3 Reds rookies, not in the starting rotation, who will have an increased role in 2023

The Cincinnati Reds are a team in transition and last season saw an irregularly high number of rookies take the field. The 2023 season will see much of the same as Cincinnati looks to rebuild its roster from the inside out.

The Reds saw both Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson take the field for their second major league season in 2022. Both struggled with injuries, but the assumption prior to last season was that the duo would have a big role in the team's performance.

Several Reds rookies, including starters Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft, made an impact on last year's squad and much will be expected from those players as they head into Year 2 of their major league journey. Which three Cincinnati Reds rookies, not in the starting rotation, should expect an increased role as as they enter their sophomore campaign?

1. Reds OF Stuart Fairchild will have an increased role in 2023.

One of the most underrated acquisitions last season for the Cincinnati Reds was actually a re-acquisition. After trading away Stuart Fairchild in 2020 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nick Krall was able to bring the outfielder back to the Queen City in 2022.

Fairchild appeared in 38 games for the Redlegs last season and slashed .279/.374/.523 with five home runs in 86 at-bats. Fairchild played all over the outfield but appeared most comfortable in left field.

After finally parting ways with longtime outfielder Aristides Aquino, it would appear as though Cincinnati will be well positioned to offer Fairchild more playing in 2023. The only other right-handed hitting outfielder on the Reds roster is Nick Senzel, and it's questionable whether the former first-round pick will even be on the roster, much less in the outfield on Opening Day.

Stuart Fairchild could easily be paired with TJ Friedl or Jake Fraley as a platoon option in one of the corner outfield spots. The Washington state native could even find a role in center field as well. Fairchild offers Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell a lot of options, so fans should expect to see the 26-year-old early and often in 2023.