Sports 13 January 2025

Matt’s Take – Optimism is growing for the 2025 Cincinnati Reds

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

There is a foot of melting snow and slush surrounding my home; the Bengals didn’t make the playoffs; and I couldn’t be more ready for Reds Spring Training to begin.  

While the Reds haven’t made a massive splash in offseason moves, they have improved the roster, and I believe they still have one more decent addition to finalize before heading into Spring Training.  

While last season didn’t go as planned, I would be shocked to see this team have a worse record in 2025, as Tery Francona is now leading the team, and I would hope that the injury bug leaves the city in 2025.  

Let’s dive into some quick facts and comments:

• Important Dates: 2/10 Pitchers and Catchers Report, 2/17 Full Squad Workout, 2/22 First Spring Training Game vs. Guardians, 3/27 Reds Opening Day vs Giants

• Cincinnati had a record of 77-85 in 2024 with a ton of injuries.  The Reds currently have an O/U of 78.5. I think they are 2 games better in comparison to last season.  I’d bet the over if I was a betting man (I am)

• Major Additions: Brady Singer, Jose Trevino, Gavin Lux, Owen White, Terry Francona

• Major Subtractions: David Bell, Jonathan India, Fernando Cruz, Luke Maile (Addition by subtraction with Luke), Buck Farmer, Jakob Junis, Ty France.

Possible Rotation and Bullpen

• Rotation Mix – Hunter Greene, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Rhett Lowder, Andrew Abbott. 

• Bullpen Mix – Graham Ashcraft, Julian Aguiar, Alexis Diaz, Casey Legumina, Sam Moll, Luis Mey, Connor Phillips, Lyon Richardson, Tony Santillan, Carson Spiers, Brent Suter, Yosver Zulueta.

• Pitchers to keep an eye on – Chase Burns (Fast Track?), Chase Petty, Zach Maxwell.

Possible Starting Lineups as the Roster Stands

Vs RHP 
    •    McLain (2B)
    •    De La Cruz (SS)
    •    Steer (DH)
    •    Stephenson (C)
    •    Candelario (3B)
    •    Lux (LF)
    •    Encarnacion-Strand (1B)
    •    Friedl (CF)
    •    Fraley (RF)
    •    Bench – Marte, Espinal, Trevino, Fairchild
Vs LHP
    •    Friedl (RF?)
    •    De La Cruz (SS)
    •    McLain (CF?)
    •    Marte (DH)
    •    Fairchild (LF?)
    •    Espinal (2B)
    •    Trevino (C)
    •    Candelario (1B)
    •    Steer (3B)
    •    Bench – Fraley, Lux, Encarnacion-Strand, Stephenson.

Others Who Could Improve and Get Playing Time

• Will Benson, Rece Hinds, Tyler Callihan, Blake Dunn, Jacob Hurtubise.

Clear Needs

• Outfield Power Bat, Defined Positions, Clarity on Pitching Roles, Extended Bullpen Help, Young Players to Shine, Injuries to be Limited.

Way Too Early Predictions

Reds MVP – De La Cruz
BA Leader – McLain
HR Leader – De La Cruz
OBP Leader – Steer
Wins Leader – Greene
ERA Leader – Singer
Strikeout Leader – Greene
Bullpen ERA Leader - Moll.

Add new comment

This is not for publication.
This is not for publication.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
Article comments are not posted immediately to the Web site. Each submission must be approved by the Web site editor, who may edit content for appropriateness. There may be a delay of 24-48 hours for any submission while the web site editor reviews and approves it. Note: All information on this form is required. Your telephone number and email address is for our use only, and will not be attached to your comment.