With the DH likely headed to the National League, at least for 2020, we’re going to run through each of the NL teams to see how they might best handle this new need/opportunity and explore any interesting potential roster effects. We’ve already done the Dodgers and D-Backs … now on to the Reds:
This is in some respects a dream scenario for the Cincinnati organization, which has a deep group of outfielders and spent the winter adding defensively questionable hitters. Perhaps the potential for a DH helped inform the team’s rather bold decision to give hefty four-year deals to both Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas.
With the aid of the temporary rule change, the club can really make use of exciting youngster Nick Senzel. The versatile infielder/outfielder could get in the lineup on a regular basis while moving around the diamond, opening the door to additional opportunity for him and additional rest for some veterans. If he’s in the lineup, Castellanos or Moustakas could appear as the DH … or slide over to first base to give Joey Votto a day in the hitter-only slot.
It certainly seems reasonable to think that Castellanos will end up occupying DH duties more than anyone else. He’s not considered much of a defender and is presently slated to line up in right field. The Reds could not only plug Senzel into that slot but can draw upon their bounty of platoon-friendly corner outfielders to maximize offensive output. Phil Ervin and Aristides Aquino are the top righty bats, with lefties Jesse Winker, Scott Schebler, and Mark Payton also candidates for the mix. (Left-handed hitter Shogo Akiyama is expected to spend most of his time in center. Senzel, it’s worth noting, can also play there.)
The Reds came into the year looking to shoehorn offensive production wherever possible. Now, they’ll not only have more chances to do so, but have far more flexibility to avoid the potential run-prevention problems that might have accompanied the strategy.
Senzel is the starting center fielder. Not Akiyama. The DH gives them more flexibility so they can run out Akiyama in left Senzel in center and either Castellanos or Winker in right with the other being the DH. Senzel is a beast tho and he was about average in center after having never played it in his life. He’s got plus plus speed so he could very easily develop into an above average defender there. Plus he rakes
I think Senzel could handle CF but he seems to be very fragile, maybe they want to save his body by giving him a lot of days at DH.
How is he fragile?
Thanks Mr Bell … already filled out your lineup card. No one knows who the starting CF is but David Bell
I couldn’t agree more!!!
No if Senzel was the every day outfielder they wouldn’t have spent the money for Shogo!
There’s no way castellanos or winker is in right that’s a defensive nightmare if it’s a lefty Aquino or Ervin is there and if it’s against a righty winker is in left shogo in center and senzel in right
I agree on Nick. Senzel will start most games in CF, but he also has the ability to slide down to 2B and 3B to spell Moose and Geno occasionally. Somewhat like Zobrist. Extremely valuable to the future of the team.
A lot of NL teams would be at a disadvantage if the DH was implemented so quickly but the Reds certainly stand out as one that shouldn’t be impacted at all. It might even make the Moose and Castellanos signings more valuable.
Dream scenario for the redlegs
As a Reds fan, I’m absolutely giddy about what the temporary DH would do for their offense. They have so many bats, and not enough spots on the field for them all.
I like the DH for the Reds in 2020.
1 CF Shogo L
2 1B Votto L
3 3B Suarez R
4 2B Mouse L
5 DH Castellanos R
6 RF Aquino R
7 LF Winker L
8 SS Galvis S
9 C Barnhart L
U Senzel R
They’ll want Senzel’s bat in the lineup everyday. I’d be surprised if Aquino makes the team.
Rosters will be expanded. Aquino is in for sure
Only buy 1
Winker won’t be in the outfield over Castellanos
Yup, I have far more faith in Castellanos than I do Winker. Winker has always been destined for the DH role.
Winker2
Votto 7
Senzel will start over Aquino
Laughable that senzel isn’t in there and is called a utility player defensively better that winker offensively better that Aquino
Senzel will start in CF.
Castellanos… 6 years in the league… 39 games as DH. He can play the field.
Most major leaguers can play in the field. Doesn’t make it optimal.
When the alternative is Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, and then your team is trying to trade you, sure. Also he balked when the Tigers tried to move him to first base.
I know it doesn’t line up with your cool story, but many players have been picked to DH ahead of Castellanos over the years… Sure VMart and Miggy get the brunt of the load. JD when he was there… But did you know…
These players were picked to play DH ahead of Castellanos.
