GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds begin their Cactus League schedule Saturday with a pair of games — with one split squad at the team’s home stadium in Goodyear against the Cleveland Guardians and another game on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers.
After reporting dates and full-squad workouts, the start of Cactus League games is the next big signifier that baseball season is coming. The Reds have 31 Cactus League games leading up to the season opener March 27.
With eyes toward Opening Day, here’s another look at how the roster could shake out when the Reds host the San Francisco Giants in the first game of the 2025 regular season. And all of this, of course, depends on health.
• Catchers (2): Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino
This is easy. Stephenson is the starter and Trevino will likely play more than a typical backup. The former Platinum Glove winner has already made an impact with his work with pitchers and catchers this spring. The acquisition of Trevino might be one of the team’s most underrated moves of the offseason. Trevino had a sterling reputation coming to Cincinnati, and he’s done nothing but enhance that since joining the team.
• Infielders (6): 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 2B Matt McLain, SS Elly De La Cruz, IF Santiago Espinal, IF Gavin Lux
Manager Terry Francona has said he’d like to have McLain playing only second base, but his versatility could have him playing other spots — shortstop, outfield — if the need arises. That said, the need hasn’t occurred yet. As it stands, De La Cruz and McLain would likely be the first names written down in each day’s lineup. Candelario and Encarnacion-Strand will likely play first and third, with those roles becoming more clear as spring progresses. Espinal is a valuable backup anywhere on the field, and last season showed his bat also provides value when he gets consistent at-bats. Where will Lux play? That’s been the question since the Reds traded for him, but his bat will be in the lineup as much as possible. So far, he’s worked mostly at second base and third base.
• Outfielders (5): IF/OF Spencer Steer, OF Austin Hays, OF TJ Friedl, OF Stuart Fairchild, OF Jake Fraley
If things go as planned, the Reds could see Friedl back in center with Hays, signed to a one-year deal, in one of the two corners.
Steer has been slowed by a shoulder issue this spring but is expected to begin throwing soon, Francona said. He’ll start the Cactus League season as a DH, Francona said, and could play first base and be told not to throw until he’s ready. Steer would have to go through that progression to play left, but there’s more than a month until Opening Day, so that’s not out of the question.
Jake Fraley hit .277 with a .716 OPS across 382 plate appearances last year. (Katie Stratman / Imagn Images)
That leaves the left-handed hitting Fraley as the one left-handed-hitting outfielder on the roster if Lux isn’t in the mix in the outfield. Fairchild is right-handed and out of options.
This scenario has Will Benson beginning the season in the minors, but Francona said he’d get a lot of playing time this spring.
One player to watch is Rule 5 pick Cooper Bowman, who has played second base, shortstop, third base and center field as a pro. He recently got his first baseman’s mitt and is working there, too. He could also find himself in either of the corner outfield spots. Bowman stole 43 bases between Double A and Triple A last season. For Bowman to remain a Red, the team would have to keep the right-handed hitter on the roster all season.
• Starters (5): RHP Hunter Greene, RHP Nick Martinez, LHP Nick Lodolo, RHP Brady Singer, LHP Andrew Abbott
Not to be a broken record, but everything depends on health, and this time of year, that means keeping a close eye on pitchers. Abbott is behind the others in his progression through spring training after battling the same shoulder issues that prematurely ended his 2024 season. There is still plenty of time for Abbott to catch up, especially with an early off day in the season that allows the team to push back its need for a fifth starter beyond the fifth game of the year. If Abbott is not ready, Graham Ashcraft could win this spot.
Ashcraft had a rough 2024, going 5-5 with a 5.24 ERA in 15 starts for the Reds. The 27-year-old has looked good in camp and is getting the nod to start against the Brewers on Saturday. With Ashcraft’s power stuff, it’s always been possible he could move to the bullpen full time.
Though right-hander Rhett Lowder had a great start to his big-league career at the end of 2024, he’s been slowed by shoulder soreness. Lowder, though, has resumed pitching and Francona said he’s feeling good, which could hasten his return. Still, the Reds might choose to play it slow with their top pick in the 2023 draft and not rush anything — either his path to the big leagues or back to pitching in any game.
Carson Spiers is an option as well.
• Relievers (8): RHP Alexis Díaz, RHP Emilio Pagán, RHP Tony Santillan, RHP Scott Barlow, RHP Graham Ashcraft, LHP Taylor Rogers, LHP Sam Moll, LHP Brent Suter
Díaz is the team’s closer, and the Reds added the veterans Barlow and Rogers this offseason to help bolster the backend of the bullpen.
Lefties Moll and Suter return, joining Rogers in the bullpen.
Santillan is out of options, and this is his best chance to start the season with the Reds and establish himself as a back-end bullpen piece.
Others to watch in this competition include non-roster invitees Ian Gibaut, Bryan Shaw and Josh Staumont, all right-handers, and lefty Alex Young.
Prospects Luis Mey and Zach Maxwell have drawn interest early in camp, both throwing 99 mph in live batting practice sessions.
(Top photo of Hunter Greene: Frank Bowen IV / The Enquirer / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
