Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster predictions 1.0

Reds 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Starting lineup (9)

Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Jose Barrero, Spencer Steer, Tyler Stephenson, Wil Myers, Jake Fraley, Nick Senzel, Curt Casali

When it comes to the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day starting lineup, there are a lot of questions. The first of which is the health of both Joey Votto and Nick Senzel. If Votto is healthy, he'll be the Reds Opening Day first baseman for the 15th consecutive season. You have to imagine that's a streak he'd like to keep intact.

As for Senzel, he will be in a dog fight to retain his spot in center field. Senzel actually appeared in career-high 110 games last season for the Reds, but his numbers at the dish left a lot to be desired. If, and this is a big if, the former first-round pick is healthy, he'll be on the Opening Day roster. Whether or not he's a regular in next year's lineup has yet to be determined.

Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson will both be looking to bounce back from underwhelming sophomore campaigns. Injuries hindered both second-year players, and the duo will look to prove that last season's numbers were a fluke.

The Reds added Wil Myers in the offseason, and the former Padres star will take over for Aristides Aquino in right field. Curt Casali was another free agent signing this winter, and Reds fans should expect to see the veteran behind the plate at least three days a week in 2023.

The left side of the infield will have a giant question mark heading into spring training. Rookie Spencer Steer will look to solidify a spot in the starting lineup by taking over for Kyle Farmer at third base, and second-year shortstop Jose Barrero will be looking to show that his horrific performance in 2022 was an anomaly.

Whether it's as the team's designated hitter or left fielder, expect to see a lot of Jake Fraley in 2023. Of course, when the opposing team has a left-hander on the bump, Fraley will not be in the starting lineup. Fraley crushed right-handers in 2022, but posted an OPS of just .476 against southpaws.