3 Reds players who will have a career-year in 2023

2. Reds OF Jake Fraley will have a career-year in 2023.

There was a lot of angst throughout Reds Country when it became overwhelming apparent that the club was throwing in the towel on the 2022 season. After trading Tucker Barnhart and waiving Wade Miley, the Cincinnati Reds traded Sonny Gray to the Minnesota Twins. Then came the big one - Cincinnati dealt Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez, both former All-Stars, to the Seattle Mariners.

In return, the Reds received an injured starter, a rotational outfielder, and two pitching prospects. Well, that outfielder put up solid numbers during the second-half of last season, and 2023 has the makings of a career-year for Jake Fraley.

Fraley was limited to just 68 games due to injury in 2022, but the left-handed hitting outfielder still posted a terrific slash line. Fraley hit .259/.344/.468 while pounding a career-high 12 home runs.

Fraley also dominated right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old struggled versus southpaws, but when a right-hander was on the bump, Fraley slashed .277/.361/.500. Of his 12 round trippers, 11 came off right-handed hurlers.

It might be unfair to call Jake Fraley an everyday player heading into next season, but he'll be on the field every time a right-handed pitcher toes the rubber. Whether in left field or acting as the team's designated hitter, Fraley will find himself in the lineup early and often in 2023 and may be well-positioned for a career-year.