With MLB Opening Day only 24 days away and spring training games steadily underway, baseball season is right around the corner. Over the next month, we will preview all 30 MLB teams for the 2020 season leading up to Opening Day on March 26th. Next up, the Cincinnati Reds 2020 preview. Check out the preview for the Chicago White Sox here.
The Cincinnati Reds went 75-87 in 2019, extending their playoff drought to 6 years. Despite missing the playoffs again, the Reds had their most wins since 2014.
Star Joey Votto is finally starting to show his age as 2019 saw him register the lowest OPS of his career. Replacing him in the heart of the Reds lineup is Eugenio Suarez who built on his breakout 2018 by slugging 49 home runs in 2019. Rookie Nick Senzel had a solid first season in the majors and will be looking to break out in his second season. Aristides Aquino made an unbelievable impact in only 56 games last season. With 19 home runs and 47 RBI in just over 200 at-bats, Aquino will try and extend that impact over a full season.
The Reds rotation had three solid contributors last season in Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Anthony DeSclafani. The Reds acquired Trevor Bauer at the trade deadline but he was ineffective with his new team in 2019. A return to form from Bauer could make this one of the better rotations in the National League, especially after they added Wade Miley in free agency.
The bullpen was an issue at times last season with Raisel Iglesias blowing six saves, Michael Lorenzen and Robert Stephenson blowing four each, and Amir Garrett blowing three. The Reds added Pedro Strop from the rival Chicago Cubs to help stabilize the back end of the bullpen.
The Reds also added infielder Mike Moustakas and outfielder Nick Castellanos on multi-year contracts. Moustakas is lining up as the every day second baseman and insurance at third in Suarez is not ready for Opening Day after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason. Castellanos adds another big bat in the outfield and Japanese signing Shogo Akiyama will look to make an impact after being posted this offseason.
The Cincinnati Reds are looking to end their playoff drought and give Joey Votto another chance to compete on baseball’s biggest stage. To do that, however, they must get through the buzzsaw that will be the NL Central in 2020. The Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers have all been to the playoffs in the last two seasons and boast very talented rosters. The Reds need a return to form from Joey Votto and more consistency from the bullpen to challenge for a playoff spot in a crowded National League Wild Card race.
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