2 Reds prospects who could lose their 40-man roster spots and 2 prospects who could replace them

A spot on the 40-man roster is quite valuable, and with so many talented prospects coming up through the Cincinnati Reds farm system, the organization cannot afford to waste those spots on young players who are underperforming.

There are any number of reasons that organizations add prospects to the team's 40-man roster, but more often than not it's done during the offseason to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft. This past fall, Reds fans saw the team add players like Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte.

But sometimes, it doesn't work out. James Marinan was added to the 40-man roster prior to the 2022 season, and so was Allan Cerda. Both are no longer occupying those positions. Let's look at two prospects who could very likely lose their 40-man roster spots and two prospects who are looking to secure one of their own.

Reds prospect Ricky Karcher could lose his spot on the 40-man roster.

James Marinan was just mentioned, and Ricky Karcher could soon follow in his footsteps. The Cincinnati Reds added Karcher to the 40-man roster this past offseason, in part, because of his ability to triple-digits on the radar gun.

But Karcher has had command issues throughout his minor league career, and those problems are on full display so far in 2023. Karcher was optioned to Triple-A Louisville before the season started as a member of the Bats bullpen.

Karcher has more walks than strikeouts, which is never a good stat to carry as a pitcher. His ERA is north of 20.00, and while it's very early in the season, it feels rather likely that Karcher would go unclaimed this early in the season if the Reds decided to designate the right-hander for assignment.

It seems a little hasty to DFA Ricky Karcher so soon, but with so many young and talented player in the Reds farm system, if you're not producing, you're not going to stay. Unless Karcher suddenly learns how to throw strikes, his time on the 40-man roster will be very short-lived.

Reds prospect Matt McLain could be added to the 40-man roster.

This isn't a matter of if, but when. Matt McLain has started out so well in the minor leagues this season that many Reds fans are clamoring for the club to just bite the bullet and call him up to the big leagues ASAP.

There's some merit to that argument, as it's not as if the current shortstops on the Cincinnati Reds roster are setting the world on fire. Kevin Newman is little more than a placeholder until McLain and Elly De La Cruz are called up, and Jose Barrero has struggled multiple times throughout his big league career.

That said, Barrero made som adjustments to his batting stance and his swing during the offseason and the Reds are allowing him the opportunity to show that those adjustments can transform him into a legitimate major league hitter rather than a strikeout waiting to happen.

McLain has been getting a lot of work at second base down in the minor leagues while De La Cruz has been getting the lion's share of starts at shortstop. It's hard to see the Cincinnati Reds moving Jonathan India off the keystone despite his defensive struggles in 2023.

If Matt McLain keeps punishing the baseball in the same manner that he has through the first month of the season, the UCLA product may get his chance in the big leagues prior to Memorial Day. McLain will snag a spot on the Reds 40-man roster and make his MLB debut very soon.

Reds prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand could be added to the 40-man roster.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand isn't a "lock" to get the nod this season. But if the Cincinnati Reds are out of contention after the All-Star break, one could see Encarnacion-Strand getting called up to the big leagues later this summer.

While he had a successful college career and absolutely decimated the competition in the minors last season, Encarnacion-Strand is still a little raw. That's especially true on defense, as the Reds are trying to swtich Encarnacion-Strand from third to first base.

That's not necessarily an easy transisition, and it's certainly one that the Reds can take their time with. While Joey Votto is still on the IL, Cincinnati has Wil Myers, Tyler Stephenson, and even Spencer Steer taking turns at first base during the early-going of the 2023 season.

If the Reds don't have a spot in the everyday lineup for Encarnacion-Strand, there's no need to rush the 23-year-old to the major leagues. But, the team will still have to select Encarnacion-Strand's contract and add him to the 40-man roster prior to his call-up.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand has the makings of a middle-of-the-order bat, and with his experience at the hot corner, the Oklahoma State alum could find tremendous success at first base as well. All of Reds Country is excited to see Encarnacion-Strand in the big leagues. Don't worry, he'll be up soon.