This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
I’ve been away from Arizona for a few days to get some time at home in Cincinnati, but the activity at Reds camp certainly hasn’t stopped.
The club opened Spring Training with several spots up for grabs -- including three on the bench, shortstop and the outfield. Recent cuts have helped bring some of the picture into focus.
Let’s take a look at some of the key position players still vying for a place on the 26-man Opening Day roster.
1B/3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand
No one has had a better spring than the 23-year-old prospect (ranked No. 7 in the organization by MLB Pipeline).
Encarnacion-Strand leads the Reds in hits, home runs, RBIs and OPS. The Reds have been highly impressed with his maturity and hitting approach and are giving him a long look, much like they did with Jonathan India at second base in 2021.
Encarnacion-Strand’s ability to make the team could be linked to whether or not veteran first baseman Joey Votto is ready for the start of the season. Votto, who is coming back from left shoulder surgery, made his spring debut on Sunday.
SS José Barrero
Some offseason hitting adjustments were slow to carry over into consistent results early in camp for Barrero, who needs to show he can hit to claim the starting shortstop job over veteran Kevin Newman. But Barrero has begun hitting recently and has had some good games. This will be one of the more interesting decisions manager David Bell and the front office make. Newman will get a bench role if Barrero becomes the starter.
UT Chad Pinder
A non-roster invite, the former A’s veteran hasn’t hit well in camp. But Pinder might get a nod based on his track record and because of his versatility. Not only can he play anywhere in the outfield, Pinder can also play anywhere in the infield. With Nick Solak getting optioned to Triple-A Louisville, there is one fewer competitor for the spot.
OF Will Benson
Acquired in early February in a trade with the Guardians, Benson has done a nice job at the plate and in the field. He has hits in most of his appearances and can play all three outfield spots well defensively. With Nick Senzel appearing unlikely to return from a toe injury in time for Opening Day, Benson seems to have put himself on an inside track.
OF Henry Ramos
Another non-roster invite, Ramos was batting .571 (8-for-14) in eight games before departing camp to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. One issue for the 31-year-old -- who played professionally in Korea last year -- is whether or not he will get enough at-bats in the tournament to help his cause in making the Reds.
OF Stuart Fairchild
Fairchild also could benefit from Senzel’s absence, but it hasn’t been a robust spring at the plate. What he does have going for him is his strong showing near the end of last season, when Fairchild hit four homers with a .999 OPS in his final 29 games. He can play all three outfield spots and brings speed as well.
INF/OF Richie Martin
A former Orioles infielder who is in Reds camp as a non-roster player, Martin has quietly put together a nice spring. Cincinnati has given him looks in left field as well, which could help him make the team. Like with Pinder, Solak being sent down certainly helps Martin’s cause.
INF Matt Reynolds
The Reds were very happy with Reynolds’ body of work after he came over from the Mets last season, especially his defensive versatility. The issue this spring has been health. Minor strains in both quadriceps have kept Reynolds out of games for most of camp.
INF Jason Vosler
A left-handed-hitting infielder is something the Reds wanted during the offseason, and Vosler was brought in as a non-roster player to try to fill that void. Although he’s hit a couple of homers, Vosler hasn’t had an exceptional camp at the plate. In addition to his primary position of third base, Vosler has also gotten significant time at first base, and he could be another alternative if Votto isn’t ready.