shocked if the right-hander is the Reds ace. Ashcraft will certainly have to improve in certain areas, but he's a competitor and has terrific stuff that relies on soft contact.

The battle for the final two spots in the Reds starting rotation will come down to a handful of pitchers who'll be competing until the bitter end of spring training. For now, the veterans get the nod. With three second-year starters leading the way in 2023, Reds manager David Bell will surely like to balance the rotation with some experience.

Look for Luis Cessa and Luke Weaver to emerge as the final two starters in Cincinnati's rotation prior to Opening Day. Obviously, Connor Overton and Justin Dunn will have something to say about it, as will young prospects Levi Stoudt and Brandon Williamson.