2014 Pretty much everyone (14 players). Nick had 0 games at DH 145 games played
2015 Tyler Collins, JD and Rajaii Davis played more at DH
2016 McCann, Romine, Moya, Jones and Upton had more games at DH.
2017 Hicks, Avila, Machado played more as DH
2018 Victor Reyes
2019 Dixon, Stewart, and Beckham were DH more than Nick.
So, you might want to alter your sentence… not only when the alternative is VMart, Miggy and JD… it’s also when the alternative is Victor Reyes, Dixon, Beckham, Stewart, Hicks, Machado, Avila, Moya, Romine, McCann, Davis, and Tyler Collins.
BTW, a little inside information on Castellanos not wanting to play 1B… “I told them, ‘If you offer me an extension and show me that I’m a piece of the future, I’ll play first. I’ll even throw bullpens for you. But give me that security.”
“The big knock on me is defense, right?” Castellanos said. “I was drafted as an amateur shortstop and played third base for a year in the minor leagues. Then I had to play right field in Double-A, left field in Triple-A, made my debut as a left fielder and then thrown back at third base on a team that was expected to win the World Series (in 2014). When did I find myself in a position where I could focus on being really comfortable in one spot and not always having to learn something new while still producing and performing?”
I don’t think the Reds are worried about his defense, otherwise they wouldn’t have signed him. However, when it comes to who the Reds currently have on the roster, and positions they play, it seems that Castellanos would more than likely be the DH.
I have a feeling Castellanos will be playing quite a bit in the outfield. Just going by what has happened in the past.
They signed him because they were looking to improve their offense, which he absolutely can do so.
i think the “unplayable” card is overused, but its hard to deny he isnt a good fielder and their clear DH candidate
Why does everyone have such a hardon for Aquino? One month of crazy power when first called up then a K-machine the rest of the way. He’s destined for Louisville, folks. Face it.
He is basically Adam Duvall 2.0. 30 hr power, will hit .230, and doesn’t walk.
Aquino, 26, who just learned to hit in AAA with some special coaching help.
Aquino steals bases as well as shows HR power. Duvall, 31, has never shown good base stealing ability.
Aquino has the better OBP in the majors so far. I think good Reds coaching can teach him to hit that down and away breaking stuff, or lay off it if it is out of reach.
definitely had a hole there.
Duvall has never had the “prospect” status that Aquino acquired late in his minor league learning, being from another culture and language.
Duvall has proven to be Mickey Tettleton light. a Quad A or ML bench player.
Too early to make that judgement about Aquino. One superstar month, one less so, but he still got on and made good on 7 of 7 steal attempts.
I see no comparison here between Aquino and Duvall. But he will have to learn to either lay off that low and and away breaking stuff or hit breaking stuff that is close enough. My gut feel is that he may change his extreme stance and settle into a more relaxed approach with less motion and become a solid all-around Ofer.
Hope I’m right.
he’ll make the team easily with these extended rosters
Yup. He bashed a bunch of dingers until they figured him out. I’m a reds fan and it would be pretty neat if he turned out great but I don’t see it right now. He doesn’t even. Start on this team. (But he’s better than Schebler)
He’s of course worth a look, but I’m skeptical of him as well. Him as a bench bat is a good fit IMO.
I can see the Reds trading Schebler since he’s out of options
i feel Castellanos DHs while Aquino moves to a starting OF role. Senzel probably is the superutility guy
If senzel was going to be a super utility player the reds would of pushed for a semien or lindor trade
Just trade him to the Jays already. He would fit right in with that young core of position players so well.
Can’t. His dad didn’t play MLB.
Fine, we will have to settle for Fernando Tatis Jr. then. Lol jk I’m well aware he’s untouchable but god damnit would he ever complete that MLB Alumni infield. Vlad, Biggio, Bo and Tatis.
Yeah but you gotta take Pete Rose, Jr as well
You gotta deal, we might as well take Leiter too.
Sorry, Tatis Jr. stays in SD with Quantrill Jr. and Weathers Jr.
He said that Tatis was untouchable, but he was just trying to have something, that’s all, nothing wrong with that.
Lol I meant to put Quantrall not Leiter.
I don’t see Castellanos as the full-time DH. Jesse Winker would occupy that role against righties. He has a weak arm and mediocre range. At least Castellanos has an arm. Plus Castellanos is getting paid big money (with opt-out clauses), so you want to milk him for all he’s worth
Winker is the DH.