GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Who will be the 26 to open 2026 for the Reds?
Beginning with the arrivals of pitchers and catchers to Spring Training on Monday, the work for manager Terry Francona, his coaches and the front office begins in determining who will make the team when the regular season opens on March 26 vs. the Red Sox.
Trying to predict the makeup of the team six weeks ahead is no easy task. Injuries or acquisitions could alter plans along the way. But here is a first attempt at predicting who will make Cincinnati's Opening Day roster. We will revisit this again as camp goes forward.
Catcher (2): Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino
The same duo that was behind the plate last season is back. Stephenson is the longest-tenured Red and Trevino is one of the veteran leaders.
Infielders (4): Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Sal Stewart
This will be an important year for McLain, who struggled offensively after missing all of 2024 recovering from left shoulder surgery. His quality defense, baserunning and personality make him a favorite of Francona's.
A two-time All-Star, De La Cruz played all 162 games last season but was hampered by a left quadriceps strain during the second half. After hitting 18 homers in the first half, he hit only four after the All-Star break. Having lineup protection and good health could foreshadow a big season.
Hayes, who was acquired at the Trade Deadline, will provide strong defense after winning his second Gold Glove in 2025.
The organization's No. 1 prospect (No. 22 overall), Stewart will have a shot at building off of his September callup, when he slugged five home runs for the month to lead the club. But this could be a position that sees plenty of mixing and matching, and the 22-year-old can also play third base and second base.
Outfielders (6): TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, JJ Bleday, Dane Myers, Will Benson
Six seems like one outfielder too many, but Steer – the likely left fielder much of the time – will also serve as a utility player since he can play multiple infield positions. Friedl will be the regular center fielder, while Marte will get to be a full-time right fielder after switching from third base midway last season.
As for the bench roles, Bleday and Benson are corner outfielders but also left-handed hitters that could provide a different look from the right-handed-heavy regular lineup. Myers is a true backup center fielder for Friedl, but he can play all three spots. Keep an eye on Tyler Callihan (Reds' 2025 No. 19 prospect), however. Callihan can play outfield and infield, and he could overtake one of three backups with a great camp.
Designated hitter (1): Eugenio Suárez
Back with the club he spent seven seasons with from 2015-21, Suárez will be needed to provide big power and lineup protection for De La Cruz after he slugged 49 homers last season. He will also get time at first base and his normal position, third base, when it's needed.
Starting pitchers (5): Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder
Lowder (Cincinnati's 2025 No. 5 prospect, MLB Pipeline's No. 86 overall) will be competing for the fifth spot with several young pitchers after missing all of 2025 with right elbow and forearm and left oblique injuries. The club will likely need all of the candidates for that final spot at some point during the season.
Relief pitchers (8): Emilio Pagán (closer), Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips, Chase Burns
The group was essentially rebuilt with stronger lefty options in Ferguson and Burke being added. The "controversial" pick here is Burns, who will be battling for the rotation's fifth spot in what should be a very tough competition. His place in the bullpen – where he finished last season after returning from the injured list – would fill a swingman role that Nick Martinez had over the past two seasons.