Final Reds roster cuts will come down to these 2 position players

The Cincinnati Reds have made some significant roster cuts over the past week. Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand have all been reassigned to minor-league camp.

But not every position on the Reds roster has been decided. While it would appear that Joey Votto will be ready for Opening Day, the same cannot be said for former first-round draft choice Nick Senzel.

Senzel's absence from the Opening Day roster leaves, what's likely to be, one open spot on the Reds group of 13 position players. So who gets that final spot?

Final Reds roster cuts will come down to these 2 position players.

Let's try to put it all together, shall we? If the Cincinnati Reds are carrying three catchers, then Luke Maile, Curt Casali, and Tyler Stephenson will all be part of the Opening Day roster.

Jonathan India, Spencer Steer, Joey Votto, and one of either Jose Barrero or Kevin Newman will be part of Cincinnati's Opening Day infield. The starting outfield will likely be comprised of Wil Myers, Will Benson, and TJ Friedl with Jake Fraley acting as the team's designated hitter against right-handed starters.

By my count, that's 12, and with Cincinnati likely to carry 13 pitchers, the battle for the final roster spot will come down to Stuart Fairchild versus Chad Pinder.

Fairchild received an audition with the big-league club after being plucked off waivers last summer. Pinder, a former utility player for the Oakland Athletics, was signed to a minor-league contract during the offseason.

Fairchild offers more upside after playing in 38 games for the Reds last season with a slash line of .279/.374/.523. Pinder did not have much success at the dish in 2022, but as a veteran with a .417 career-slugging percentage and the versatility to play almost every position on the diamond.

Players like Henry Ramos, Jason Vosler, and Matt Reynolds could be in the mix as well, but once the Cincinnati Reds make their final roster cuts, expect Stuart Fairchild or Chad Pinder to break camp with the major-league club.