Reds 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Unexpected shakeup in starting rotation

Opening Day is a little over a month away, and the Reds fanbase is on pins and needles waiting for their favorite team to take the field on March 28th against the Washington Nationals. The Cincinnati Reds will be looking to build off their unexpected success from a year ago, and take the next step toward bringing a World Championship back to the Queen City.

Much of the Reds roster will be made up of second and third-year players. A number of rookies made their big league debut in 2023, and those same players will be relied upon heavily to make an even bigger impact in 2024.

But the Reds front office also made some key free agent additions during the offseason, with hopes that a few veteran leaders will help guide this team's young stars to another winning season. So which 26 players will leave Goodyear with a ticket for Cincinnati?

Reds 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Unexpected shakeup in starting rotation

Reds Opening Day infield (9)

• Jeimer Candelario
• Christian Encarnacion-Strand
• Jonathan India
• Tyler Stephenson
• Matt McLain
• Noelvi Marte
• Elly De La Cruz
• Luke Maile
• Josh Harrison (NRI)

How will the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day infield will pan out? Outside of Matt McLain at second base and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, only manager David Bell knows how he'll fill out his lineup card. However, it's quite likely that Jeimer Candelario will occupy one corner infield spot with one of Noelvi Marte, Jonathan India or Christian Encarnacion-Strand snagging the other.

Reds fans will have to come to the understanding that, when fully healthy, one of the Reds top position players will actually open the game on the bench. India, Marte, Candelario, and Encarnacion-Strand will all see plenty of at-bats, but on occasion, somebody is going to be in the dugout. India and Encarnacion-Strand are also getting reps in the outfield this spring.

Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile will be splitting time behind the dish. After spending time between both catcher and DH a year ago, it appears as though Stephenson is ready to return to his rightful spot as the Reds' starting catcher.

Jose Barrero has about 30 days to prove his worth to the Reds organization. To date, Barrero has never lived up to the hype, and he's given no reason to believe that he ever will. With that, look for Cincinnati native Josh Harrison to secure the final infield spot on the Reds Opening Day roster.

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