3 bold predictions for the 2nd-half of the Reds 2023 season

The Cincinnati Reds enter the second-half of the 2023 season with the postseason within reach.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz / John Fisher/GettyImages
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The Cincinnati Reds were arguably the most surprising team in Major League Baseball over the first-half of the 2023 season.

David Bell's squad owns a winning-record just a year after losing 100 games. Cincinnati leads the National League Central Division by one game over the Milwaukee Brewers and look be buyers rather than sellers at this year's trade deadline.

The Reds are currently 50-41, so with 71 games remaining, how might the remainder of the season play out? What are three bold predictions for the Cincinnati Reds over the second-half of the 2023 season?

1. Bold prediction for 2nd-half of Reds 2023 season: White Sox starter is traded to Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Reds need starting pitching and the Chicago White Sox have a plethora of it. While it's unlikely to see the South Siders deal Dylan Cease at this year's trade deadline, Michael Kopech, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, and Mike Clevinger could all be on the move before August 1st.

A player like Cease will cost a small fortune, and is probably more than Reds GM Nick Krall would be willing to surrender this summer. Kopech, who's currently on the 15-day IL, is also going to cost a lot in terms of prospect capital.

The other three hurlers, however, are slated to become free agents after the 2023 season. Clevinger is currently on the 15-day IL with an arm injury, so one would think it might be wise to steer clear of the former Cleveland hurler.

The other two, Giolito and Lynn, could be rather attractive to teams looking to bolster their starting rotation at the deadline. Giolito's numbers aren't as dominant as what we've seen in years past, but the former All-Star would add some punch to the middle of the Cincinnati starting rotation.

Lance Lynn is an intriguing option, and wouldn't cost as much. Over his last four starts, Lynn has recorded 41 punch outs and made it past the six inning three times. If the Cincinnati Reds are looking to add as starting pitcher at the deadline, the Chicago White Sox might be a good team to call.

2. Bold prediction for 2nd-half of Reds 2023 season: 4 players finish in Top 5 of NL Rookie of the Year voting.

In any other year, the Cincinnati Reds would have the odds-on favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately for a quartet of first-year players, Corbin Carroll is making a play for both the NL Rookie of the Year Award and the NL MVP.

But that doesn't mean that Cincinnati's rookie class will miss out all together on recognition when the awards are announced. Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, and Andrew Abbott will all place among the Top 5 in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

That would be quite the feat, but a deeper dive into the rookie stats would show just how dominant the Reds group of first-year players has been. Among all rookies with 30 or more games played, De La Cruz, McLain, and Steer rank among the Top 5 in OPS.

Only Corbin Carroll and Francisco Alvarez have more home runs than Spencer Steer. Both Steer and McLain are among the Top 5 in doubles among NL rookies this season. Steer leads all National League rookies with 51 RBIs, and in 56 fewer games, Elly De La Cruz is just 10 stolen bases behind Carroll.

On the pitching side of things, several Reds hurlers have made their MLB debut in 2023, but no one has been more dominant than Andrew Abbott. The left-hander, in just seven starts, already ranks seventh in strikeouts among rookies, and his minuscule ERA of 2.38 is second to only Eury Perez of the Miami Marlins among first-year pitchers with at least five starts.

It would take an overwhelming effort on the part of Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, or Spencer Steer to overcome Corbin Carroll, but these Cincinnati Reds players could finish 2-3-4-5 in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

3. Bold prediction for 2nd-half of Reds 2023 season: Joey Votto leads the team in home runs.

It's hard to deny that Joey Votto has absolutely been crushing balls since returning from the 60-day IL following a 10-month recovery from shoulder surgery. While his batting average isn't exactly where Reds fans might expect, one thing is for sure - Votto still bangs.

In 2021, Votto had a renaissance-type of performance for the Reds. Alongside players like Nick Castellaons, Jesse Winker, and Eugenio Suarez, Votto led the team in home runs (36) and finished second on the team that season with 99 RBIs.

Votto, who was always known for his patience at the plate, took a different approach that season that saw the six-time All-Star take a less-measured approach at the dish. Votto became more focused on hitting the ball hard rather than taking those borderline pitches.

Heading into the second-half of the season, Joey Votto is sitting on seven home runs and trails the team-leader Spencer Steer (14) by that same number. Also ahead of Votto are Jonathan India (13) and Jake Fraley (12). Votto is tied with Matt McLain, Nick Senzel, and Tyler Stephenson for fourth-most on the team.

In 2021, according to Baseball Savant, Votto posted an average exit velocity of 92.9 mph and a barrel-rate of 17.2-percent. Those numbers this season, after just 17 games, are sitting at 91.1 mph and 22.9-percent respectively. Votto has a hard-hit rate of 51.4-percent.

Joey Votto, unlike last season, is protected very well in this Cincinnati Reds lineup by the likes of Spencer Steer, Jake Fraley, and Tyler Stephenson. This improved lineup will force opposing hurlers to pitch to Votto. Whether Votto returns next season is very much up in the air, but his ability to still punish baseballs is not up for discussion.

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