Reds looking for options in CF as Senzel recovers
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Compared to the other Cincinnati Reds teams that manager David Bell has coached over the past five years, the 2023 lineup will be a detailed puzzle to put together. Aside from Jonathan India at second base, there isn’t a position player on the roster who’s healthy and just has one entrenched position.
If first baseman Joey Votto misses time at the start of the season due to his shoulder injury, that has an impact on who the Reds start at catcher and at every spot in the outfield. If center fielder Nick Senzel isn’t ready for the start of the season as he recovers from a toe injury, the entire lineup could receive another shake-up.
Senzel is continuing through a running progression after breaking one of his toes in September. He hasn’t played live defense yet or run the bases, and his status for opening day is up in the air. Who starts in center field is one of the biggest questions at Reds’ spring training.
The Reds have eight healthy options and a ninth when Senzel is ready. The most likely candidates are left-handed, leaving a platoon opportunity up for grabs.
If Votto and Senzel are out, then Will Benson and TJ Friedl are projected to start most games against right-handed pitchers. Benson and Friedl are lefthanded hitters with reputations for making highlight plays.
In the scenario that Votto and Senzel aren’t ready, Wil Myers and Tyler Stephenson will be the primary first basemen. When Myers is at first, there’s a spot in the lineup for Benson, Friedl and left fielder Jake Fraley in the outfield against right-handed pitchers.
When Stephenson starts at first base, which will be about 20% of the time, there’s still enough room for all of the outfielders to stay in the lineup. Benson, Friedl, Fraley and Myers could split the three outfield spots and be the designated hitter against right-handed pitchers, and Benson or Friedl would be the likely center fielder. Stuart Fairchild, who was designated for assignment twice in 2022, finished the year with the Reds and played in 38 games. Even though the Reds’ roster was thin, Fairchild wasn’t a priority for Bell to get in the lineup. Fairchild lost at-bats to Friedl, Michael Siani and Aristides Aquino.
In 2023, the Reds will likely need a right-handed center fielder to platoon with Friedl or Benson if Senzel isn’t ready. Last season, Fraley, Friedl and Benson combined to start just seven games against left-handed starting pitchers.
Fairchild is the only experienced righthanded option for center field in MLB camp, making him the favorite to start against left-handed pitchers.
The other option is utility player Nick Solak, who split time last season between Triple-a and MLB with the Texas Rangers organization. Solak, who hit .207 last season, has a reputation as a good right-handed contact hitter with speed, but the biggest issue for him entering the center field mix is his lack of experience.