5 roster questions for Cincinnati Reds as MLB Cactus League video games open

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Here are 5 points that can have to be addressed as spring coaching video games have begun for the Reds.
The fifth spot within the beginning rotation and the way the roster depth is set upon are at prime of thoughts for Reds followers and officers.
Veteran Brandon Lowe is on a minor league contract, however would he actually begin the season in Louisville?

GOODYEAR, Arizona – With Cactus League play in full swing and fewer than 4 weeks of spring coaching left earlier than breaking camp, the Cincinnati Reds have a minimum of just a few necessary selections to type out.

Emphasis on just a few. Which is an enormous departure from current years, when questions abounded in virtually each place space.

With good well being, many of the beginning lineup and pitching roster is about.

The massive issues left to resolve:

Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and taking the No. 5 starter spot

The power-pitching right-hander and former No. 2 total draft choose who struck out 10 in 4 of his final 5 begins throughout a 13-appearance debut final season?

Or the poised command pitcher and former No. 7 total choose who produced a 1.17 ERA throughout a six-start debut in 2024 earlier than a pair of accidents derailed his 2025 season?

The first one, Chase Burns, began the Reds’ Cactus League opener and pitched two scoreless innings. Burns was adopted in fast succession by the second, Rhett Lowder, who allowed one run in two innings.

Both are wholesome, trying sturdy early in camp and positioned effectively to affix the 4 veterans within the rotation because the fifth starter.

Unless left-hander Brandon Williamson or righty Julian Aguiar have one thing to say about it.

Six-man rotation, anybody?

Spencer Steer, Matt McLain and No. 2 spot in Reds order

The Reds have a reasonably good thought, who’s batting within the 1, 3, 4 and 5 spots when the season opens in opposition to the Boston Red Sox and, seemingly, going through lefties Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suarez in two of the primary three video games.

Lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is again within the leadoff spot with switch-hitting Elly De La Cruz and righty Eugenio Suárez batting 3-4, and rookie Sal Stewart a number one candidate for the 5 gap if camp performs out in response to best-laid plans and imaginative and prescient.

That makes the two gap the largest potential lineup resolution between at times. Matt McLain was speculated to be that man till struggling practically all of final season and profiles as Francona’s most popular superb if he can hit like he did in 2023; however he’s acquired a protracted sufficient haul to earn again that stature that he won’t have sufficient time in camp to do it.

That would possibly give Spencer Steer an inside lane for the race, and Noelvi Marte would possibly ultimately be an choice if he seems extra comfy in opposition to left-handers than he did final season.

Brandon Williamson and the third lefty spot in Reds bullpen

The Reds’ bullpen seems stronger, on paper, than it has in years, with massive arms, expertise and simply sufficient left-right steadiness.

With as many as seven pitchers locked into spots, barring harm, the important thing resolution seems to return down as to whether the Reds preserve a 3rd lefty after Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke.

The veteran Sam Moll?

What about Brandon Williamson, who opens Cactus League play within the rotation battle? If he doesn’t pull off the upset for the fifth spot, might he discover an necessary function as a multi-inning reliever?

The Reds have talked about it, and a part of the dialogue entails whether or not that’s the very best function for the proficient lefty coming off Tommy John surgical procedure. Williamson mentioned whichever method it falls, he desires a big-league job and can do regardless of the staff wants.

Utility futility and Reds’ backup roles

With the departure of Santiago Espinal, the Reds don’t have a basic utility infielder on the roster. But they do have a kind of domino impact of backups in any respect the infield spots – some higher than others.

So search for most popular first baseman Sal Stewart getting time at second as a attainable backup to McLain, Suárez getting time at first and third as a attainable backup to Stewart and Ke’Bryan Hays, McLain getting time at shortstop as a backup to Elly De La Cruz, Steer getting time at second (perhaps some third) along with common time in left area.

Then regulate center infield prospect Edwin Arroyo when he returns from the World Baseball Classic to see how shut he seems to a big-league debut – and, perhaps ultimately change into a key answer to the combination.

What about this Nathaniel Lowe fellow?

Lowe is likely one of the extra attention-grabbing hitters in camp after being signed to a minor-league deal simply after camp opened.

He’s a former Gold Glove first baseman who received a Silver Slugger in 2022 and a World Series ring with the Texas Rangers in 2023. And he simply turned 30 in July.

Call him insurance coverage for the rookie, Sal Stewart. Call him veteran depth for the lineup. But don’t name him a Louisville Bat simply but.

As a lefty bat with pop in a largely right-handed combine that hasn’t collectively confirmed a lot, he’s a minimum of price a protracted look this spring.

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