Reds 2025 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Austin Hays oddly creates infield logjam

The Cincinnati Reds enter spring training with a good deal of optimism ahead of the 2025 season. Pitchers and catchers reported to Goodyear, Arizona on Monday with the first workout scheduled for Wednesday. Position players will arrive later this week, though some have already made their presence known.

Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall made a number of offseason moves — most of which were relatively minor in nature. One of Cincinnati's biggest free agent signings came just before spring training began after the Reds agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with outfielder Austin Hays.

Oddly enough, with Hays in the fold, the Reds' infield suddenly becomes more crowded. A combination of Spencer Steer and Gavin Lux were expected to get some reps in the outfield this spring, but one or both could return to the infield dirt following the addition of Hays.

Reds 2025 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Austin Hays oddly creates infield logjam

Reds infield (9)

• Gavin Lux
• Matt McLain
• Spencer Steer
• Elly De La Cruz
• Tyler Stephenson
• Jeimer Candelario
• Santiago Espinal
• Jose Trevino
• Cooper Bowman

De La Cruz and Stepheson are the only players who are guaranteed a spot in the Reds starting lineup. But it's a good bet that Steer, McLain, and Candelario will be in the mix as well. The addition of Hays allows new manager Terry Francona to shift Steer from left field to first base (or third base), which would greatly improve Cincinnati's defense in the outfield, and the infield as well.

Lux, Trevino, and Espinal will all break camp with the big league club, meaning the final infield spot could come down to one of Bowman, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte. Both CES and Marte need to prove that they're healthy, and with Bowman being a Rule 5 draftee, he'll get the nod in this first iteration of the Reds Opening Day roster.

Reds outfield (4)

• Jake Fraley
• TJ Friedl
• Stuart Fairchild
• Austin Hays

Adding Hays really clears up the Reds outfield. Hays will probably get some reps in right field, but when there's a right-handed pitcher on the bump, look for both Fraley and Friedl to be in the starting lineup. Fairchild is out of minor-league options, can play all three positions, and has had success against left-handed pitching. Francona can rotate both Steer and (maybe) Lux to the outfield as needed.

Reds starting rotation (5)

• Hunter Greene
• Andrew Abbott
• Nick Lodolo
• Brady Singer
• Nick Martinez

There really shouldn't be any surprises with the group unless an injury arises during spring training. Greene should be the Reds Opening Day starter with a healthy dose of Lodolo, Martinez, and Singer to back him up. Abbott is the only starter who isn't guaranteed a spot in the rotation per se, but he's got a leg up on the competition. Rhett Lowder, Connor Phillips, and Graham Ashcraft will be part of the discussion as well.

Reds bullpen (8)

• Sam Moll
• Alexis Díaz
• Tony Santillan
• Brent Suter
• Emilio Pagán
• Taylor Rogers
• Buck Farmer
• Bryan Shaw

With camp set to begin this week, the battle for the bullpen likely comes down to two spots. If you, like me, are under the impression that Cincinnati will reunite with Buck Farmer, we're really talking about just one opening heading into Cactus League play.

The addition of Rogers gives Cincinnati another lefty to join the pair of Suter and Moll. Díaz will be called upon to shutdown the ninth inning, and Pagán will be used at the back of the bullpen as well. Santillan is out of minor-league options, so you can pencil him in. That final spot could go to a non-roster invitee, and Shaw is the leader in the clubhouse at the moment.

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