3 Reds who could experience milestone-moments in 2023

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One of the biggest milestone moments of the 2022 season was Albert Pujols hitting home run No. 700. Yes, he plays for the hated St. Louis Cardinals, but most of the Cincinnati Reds fanbase can at least respect the work that Pujols put in over the years to reach that milestone.

Now, very few players in Major League Baseball will ever reach that milestone. Even some of the all-time greats like Frank Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr. and Willie Mays never reached 700 home runs.

But there are other career-milestones that players are able to reach that, while they won't make the headlines, are also a tremendous individual accomplishment. Let's look at three players who could achieve such a milestone in 2023.

1. Reds RHP Luke Weaver could experience a milestone moment in 2023.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired Luke Weaver during the offseason after signing the veteran pitcher to a one-year contract. It's still unkown as to whether or not Weaver will be part of the Reds starting rotation or settle into a bullpen role in 2023.

Regardless, Weaver should be able to reach 500 strikeouts during the upcoming season. Currently, Weaver is sitting on 462 career punch outs, so 38 more would be enough to secure 500 Ks in his career. Oddly enough, Weaver recorded 38 strikeouts last season while splitting time between the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Weaver's best season came back in 2019 with the D-backs. Starting 12 games that season, Weaver posted a 2.94 ERA and struck out 69 batters. Injuries have marred Weaver's career over the past few seasons, so a healthy campaign would be essential to the 29-year-old recording 500 strikeouts in 2023.

Luke Weaver appears to be the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to competition for the final spot in the Reds 2023 rotation. Luis Cessa, Brandon Williamson, and Connor Overton are also vying for a spot.

2. Reds RF Wil Myers could experience a milestone moment in 2023.

Wil Myers signed a one-year/$7.5-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds this winter and will likely be the team's everyday right fielder. However, Myers' experience at first base may come in handy as well as it appears as though Joey Votto may miss Reds Opening Day this spring.

Myers is going to be one of the few big bats in David Bell's lineup during the upcoming season. Gone are Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, and Eugenio Suarez. Even Brandon Drury and Kyle Farmer, both of whom brought some pop to last year's lineup, are playing elsewhere in 2023.

The hitter-friendly stadium that is Great American Ball Park could set up very well for Myers to join the 1,000 hit club. The former San Diego Padre is sitting on 941 base knocks for his career, so 59 more would give Myers 1,000 for his career.

Myers is likely to nestle into the No. 3 or No. 4 spot in David Bell's lineup this season. Once Votto returns, Myers could be bumped down to No. 5 in the batting order, but the Reds manager will want Myers in position to drive in runs.

Wil Myers posted 68 base hits last season in just 261 at-bats. If healthy, there's a good chance that Myers could reach the 1,000 hit plateau before the All-Star Game. Myers is 47 home runs away from 200 for his career. While that would be next to impossible while hitting at Petco Park, there's an outside chance Myers could accomplish that feat at GABP.

3. Reds 1B Joey Votto could experience a milestone moment in 2023.

No one really knows when Joey Votto plans to return to the field in 2023. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman has been very coy about giving out a timetable, and many fans assume that the six-time All-Star will not be back in time for Opening Day.

However, one thing Reds Country has learned over the year is to never count out Joey Votto. Just when you think the 2010 NL MVP has nothing left in the tank, he turns around and puts forth a performance like we saw in 2021.

Will Votto be able to reach the milestone of 350 career home runs? The 39-year-old is currently sitting on 342, so it seems as though it would be attainable.

Reaching this milestone would require a couple things, however. First, Votto has to be healthy. After undergoing shoulder surgery last August, Votto has yet to face live pitching. Second, he'd have to rediscover that swing from 2021 that allowed him to crush 36 round trippers that season.

Joey Votto is entering the final guaranteed year of his 10-year contract extension. There are many that believe this could be Votto's last year in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. Votto isn't just eight home runs away from 350 for his career, but 47 away from Johnny Bench's club-record of 389.

Votto would need a career-year in order to reach Bench's mark. But, if the Reds pick up Votto's $20-million team-option or work out an extension, perhaps No. 19 could eclipse the team-record for home runs.

Next. 7 Reds who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023. dark

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