[DG18]

2018 Cincinnati Reds Roster:
(Age, Bats/Throws, 2017 Stats)

Starting Pitchers:
Luis Castillo (25, R, 89.1 IP, 98 K, 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP)
Sal Romano (24, R, 87.0 IP, 73 K, 4.45 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)
Tyler Mahle (23, R, 20.0 IP, 14 K, 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
Homer Bailey (31, 91.0 IP, 67 K, 6.43 ERA, 1.69 WHIP)
Yovani Gallardo (32, 130.2 IP, 94 K, 5.72 ERA, 1.52 WHIP with SEA)

Last season, Luis Castillo broke out in his 15 starts, posting a 3.12 ERA and striking out over a batter an inning. However, it is a bit unsettling to have an ace with so little experience under his belt. Romano and Mahle both have high upsides, but also lack experience. The back-end of the rotation features two over-the-hill veterans, as both Homer Bailey and Yovani Gallardo struggled in 2017. Bailey was well above average before his injury in 2014, but got hit hard last year after missing nearly 2 full seasons. Waiting in the minors are lefties Cody Reed and Amir Garrett, but both had trouble while pitching with the big league club last year.

Relief Pitchers:
Jimmy Herget (24, R, 32.1 IP, 28 K, 3.06 ERA 1.21 WHIP with AAA Louisville)
Austin Brice (25, R, 32.2 IP, 26 K, 4.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)
Kevin Quackenbush (29, R, 26.1 IP, 23 K, 7.86 ERA, 1.82 WHIP with SD)
Ben Rowen (29, R, 63.1 IP, 52 K, 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP with AAA Las Vegas (NYM))
Wandy Peralta (26, L, 64.2 IP, 57 K, 3.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP)
Jared Hughes (32, R, 59.2 IP, 48 K, 3.02 ERA, 1.22 WHIP with MIL)
Raisel Iglesias (28, R, 76.0 IP, 92 K, 2.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 28 SV)

The bullpen has more question marks than any other aspect of this team, as only 3 relievers tossed more than 40 MLB innings in 2017. Ben Rowen and Kevin Quackenbush were added over the offseason, and while each has had flashes of success in the past, both had rough 2017 campaigns. The back end of the bullpen looks to be serviceable, as Raisel Iglesias became an above-average closer since leaving the starting rotation early in 2016. Jared Hughes had another strong season in Milwaukee, and southpaw Wandy Peralta pitched well in his first full major league season. Help is also on the way for our bullpen, as Michael Lorenzen (4.45 ERA in 2017) should return from a shoulder injury in a few weeks. Veteran David Hernandez was also picked up over the offseason, and while hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2015, he has the potential to be a solid reliever once he returns from injury in a few weeks.

Catchers:
Tucker Barnhart (27, S, .270/.347/.403, 7 HR, 1.9 WAR)
Devin Mesoraco (29, R, .213/.321/.390, 6 HR, 0.5 WAR)

Tucker Barnhart has taken over as the Reds starting catcher over the last two years with Mesoraco missing significant time with injuries, and the 27 year old switch hitter has played well behind the plate. Barnhart probably won't become an All Star at this point in his career, but he is definitely good enough to be a major league starter. A much bigger question mark is Devin Mesoraco, who has done very little since his big year in 2014. Perhaps Mesoraco can still be a good hitter, but after missing so much time with injuries, it seems unlikely that he can handle the workload of being a starting catcher.

Infielders:
1B Joey Votto (34, L, .320/.454/.578, 36 HR, 6.8 WAR)
2B Scooter Gennett (27, L, .295/.342/.531, 27 HR, 3.5 WAR)
2B/SS Dilson Herrera (24, L, .264/.312/.397, 7 HR, with AAA Louisville)
IF Cliff Pennington (33, S, .253/.306/.330, 3 HR, 0.0 WAR with LAA)
SS Jose Peraza (23, R, .259/.297/.324, 5 HR, -0.1 WAR)
3B Eugenio Suarez (26, R, .260/.367/.461, 26 HR, 3.9 WAR)

Joey Votto's huge 2017 season was no surprise, as he has been regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball for many years by now. A much bigger surprise was the breakout performances turned in by Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez, who combined to hit over 50 home runs. One of the biggest holes in the lineup may be at shortstop, as Jose Peraza did not build off his cup of coffee in 2016. Peraza only managed to draw 20 walks in 518 plate appearances, and while he was able to steal 23 bases, good baserunning is wasted if you can't get on base.

Outfielders:
Adam Duvall (29, R, .249/.301/.480, 31 HR, 1.6 WAR)
Billy Hamilton (27, S, .247/.299/.335, 4 HR, 0.5 WAR)
Scott Schebler (27, L, .233/.307/.484, 30 HR, 1.4 WAR)
Jesse Winker (24, L, .298/.375/.529, 7 HR, 1.0 WAR)
Phil Ervin (25, R, .259/.317/.448, 3 HR, 0.3 WAR)

Billy Hamilton may be the one of the fastest men in baseball, but his disappointing offensive performance in 2017 makes it hard to leave him in the lineup on a daily basis. While Hamilton is still a great defender in center field, his bat has never quite developed. Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler each bring great power from the corner outfield spots, but even more exciting may be Jesse Winker, who hit the ball very well in limited time last year. If Winker continues to produce, a move may need to be made to give him more playing time. For now, the trio of Duvall, Schebler, and Winker will each get chances until it is more clear on who should be in the starting lineup.

Disabled List:
SP Rookie Davis (24, R, 24.0 IP, 20 K, 8.63 ERA)- Out 8 weeks
SP Anthony DeSclafani (27, R, 123.1 IP, 105 K, 3.28 ERA in 2016)- Out 2 months
SP Brandon Finnegan (24, L, 13.0 IP, 16 K, 4.15 ERA)- Out 2 weeks
RP David Hernandez (32, R, last pitched in majors with Arizona in 2015)- Out 2 weeks
RP Michael Lorenzen (26, R, 83.0 IP, 80 K, 4.45 ERA)- Out 2 weeks
RP Kevin Shackleford (28, R, 30.2 IP, 38 K, 4.70 ERA)- Out 1-2 weeks

Top prospects:
3B Nick Senzel (22, AAA)
SP Tyler Mahle (23, MLB)
LF Taylor Trammell (20, A+)
SS Jose Israel Garcia (19, R)
SP Hunter Greene (18, A)
SP Jacob Heatherly (19, R)
SP Vladimir Gutierrez (22, AA)
2B Shedric Long (22, AA)
2B Jeter Downs (19, A+)
SP Antonio Santillan (20, A+)
CF Jose Siri (22, A+)
CF Stuart Fairchild (22, A+)
C Tyler Stephenson (21, A+)
RF Aristides Aquino (23, AA)
SS Alex Blandino (25, AAA)
SP Rookie Davis (24, MLB DL)
C Chris Okey (23, A+)
SP Jose Rafael Lopez (24, AA)
1B Nick Longhi (22, AA)
SP Scott Moss (23, AA)