Sneaky spring performance from Reds' 2024 trade addition could cause infield shakeup

Between injuries and disappointing performances, the Cincinnati Reds’ infield is no less murky than it was at the start of spring training. Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz, of course, can be written in ink, but the corner spots are a toss-up.

If Spencer Steer isn’t ready for Opening Day and Christian Encarnacion-Strand moves to first, who mans the hot corner? If it’s Gavin Lux, what happens to the outfield? Luckily, the solution has been staring the Reds in the face the whole time.

Since joining the club around this time last year, Santiago Espinal has done it all. He helped the Reds weather Noelvi Marte’s suspension and subsequent slump. He filled in for the injured CES and McLain. He played five different positions on the field and DH, and he hit .275 coming off the bench. He quietly became a key piece on the team. Now he has a chance to step into the spotlight.

Santiago Espinal may be the final piece of the Reds’ infield puzzle

The Reds avoided arbitration with Espinal and signed him to a two-year contract this winter. The length of the deal demonstrated the faith the team had in the utility man. Considering he took a slight pay cut, he demonstrated some faith in the club as well. Now the mutual trust is paying off this spring and could result in a regular spot in the Reds lineup.

As of March 12, Espinal had a .320/.370/.640 stat line in Cactus League play, and he seems to have addressed a major weakness in his game. Traditionally, Espinal has feasted on lefty pitching but struggled against right-handers.

This spring, though, he has made hard contact (also a rarity for him) against both. In fact over the past week and a half, he has three hits off righties that exceeded 100 mph. That increase in productivity has surely caught the eye of the Reds coaching staff.

This version of Espinal looks more like the player who made the All-Star team with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, and if he can sustain his success into the regular season, the Reds could have a fearsome infield. The path has been cleared with the reassignment of Marte to minor league camp. All Espinal has to do now is stay hot.

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