David Bell needs to move this player up in the Reds batting order

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has spoken about his desire to maintain some consistency in the lineup this season. For instance, we saw Aristides Aquino start in the No. 2 hole on Opening Day versus left-hander Max Fried, and Tyler Naquin batted second against Atlanta's right-handed starter Charle Morton last Friday.

Of course Jonathan India has led off each of the Reds first four games and Joey Votto has found a home in the cleanup spot for Cincinnati this season. But there's a player who some might feel is batting much too low in the lineup.

Kyle Farmer has been batting eighth since the season began, and the Reds shortstop has been one of the best hitters on the team. Farmer is slashing .357/.400/.429. Is it time for Bell to move Farmer up in the batting order?

David Bell should move Kyle Farmer up in the Reds batting order.

Going into the 2022 season, many fans had to assume that Kyle Farmer would be batting near the bottom of the David Bell's lineup card. And can you blame him? It's not as if Farmer has had a stellar offensive career. Even with the teriffic numbers he put up in 2021, Farmer had a wRC+ of just 91 and an OPS+ of only 86.

But, so far this season, Farmer has been raking. The 31-year-old infielder is 5-for-14 in the early-going with a double and four RBIs. Farmer was hitting very well in spring training, going 11-for-36 with two round trippers. Farmer also recorded a stolen base over the weekend after swiping only bags last season.

Seeing as how Aristides Aquino and Tyler Naquin have each struck out four times on the young season, perhaps David Bell should bump his right field platoon down a bit on the lineup card. Instead, Tommy Pham could bat second (yes, I know he's hitless right now) with Joey Votto hitting third, and Tyler Stephenson batting fourth.

Kyle Farmer could then hit fifth in the Reds batting order, followed by Mike Moustakas, Nick Senzel, and then the combination of Naquin and Aquino. I'm fully aware than Moustakas has not looked like himself for the past year-plus, but Bell typically prefers not to have back-to-back left-handed hitters in the lineup; thus Senzel batting seventh instead of Moose.

It's still very early and hitters are trying to get their timing down. But if things don't change for the better in the next few games, David Bell should seriously consider moving Kyle Farmer up in the Cincinnati Reds batting order.