This player will be the Reds 2023 Opening Day third baseman

Who will be the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day third baseman next season? Well, we now know that it won't be Mike Moustakas. The Reds designated Moose for assignment last week.

Kyle Farmer is not in the mix either. A longtime utility infielder, Farmer logged a lot of innings at third base last season after the Cincinnati brass made the decision to get an extended look at Jose Barrero as the team's shortstop.

The competition for the spot is sure to be fierce once spring training begins, but one player would seem to have an advantage over all the others. Look for Spencer Steer to emerge as the Cincinnati Reds third baseman next season.

Spencer Steer will be the Reds 2023 Opening Day third baseman.

Spencer Steer had a cup of coffee with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022. Steer, along with Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Steve Hajjar, was part of the return from the Twins after Minnesota acquired right-hander Tyler Mahle at the trade deadline.

Steer was used all over the infield last season, as it appeared as though Reds manager David Bell was trying to find an everyday spot for the 25-year-old. Steer possesses an advanced bat and good eye at the plate. With Mike Moustakas and Kyle Farmer no longer on the roster, one has to assume that Steer has the inside track for the starting job at the hot corner.

However, there will be others who'll be competing for that spot as well. Matt Reynolds, Alejo Lopez, and even Nick Senzel will all get a look at third base. Noelvi Marte will be in big league camp this spring as well, but fans should not expect to see the 20-year-old as part of the Reds Opening Day roster.

Steer didn't put up great numbers in his limited time in the bigs last season. The former Twins prospects slashed just .211/.306/.326. But Steer did have a penchant for the big moment. Steer's first big league hit was a home run, and his walk-off double against the Chicago Cubs in October was quite clutch.

Typically, a third baseman possesses the type of power to rip 20-plus home runs per season. That wasn't part of Steer's game until the 2021 minor league season in which he smacked 24 round trippers. Steer blasted 23 homers last season as well. If that power is sustainable, he'll have no problem starting at third base for the Reds next season.