3 Reds who made the Opening Day roster but shouldn't have a long leash

The Cincinnati Reds have all but finalized their Opening Day roster. While there aren't many surprises, a few players might be in a bit over their head.

The Opening Day roster is set in stone for just one day, but as the season moves along, the 26-players who take the field on a regular basis can become rather fluid. With so many Reds players beginning the season the Injured List, it'll be interesting to see how many players stick around beyond just the first two weeks of the 2023 season.

It's safe to say that young players like Spencer Steer and Will Benson will be given a rather long leash, but that might not hold true for others within the Reds organization. Which three players who made the Opening Day roster shouldn't have a very long leash at all?

1. Reds SS Jose Barrero shouldn't have a long leash.

This feels like the most obvious answer, right? After falling on his face during his late-season call-up in 2022, Jose Barrero will need to get off to the fast start in 2023. Barrero looked lost in almost every facet of the game last season, but Reds manager David Bell has given Barrero a chance to be the starting shortstop in Cincinnati this season.

It's not as if the Reds didn't prepare themselves for Barrero to struggle. While everyone within the organization is hopeful that the 24-year-old figures it out, Kevin Newman is waiting in the wings in the event that Barrero is stifled early on.

Cincinnati also has two budding shortstop prospects down on the farm who will be ready if called upon. Elly De La Cruz will begin the season on the IL with a hamstring injury, but Matt McLain was taken in Round 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft and had a fantastic spring in Goodyear.

It is imperative for Jose Barrero to shake off last year's shortcomings and focus on the task ahead as his enters what amounts to a make-or-break year for the young infielder. Barrero will not and should not receive a very long leash this season.