Way-too-early Cincinnati Reds roster prediction for the 2022 season

With the 2021 season now in the rear view mirror, it's time to focus on next season. The Cincinnati Reds made great strides last year, but have several questions heading into the offseason.

The Reds have a few free agents who are unlikely to return and several young prospects who are sure to make their debut next season. Let's take a look at what the Reds Opening Day roster might look like on March 31, 2022.

What might the Reds starting infield look like on Opening Day 2022?

Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Jose Barrero, Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Stephenson

I feel pretty confident that we'll see at least four of these five players suiting up for Opening Day next season. The only question, in my estimation, is whether or not Jose Barrero is the Reds starting shortstop.

Barrero made his major league debut during the abbreviated 2020 season and had a cup of coffee in the bigs last season. But Cincinnati will be counting on Barrero in 2022.

Barrero began his 2021 season at Double-A Chattanooga and after proving himself there was promoted to Triple-A Louisville where he hit .306/.392/.594. Barrero has nothing more to prove in the minor leauges and should be on the Reds Opening Day roster.

The other four names are virtually guaranteed to be on the roster. Joey Votto, Tyler Stephenson, and Jonathan India will surely be in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Reds when the Chicago Cubs come to town on March 31, 2022.

Eugenio Suárez is a bit of a question mark, but only because of the presence of Mike Moustakas. Some might advocate for the Reds to trade Geno this offseason, but I think that'd be a big mistake.

What we saw from Suárez in September is the player we all remember from the 2019 season when Geno cranked 49 homers. Suárez will be two years removed from the shoulder injury that no doubt effected his play over the past two seasons.