3 Reds players the fans have already lost their patience with and 1 who's earned a longer look

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We're not even two months into the 2023 season and the Cincinnati Reds fanbase is already getting a bit restless. Some changes may be necessary in the coming weeks.

Whether it's the front office's lack of urgency when it comes to calling up some of the organization's top prospects or another losing record during the month of the April, the patience of the Cincinnati faithful is wearing thin.

With the fanbase becoming antsy, there are some obvious candidates who've drawn the ire of Reds Country. Which three players have caused the Reds fans to already lose their patience, and which player's performance has earned him a longer look?

Reds fans have already lost their patience with Luke Maile.

Okay, Luke Maile is the fall guy here. The truth of the matter is that the Cincinnati Reds fanbase hasn't necessarily lost patience with Maile himself, but rather the idea od carrying three catchers on the active roster.

The Reds set out this spring to bring in some veteran backstops with the intention of keeping Tyler Stephenson's bat in the lineeup. Stephenson spent three separate stints on the IL last season and played in just 50 games.

This season, the Reds have attempted to rotate Stephenson between catcher, first base, and DH while also giving reps to the duo of Maile and Curt Casali. The problem is, that really shortens the Cincinnati bench, and neither Maile nor Casali really provide much in terms of hitting when they're in the lineup.

Seeing as how Curt Casali's contract contains a team-option and he's owed more money this season, if and when the Reds decide to move on from the three-catcher plan, it's most likely that Luke Maile gets the axe. Again, it's not necessarily the player himself, but rather the way the roster was constructed during the offseason.

Reds fans have already lost their patience with Kevin Newman.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Kyle Farmer this past offseason and then traded for the younger, cheaper version in shortstop Kyle Newman. The former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop was little more than an insurance policy in the event that Jose Barrero struggled or the young prospects took longer than expected to develop.

Well, Barrero still hasn't figured it out, but Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz are doing everything they can down on the farm to earn a spot on the big league roster. With minor league options remaining, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Reds send Newman down to Triple-A Louisville.

Newman is a fine defender, and he's seen time all over the diamond. But with Jonathan India installed at second base, Nick Senzel gaining his footing at the hot corner, and Spencer Steer's ability to play almost every position on the infield, there would appear to be little need for Newman.

Kevin Newman's roster spot is only guaranteed until Matt McLain makes his major league debut. After that, Newman will either end up in Triple-A or be little more than a bench bat who might receive one start per week.

Reds fans knew, after Newman was acquired, that this was little more than a stopgap play on the part of GM Nick Krall. It's doubtful, however, that the fanbase assumed Newman's time would be so brief.

Reds fans have already lost their patience with Jose Barrero.

This was, unfortunately, over before it even really began. When a player like Jose Barrero, who knows his job is on the line, struggles at the major league level, it's only a matter of time before a change is made.

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon enough Barrero's time on the Reds roster will come to an end. While it's barely two months into the 2023 season and Barrero really hasn't received a fair shake at the big league level, the Reds fanbase has seen enough.

In 2021, it looked as though the team had found its shortstop of the future. Barrero was blistering balls in the minor league while hitting over .300. But after his call-up that August, Barrero just couldn't hack it in the big leagues.

Last season was even worse. A hamate injury prior to the season pushed back Barrero's 2022 debut. After the trade deadline, the infielder received the lion's share of starts at shortstop, but was a strikeout machine.

A hot start was a virtual necessity for Jose Barrero this season and it just hasn't happened. Sure, he's flashed the leather on occasion and is more patient at the plate this season, but the fans are ready for one of the organization's young shorstop prospects to be given a chance. Whether it's fair or not is irrelevant. The Reds fanbase is fed up with Barrero.

Reds fans are willing to give Nick Senzel more time.

It's fair to say that almost every single Cincinnati Reds fan needs to sit back and indulge on a piece of humble pie. While Nick Senzel still has a ways to go before ever living up to the billing that comes with being a first-round draft pick, his play so far this season has certainly been eye opening.

Senzel was left for dead last season after ending the year on the IL for the third time in four seasons. But, after a slow start to the season, the University of Tennessee alum has been playing some very good baseball of late.

Senzel altered his swing late last season but was unable to really see the impact of the changes he made. Fans has seen a little more power from Senzel this season. The 27-year-old had always been known for his bat coming out of college.

But the biggest difference maker has been the vacancy at third base that Senzel might have laid claim to. After shifting Senzel from the infield dirt to the outfield grass before his debut in 2019, the Reds have recently allowed the Georgia native to spend more time at third base.

The results have been terrific, as Nick Senzel is playing phenomenal defense at the hot corner. How things ultimately shake out once all the top infield prospects make their debut is anyone's guess. But for now, Senzel is excelling with his new role and the fanbase seems to be more tolerant than ever.

Next. 5 players the Reds gave up on way too soon. dark

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